Train Your Mind.

I am a black belt in tae kwon do. Well, I became one when I was 9 years old, so I feel like it still counts.

Throughout the two year process of becoming a black belt, we slowly received different color belts. White, yellow, green, blue, red, etc. Piece by piece we became a little tougher, mentally and physically and had new belts to show for our work.

It took time and practice and patience. And resilience.

I recently heard a co-worker say that it takes you training your mind to get you off the couch and into the gym and then you build the physical toughness once you get into the gym. But you have to convince your mind to take you there.

We can’t just hop into a boxing match without some training first. We can’t run a half marathon without training. We can’t become black belts in tae kwon do without putting in the work.

But here’s the thing: people often don’t see the work that goes into the end result. No one sees you training for a boxing match or a marathon or any of the things life throws at us.

So we lose motivation to train. We forget the habits we’ve formed.

That’s how I feel sometimes about my relationship with Jesus. I get distracted from spending time with Him. I don’t wake up early enough to read His Word before going to work. I become selfish and shift my purpose from what God has designed for me to a worldly view of what I want.

We need to spend time in His Word and in fellowship with other believers. And we need it consistently.

And we need accountability. Who is checking in on you? Who is cheering you on for the betterment of His kingdom?

This week, I challenge you to recruit a friend (or two) to have as an accountability partner as you train your mind to be hyper focused on Jesus. To be resilient in the obstacles life throws at us.

Dear Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the freedom we have in You and the freedom we have to worship You. We have the opportunity to seek Your face daily, but sometimes we fall short and clutter our time with things that are not eternal. Remind us of our purpose and the pruning that comes with removing distractions and opening ourselves to knowing You deeper. Our hope is to one day enter through Heaven’s gates and hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Thank You for loving and choosing us.

xo,

msv