Looking Back Can Be DECEPTIVE! (Part 2)

"Looking Back Can Be DECEPTIVE! (Part 2)"

 In my last article I began discussing the basic premise behind the title of this "mini-series" that will continue into the next article. If you haven't done so, go back and read the last article as well as listen to the podcast that goes along with it. The links for both iTunes and the RSS feed can be found at the bottom of this article. Take a moment and do that first so that you can be properly "set" for what we will continue with today.

The basic idea is this: Many times we can "look back" at a time period in our past and do so with fond memories when, actually, at the time, there was nothing going on that we would ever want to remember fondly. Get the point?

I want to share with you a PERFECT illustration of this that comes from the Bible and it is found in the Old Testament book of Exodus, chapter 14. Have you ever seen the old movie, "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Heston in the leading role as Moses? A good part of the movie deals with the time period of when Moses was sent to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. They were enduring horrible conditions as slaves and God sent Moses to lead His people out of slavery and into freedom. In Exodus 14, we find that this large group had left their slavery and were on their way to freedom when Pharaoh changed his mind about letting them go and began to chase them down. As his army got closer to the group of Israelites, they thought they were trapped when they came upon the Red Sea. They saw no way out and began to moan and complain to Moses that he should have left them alone for (verse 12), "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!" They were saying that, as horrible as it was, they would have rather STAYED in Egypt and live as slaves, in horrible conditions, that to die in freedom.

Of course, if you know the story (if you don't, just continue reading from verse 12) then you know that God delivered His people from that situation. But, the point is this: Even though they had been free for only a very short time, they were already "looking back", desiring to go back.

Why? Because they were AFRAID OF WHAT WAS BEFORE THEM! 

Is it possible that the same is true for you and me today? I mentioned in my last podcast that, many times, we find ourselves longing for the "good old days" during times of difficulty. Often, when we run into obstacles and experience "failure" we want to run back to those times that we remember fondly when, again, at the time, they may not have been so pleasant after all. 

Why? Because, in our own minds, it is easier (and we THINK it's "safer") to go back to what we knew (even if it wasn't so good - like the Israelites in slavery) than it is to face difficulty and the unknown of the future.  

May I share another verse from the Bible that addresses this point? I promise, I'm not going to get all "preachy" on you. Notice these words that you can find in the New Testament book of Luke 9:62 - "But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The idea presented here is exactly the same one that we discussed about the Israelites back in the book of Exodus. For Christians, Jesus Christ has "set us free" from the "slavery and bondage" of sin! We're free! So, why would anyone "look back" and desire the former life of slavery and bondage? Those that do so are not "fit" for the "kingdom of God" for they do not trust Jesus and the promise of a better future, just as the Israelites did not trust God and His promise to them of a better future. 

By the way, did you know that you can't plow a straight row if you are looking back? That's true whether you are plowing behind a horse or sitting behind the wheel of a tractor! 

In the same way, you cannot focus on your future and "take care of business" if you are always looking back. It just won't work and friend, remember, your past - whatever it is that keeps drawing your attention there - is likely not as "shiny" as it now appears! 

Hey listen, there are people that are set free from prison only to find that they feel "lost" now that they are "out on their own". And, because they find this new life difficult to adjust to, they will - at times - commit a crime just so they can go back to what they know. Yes, even though it is PRISON!

Whether you realize (or understand) this next point or not, it's still true. Most of the time, when you try to better yourself and make a move toward a better life, things get worse (or so it seems) before they get better. That's the truth, friend! We usually want things to be better overnight, instantly, at the snap of a finger but, truth be told, it doesn't quite work that way the majority of the time!

The question is this: Do you have what it takes to persevere and hang on through the tough times? I'll answer that for you, in case you aren't too sure - YES, YOU DO have what it takes! 

Stop looking back and longing for what is in the past! Your FUTURE is in FRONT of you - not behind you!

Always remember this, and I mean ALWAYS: Even if you take two steps forward and one step back, you are still making progress because you are still ONE STEP AHEAD of where you were before! That's right! Even if you get "slapped back, knocked back and/or kicked back" a step after you've moved forward - you are STILL ahead of where you were before you decided to TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE by moving FORWARD with and in your life!

And, by the way, this is also for those of you that have suffered through an abusive relationship in the past. STOP looking back thinking it wasn't as bad as you thought it was. Never! You keep moving forward with your life and DO NOT look back - you have been set FREE! I know I hit a nerve with some of you with that last part. That's o.k. and feel free to connect with me to share your thoughts, stories and comments. I will NEVER share anything with my audience unless you give me expressed consent to do so. If you need, I have a friend that went through an abusive relationship and she has her own blog that talks about some of these issues. Here's the link to that blog: https://reflectionsfrommykitchenwindow.wordpress.com/ - Her name is Donna and she is a life-long friend of me and my family and she has graciously agreed to let me share this link with you. Thanks, Donna!

Once again, if you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Created Victorious!

This really brings the week's focus to a good ending to tie up all that we've discussed.

I would suggest that, if you are one that has struggled with the things we have discussed this week, you actually print this off and post it somewhere that you can see it and read it daily.

"From Victim to Victor" has turned out to be the theme of the week. NO MORE!

Understand what is worded in the graphic above - YOU WERE CREATED VICTORIOUS!

I really want to encourage you to listen to the podcast on this topic. You can find the links at the end of the article.

As I've said before, you may not be a believer in God or the Bible but, at the same time, I want to encourage you to read what the Bible has to say about how God feels about you! You - yes YOU - were made in the image of God! He loves you and wants the best for you.

It is a slow process, but you need to begin to STAND on the belief that, indeed, you WERE and ARE created to be VICTORIOUS!

I do understand that it is easier said than done. Especially for those of you that, perhaps, grew up being degraded and devalued. Perhaps you are one that has suffered through years of marriage to a spouse that has degraded and/or devalued you. It's not always physical or verbal! It may be that they have treated you in such a way as to make it clear that they put you last on the list, that you don't matter. (Remember, it's time to stop living a life of left overs!).

I need to point out, again, that this may also include men! Many times when we talk of these things we talk about women and children. It is true that there are too many women and too many children that have endured this type of lifestyle. However, there are also MEN who have gone through the same thing. There are MEN who have endured a life growing up being treated with the continued negative impact of being made to feel as if they had no value or worth to anyone. There are MEN out there, as well, who have lived with a spouse that has done the same - made them feel as if they were of no value or worth to anyone.

YOU WERE CREATED VICTORIOUS!

It is a long process to begin to believe that and live it but, it begins TODAY!

I want you to know this as well: realize it or not, you have already been a light to and for someone else! That's right. Perhaps they see your perseverance in a difficult situation. Perhaps they see that you can still smile at them when you see them. Perhaps others have seen and experienced your helpful touch. There are others that have looked and been encouraged and inspired by you. Yes, YOU!

Remember, "As long as there is breath, there is hope."

On a personal note: I got this graphic from a dear friend that simply told me that it hit close to home. I have no idea what has gone on in her life and I didn't ask her. If you are reading this - I love you! Thank you for sharing this graphic so that I could use it to hopefully help others. YOU are beautiful, YOU are of value and YOU were made VICTORIOUS!

Thank you, friends, for allowing me to share. Even though I don't know you, I care about you and for you. I'd love to hear from you and, at least, please be sure to share this and the information from the week with those that need it.

And, as always, as you go through your day, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   "Like" FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

                                         Start your home based business HERE
 

No More Left Overs!

 

 

I'm so glad that I didn't live during the time when kids ate only after the adults had their meal first. ESPECIALLY when I was a kid! I'm sure "Momma" fixed plenty of food for all but, at the same time, the kids got what was left over, hence the term "left overs".

 

Now, I honestly like some left overs when it comes to food. I enjoy "turkey-burgers" from a Thanksgiving meal about as much as the meal itself. Many others are like me in that way.

 

However, eating a turkey-burger from the Thanksgiving Day turkey is something that I do by CHOICE. I have not been forced to wait and see what was left before I could decide what my meal would be. You can read of other situations in history when all that was left was crumbs and these crumbs were all that were available for some.

 

THAT'S the image I want in your mind as we talk about your life (and mine).

 

This ties in so closely to the last article about understanding your VALUE and your WORTH and not giving out any more "discounts" of yourself to others.

 

There are varying degrees of this type of behavior and acceptance and some may not even realize that they are living a life that is accepting "left overs" from those around them. Today I want to encourage you to STOP living a life of left overs!

 

It may be a wife accepting this life of left overs from her husband. It may be a Mom that has allowed her children to conduct themselves in such a way that she is living this life of left overs from them.

 

It may be an adult that grew up in a home where they accepted this type of behavior from their parents because, to a large extent, they had to. But now, as an adult, they still accept this life of left overs from their parents because they have not learned how to break that habit.

 

It may be a person that has this type of situation at work and are living a life of left overs from their boss or even their co-workers. It may be a person that has accepted this from their circle of friends.

 

PAY ATTENTION TO THIS: Yes, it may even be a man that has accepted this life of left overs from his wife, his children, his parents, co-workers and circle of friends. Many times men like to separate themselves from this type of truth - but it IS true with some.

 

When others put everything and everyone else ahead of you and then show you "attention" or support only as an afterthought then, friend, you are living a life of left overs. Go back and read the last article again or for the first time. YOU ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN THIS!

 

Now obviously I'm not talking about being an attention seeking diva. I think you know that.

 

I'm talking about you or maybe someone you know that is allowing this to happen in their lives. Many times it is allowed because the one accepting this life style doesn't quite know how to stop it from happening.

 

You may need professional help and there is NO SHAME in that! Many have years of abuse (remember, abuse does not always have to be physical) in their lives that must be approached with someone that is trained to help them through this. Don't be afraid to search this out.

 

I do hope that just by reading the blog articles this week and by listening to the podcasts that you may be inspired enough to stand up, claim your value and act accordingly.

 

You ARE worthy. Don't ever forget that and do NOT allow others to treat you in any way other than acknowledgement of that fact.

 

Again, I'm here and would love to hear from you at any time. And men, don't forget, that includes you, too!

 

Sit down and "eat" all that life has to offer and stop waiting around to see what is left over before you do! And, as you do so, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

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