I struggle with patience. I really struggle with patience when I am aware of something good. That can be a bad recipe. Right now I am really struggling as I am expecting 2013 to be an epic year for my family.
I know it won’t happen overnight, and there are many steps we’ll need to take before we reach the” epicness” of our year. So now my job is to show patience, is to not get frustrated through the process, to not get too high or too low based on circumstances. How in the world is somebody who struggles with patience going to do this?
Epic things are coming
There are a lot of things that I want to accomplish this year. I’ll be doing some things that will put my family in a better position. I’ll continue to grow my blogging platform in an attempt to encourage more families. I’ll complete a few projects that will be great resources for my blog readers. My very first book will be available later this year. All very exciting stuff.
One of the things I’m most excited about is a project my wife and I will do together. I am REALLY excited about this! We have owned businesses together, served in the same ministry, but never worked on something, besides our marriage, where we’ll be working hand-in-hand almost daily. We hope fully expect many marriages to be blessed through it.
The challenge of being patient
I wish everything I was working on could be accomplished instantly. Some days are challenging as I focus on what it looks like today. It definitely challenges my patience. Yet, I know if I am being tested or challenged in an area, it is an area God intends for me to grow, so I can be of better use to Him.
There are a few things I am working on to help me be patient, yet keep making progress toward all I expect to accomplish this year. I know I am not the only person who struggles with this, so I am sharing the steps I’m taking.
1) Prepare for a long race.
I am not Usain Bolt. My finish line will not be reached in 10 seconds. It is more like an Triathlon. Therefore, I am preparing my self to endure. I am preparing to use various vehicles to get there. Most important, I am steadily moving forward. We have to have the mindset that it will take time, but if we take one step after another we’ll get there.
2) Have a laser-like focus.
There are going to be a lot of things, that can get me off track. And they may not be bad things. Regardless, if they are not helping me to get where I’m going then they may get cut out. I will say, “no”, more than I have, and sacrifice more than I have, in order to accomplish what I set out to without unnecessary delay. We have to focus on what is most important.
3) Change some habits.
What I have been doing will probably not get me to where I am going. I have to make some changes. Changes that will help me to reach my goals, but also changes that will prepare me to be able to handle. Sometimes, like a good parent, God holds back things that He knows we are not ready to handle. I want to not only accomplish these things, but be able to manage them.
4) Remember the future.
Sounds kind of like what Michael J. Fox went through in Back to the Future huh? There will be challenges on any journey we take. Many times the tasks necessary are hard, or things we do not want to do. That is why we need to remember the future. We need to remember what we are working toward, how it will change our lives and those around us, and remember why we have to it. When you can constantly do that, those hard things will not stop you.
5) Reward yourself.
I just finished reading Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover. He breaks down the journey to financial peace in baby steps. Each step brings you closer and closer to a great financial life. Accomplishing each step is huge in itself and should be celebrated. Each step you reach, reward yourself. You don’t have to go all out, save that for reaching the finish line, but do something to reward and encourage yourself to keep moving.
I hope you have big things on tap for this year as well. I hope you are working on something that will change the life of your family for the better. I understand what you may be going through if so. I encourage you to keep in mind the 5 steps I listed below. You will need patience, focus, and endurance. These steps can help you. I am rooting for you!
Question: Are you excited about this year and the things to come? Share something you are excited about accomplishing for you and your family in the comment section below.