Examine your thought life: 8 things you need to be thinking about
By EEW Magazine Online Editors // Spiritual // Advice
Chances are, right now, several things are competing for your time and attention, and you have trouble focusing sometimes. You don’t exactly know or understand where God is taking you and what specific goals you are called, designed and purposed to reach.
None of us has all the answers and keys to life. Nor do we have the strategies, methods and information we need to do everything we were put on earth to do. Still, we can put measures in place to keep ourselves accountable and moving in the right direction.
If you are unclear about the future or how to master your circumstances, here are 8 things you should be thinking about and working toward right now.
#1 Growing your faith. When you are too distracted with the cares of life, you miss valuable moments to grow and mature in your faith. Devote time to reading Scripture, praying, and worshiping God daily. These actions will develop you, grow you up, prepare and position you to walk in your calling.
#2 Managing your relationships. Whether you’re married or single, a parent or not, there are key relationships that require maintenance. Be sure to make time for those you care about and make investments in the people that matter. We are only as successful as the relationships we cultivate.
#3 Taking care of your health. We often take our health for granted and treat our bodies poorly. But if you’re sick and weak, you cannot be as productive as you need to be. Make a commitment to steward your health. That means eating better and exercising regularly. You don’t have to make drastic changes all at once, but a little bit of effort goes a long way.
#4 Limiting social media time. Many people spend way too much time online, focusing on the lives of strangers and paying attention to drama. Work hard not to do this. Otherwise, you will expend too much energy on the wrong things and miss out on a chance to grow and develop.
#5 Goal-setting and planning. What do you want to do in the next few weeks, months, or even years? What dream has God planted in your heart? Get to work on it. Time is ticking. Begin setting short-term and long-term goals. Start praying, planning and strategizing now. Greatness awaits you. Get busy!
#6 Clearing space. Everything that was relevant to you and healthy for you yesterday may not hold the same relevance or benefit today. Carve out space to evaluate the people, things and opportunities that are taking up your time. Have you outgrown certain relationships? Are you stagnant in particular roles? Do you need to move on and clear your space to make room for growth? Pray, assess, then take appropriate action.
#7 Improving in specific areas. Working on yourself takes a lot of time and intentionality. What habits do you need to break? What can you identify that needs improvement within you? What new skills do you want and need to learn to better position yourself for success in the areas you’re called to operate? Self-evaluation is a prerequisite to self-improvement. Without it, you will not make any progress.
#8 Serving others. Greatness is serving. Giving of yourself to benefit others is the will of God for you. With this in mind, ask God to reveal your purpose, which is tied to your passion and talent. As you’re thinking about what motivates and drives you, your heart’s desire must be to work to serve those in need. A servant’s heart will carry you far, fuel your work, and ultimately, please God.
Examine your thought life today. View your mind as valuable real estate, and don’t let just anyone or anything reside in your property. After all, you become what you think about!
