decide to go the distance
DESCRIPTION
Make Your Mind Up and Move Forward with your goals. Be Encouraged!TRANSCRIPT
Our 16-year son is gearing up for
another great track season.
He is a gold medal hurdler in
high school, AAU and USATF.
We are so proud of his
accomplishments with track
and his medals adorn his
bedroom wall, reminding him
daily of the rewards awaiting
him at every finish line. The
athlete we see now is a far cry
from the long distance runner
earlier in his career. Watching
him then struggle to complete
the 1500M run was heart
wrenching some days. He
despised track and it showed.
As parents, we made him stick it
out and instead altered his
events until his true race was
discovered.
Now, he easily excels past his
competitors and through the
ribbon. He goes the distance.
He made up in his mind that he
can finish every race and earn
the rewards.
When tough times arise and
discouragement tries to set in, I
remind myself of his dedication and
take heart to what’s in front me.
As we move further into the year, we
must not lose sight of goals set.
We must go the distance. Recall your
resolve, your reason to finish. What did
you decide to do differently, better or
begin in 2012? Are you really
accomplishing this? Have you
stopped or reached a plateau?
Decide to go the distance.
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Let’s gain insight from Ruth. She lost her husband
and made a decision to go the distance. In Ruth 1,
her mother in law, Naomi, asked Ruth and her sister
in law to join her as she traveled back to Israel.
Naomi knew that God was blessing the land of
Israel with good crops. Naomi later changed her
mind and released them of their obligation; they
were free to go their own ways. Ruth had decided
to go the distance. Naomi still urged her to turn
back, retreat and go her own way. Ruth had
decided to go the distance.
In Ruth 1:18, ‘Naomi saw that Ruth had MADE UP
HER MIND and she COULD NOT BE PERSUADED
OTHERWISE, so she stopped urging her.’ Ruth had
decided to go the distance. We all know how the
story ends with Ruth meeting Boaz and living in
abundance. This was because; Ruth had decided
to go the distance.
Now you decide to go the distance not to gain
abundance only, but to gain accomplishment.
Decide to go the distance because what’s ahead
is greater than what is behind. Don’t stop now for
you will have to start all over from the beginning.
Don’t let what you have gained fall to waste; keep
striving towards your goals. Go the distance.
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Make up your mind! Decide first that forward is where you want to go. If your
past were so great and rewarding, you wouldn’t be trying to change it now. When
we vacillate, we lose. When doubt rises up, push it down with persistence. Look at
yourself in the mirror and say, “Enough already, make up your mind and let’s get on
with life.” This will keep you stable and give you strength to go the distance.
Be Encouraged! This is the hardest step to take. Once you make up your mind
to move forward, it gets easier. Soon you will look up and see your prize in front of you.
Say This Out Loud! “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:18, KJV
Share the journey with a friend. We all know there is strength in numbers.
Accountability keeps you focused. Share your goals with someone who won’t cut
you any slack or hand you any tissues. This is not the friend who agrees with every-
thing you say or do. This is the real friend who wants what’s best for you and will help
keep you on track.
Be Encouraged! Count yourself blessed if you have a true friend like that. Real
friends are your siblings born to different parents; they will never be replaced in your
life. Allow them to hold you accountable as you go the distance.
Say This Out Loud! “You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens
another.” Proverbs 27:17, Message Bible
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Persuasion is Contagious! When you are completely persuaded no matter
what comes up it can’t stand in your way. What’s better, everyone around you
knows that you are completely persuaded. Train yourself and others around to only
speak positive about your journey. Reminders of your past should only serve as fuel
for the future.
Be encouraged! Your doubters soon fade away once they learn that you are
serious. Furthermore, those around you will show their support because they know
you are serious. Decide to go the distance, all the way.
Say This Out Loud! “When God approves of your life, even your enemies will
end up shaking your hand.” Proverbs 16:7 , Message Bible
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Be Encouraged is a publication of Assigned to Encourage!™Design and layout provided courtesy of Integrity Designs
All written materials are the original work of the author. Copyright restricted. All rights reserved. Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible - various versions.
Kira McConico’s universal assignment is to deliver encouragement to the hopeless through her Assigned To Encourage! ™
Words are powerful and can be spoken into dark times and bring light to life's situations.
In addition, Kira is an inspirational speaker. Her target audience is young women ages 17-30. She frequently speaks at area schools, domestic violence shelters and other organizations to encourage young women to pursue their dreams no matter their past.
While her target audience is young women, the message of encourage-ment is for everyone!
For booking information visit: www.assignedtoencourage.com.