Not everyone came into this world without difficulties, calamities, or disappointments and because of that truth, some have allowed these same things to plague their life—all their life. But now is the time to embrace the good that was prepared for each of us.
I was blessed to have parents that loved me and provided the things I needed to make it growing up. They did the best they could with what they had. And I must admit that even though they were strict and I felt as if I was in prison—as an adult, I’m glad they raised me as they did. After all, a little discipline never killed anyone.
If the truth be told, when I left home to live my life is where things got really chaotic and dysfunctional for me. I learned that everyone didn’t love me—let alone liked me. I was lied on, betrayed, and misused more times than not. And because of these battles and struggles I faced, I turned my heart inward and built walls around me to protect myself from people. I trusted no one and made no friends. After all, my philosophy back then was if you let them in—they’re gonna hurt you. I was conditioned—by bad experiences and from bad actors to live my life lonely, rejected, guarded, and sad most all the time.
I know I’m not the only person in the world that has felt like this most days too. Like in a game of contact sports—it’s time to call a “Time Out”! Evil had set out to destroy my life and was using me to help. I want to encourage you today to take a “Time Out”—and Shake Yourself Loose” from this pattern. As a man thinketh in his heart—so is he. It’s time to regroup, take a deep breath, and purpose to get back in the game of life—to win it!
In order to be successful, you must change your mindset and understand that this way of living is not good for anyone. You don’t have to continue building walls around yourself. Instead, you can trust God to keep you from those who mean you harm, while opening your heart to those God has placed in your life.
God wants us to prosper and be in good health. So, I challenge each of us to call a “Time-Out” and “Shake Yourselves Loose” from this way of life and get back in the game to win it; remembering that God will see you through! (Read Philippians 4:6-10)
