Giving youth pastors the tools they need to make and shape disciples.

The One Word You Have To Say Before Anything Will Change

11 · 14 · 18

Unacceptable. That’s it. Is whatever you want to quit unacceptable?

Is it:

your weight

a bad habit like smoking or dipping

an addiction

a practice

a mindset

your words

Ask yourself:

Why is it unacceptable?

If you really want to quit, you have to have a foundation of why. This reason can be grounded in a societal standard, a basic human quality, science or a spiritual truth. The why is what you have to believe in, deeply.

Who is it unacceptable to?

Make a list. Who does this unacceptable thing affect? Your name should be at the top of the list.

You can’t quit anything because someone else says you have to. It doesn’t matter if it’s unacceptable to them, it has to be acceptable to you. You can take others wishes into consideration, but ultimately you have to resolve the issue in your own heart and mind.

That is not to say that our decisions don’t affect other people. Maybe, whatever we are trying to quit does or will affect other people. Who is your thing unacceptable to? Why? Is it worth quitting for them?

What will the cost be? 

Does this thing that is unacceptable affect your job, your relationships, your health, your future? Most likely. There is always a cost and sometimes that cost I high. What is the highest cost you will pay if you continue?

These questions are the personal crucible we must all work through if we are to be rid of the things that hold us back. If we want to be in position to help others, we have to free ourselves.

Related Posts

Halfway is a hidden opportunity

We’re just a few days away from hitting the halfway mark of the year and I think it’s a good time to reflect. Here are a few questions I’m asking myself to get my brain juices flowing as I move into the second half of the year. + What were my...

read more

We’re No Heroes

“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight This multi-layered statement has been rolling around my brain like a pair of sneakers in a dryer. I recently heard the news of Pastor Tony Evans,...

read more