Getting Back on Track

I seem to be a bit behind in my writing and reading of other friends' blog posts these days.  It's been busy, I've been tired, and just can't seem to get my thoughts together.  I've said that a lot over the past few months haven't I?  Well, even if I haven't written it down here, I've said it in my mind aplenty.  But I'm getting better. Not that there is anything wrong with me...just haven't had the get up and go that I used to have. It got up and went.

It's been too hot here in my home state of Florida to have much energy for anything during the summer months. I keep saying when it cools down I will do such and such...or when I retire I will take care of that, or go there, or build that little guest cabin,
or finish my front porch, or plant those flowers and take better care of them than I have in the past.  Good intentions...we all have them.  Dreams, schemes, and plans for a better life, a great retirement, a wonderful vacation, more friends and fellowship, more time for home and family.

(all signs are courtesy of Ben's Country Woodshop)

Our intentions are always good. The ideas are noble and wonderful.  The dreams are full of marvelous hopes and unselfish desires. And then it seems that things happen to prevent us from doing the things we had been striving so hard to achieve.  Unexpected illnesses, loss of job, death of a loved one, financial losses, disappointments, moves of necessity not of choice...the list could go on and on. These events in themselves may not be the reason we can't fulfill our dreams and plans, but they could cause us to lose the drive and desire to keep striving.  We get depressed, bogged down in the mire of the situation, and become too tired to keep forging ahead. We lose our focus on the vision of the goal ahead, and get sidetracked and discouraged.

How can we turn this around and get back on track? Good question. I'm asking myself that right now. There must be a way. We just can't give up and throw in the towel.  

1. Pray for fresh inspiration from God.
2. Look into God's Word, the Bible, for answers and direction.
3. Spend time in His presence, away from the cares of the world for a while. Every day...
4. Resist the temptation to go here and there, chasing the whirlwind of activity and worldly answers. 
5. Don't look at your circumstances and fear that there is no hope.
6. "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."  Proverbs 16:3
7. "Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  Luke 12:29-32
   
8. Fix your eyes on Christ..."the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2) and 
9. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (II Corinthians 4:18, NIV)
10. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  (II Corinthians 5:1, NKJV)

I started writing this tonight feeling a little down...could you tell?  But God, in His love and mercy, did exactly what I've been writing about...as I started to work through this list of things to do to "get back on track", my spirits were lifted and my heart was encouraged.  I said a little prayer right back up there where I wrote #1, "Pray for fresh inspiration from God"...and He led me to these passages in His Word.  He also directed me to read a little devotional in the book, "Jesus Calling"   by Sarah Young, and the thoughts for today, August 29th, gave me further words of admonition and encouragement.  

No, I don't have all the answers to my life's questions, but I have the answers that I need to know, found in God's Word.  He gives me hope...He strengthens me and lifts me up when I am down. He sets my feet back on the right track...and gives me a little boost in the right direction when I seem to be hesitant to trust.

If you are feeling off the track of your life's goals and dreams, try these steps listed above.  Look to God for the answers you are seeking.  He will not lead you astray...and He will lovingly guide you back on the right track. I know this from experience.