Wise Words
As my first business partner often reminded me, “Slow and steady wins the race.”
It’s amazing how many great things have happened in my life when I’ve overcome the urge to give in to short-term, instant gratification-type fixes.
Fact
The enemy loves for us to act impulsively as it often prevents us from achieving the great things God has in store for us.
I often shake my head in disbelief when I observe people who declare time after time they will get out of debt, but their actions continue to dig them a deeper hole of debt.
The devil often whispers in their ears, “Go ahead, buy it; after all the stuff you’ve just been through, you deserve it.”
Deserve what? Do I really deserve to strap myself with more debt?????
Although I don’t know what I’d do without my credit card, we have to be on guard with them because the enemy knows it can use them against us. The devil uses our credit cards as his tool to get us to act on our emotional impulses and buy stuff we don’t need to make our pit of debt wider and deeper.
Instant gratification grows from a Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). We are afraid if we don’t act now, we will miss out on something good.
Solution
Best-selling author Jim Collins once said, “Good is the enemy of great.”
Choosing to wait and seek out God’s direction and guidance instead of giving in to my impulses and emotions in the moment has prevented me, many times over the years, from settling for “short-term goods” when God intended to bless me with “long term greats.
It’s amazing how far we can get ahead in life by simply denying the desires of our flesh one day at a time.
Some questions to ask before making important decisions …
- Is the action I’m about to take a result of a “nudge” aligned with God’s will or my will?
- Have I confirmed with a spiritual accountability partner that this “nudge” is from God and not from me?
- Is what I’m about to do aligned with my life purpose (why I’m here)?
- Is what I’m about to do aligned with my life vision and goals (where I’m going)?
- Is what I’m about to do aligned with my guiding principles (what I stand for)?
- Is what I’m about to do aligned with my priorities (my key roles and responsibilities)?
Proverbs 21:5 (NIV), “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
Reflection:
What beliefs, thoughts, and actions cause you to struggle with instant gratification?
Additional Scripture to read and reflect upon: Romans 5:3-4, James 1:12-18, Hebrews 10:36
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
