Focus on progress, not perfection. Focus on Grace, not guilt.
That’s a good word! It really jumped off the page for me. If I miss a day of prayer, or reading the bible or doing a devotion, my Heavenly Dad doesn’t get mad. He’s happy to see progress, and that is the main thing. He doesn't want to see religious behaviour. If I grow a little closer to my Dad, that’s progress. If I pray every other day instead of every few days, that’s progress. Sometimes we need a word like this to encourage us, when we live in a day and age that likes to focus on the negative. Focus on the positive, it will go a lot further in life.
Phil 4:8 (TPT) So keep your thoughts continually fixed (focused) on all that is authentic and real, honourable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
The enemy would like to keep my thoughts focused on my failures, leading to a typical guilt trip of which I sometimes feel I won’t ever get out of. The verse in Philippians is great reminder on what we should focus our thoughts on. When I keep my thoughts on the good things, I feel more peace, more freedom, more grace. I abide with Him a little more.
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
Let's not focus on the past, but focus on the future. Phil 3:13 (TPT) I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.
Have you had problems forgetting the past. Are you still living in a moment in the past, be it good or bad? I found this message by Christine Caine to be quite compelling. Take time to watch if you feel led to.
Click HERE for video.
Good words to focus on!
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