Distraction

Last week I posted my first ever video blog entitled 'It is time'. Click this link to listen to the video.  http://civillamorgan.blogspot.com/2014/10/it-is-time.html

In this post, I would like to follow up to 'It is time'.  When you make the decision to step out, to make that big crazy move, that is when distraction will come.  It may seem innocent enough, and it usually is.  The bearer of the distraction usually does not even know that he or she is bringing distraction, they just want you to do something for them. You, the person stepping out into a new thing, must recognize what is happening, and respond accordingly.  Distractions by their nature, exist to keep you from doing what you are supposed to be doing.  Some time ago, I also posted a blog entitled 'Do not idle'.  In that post I mentioned how when I was a little girl and my mother would send me to the store, she would tell me 'do not idle'.  Do not become distracted, do not allow anyone to stop you from going to the store, go and come straight back.

Distraction can make us lose track of time.  Before we know it, a whole day has gone by and none of the tasks on our 'to do' list have been completed.  Fighting distraction takes strength and discipline.  It is much easier to spend time on tasks we prefer than to spend time on tasks we would rather not do. But the fact is, to succeed, that task must eventually be done.  In this day and age, most people do not like the word discipline.  We want things done immediately.  But what if we realized that every successful person we know whether personally or in the headlines, got to where they are through discipline?  They disciplined themselves by going to acting classes. They learned their lines, and they became world famous actors and actresses commanding top dollar in their industry.  People who want to do and be the best in their industry, must stay up late into the night.  They have to wake up early in the morning, and they have to say no to things they want to say yes to.

Sometimes the devil sends people to distract us, to attempt to take us out of our season of stepping out.  There are people who do not want us to succeed.   These people will tell lies about us, saying things to discredit us, planting seeds of doubt.  The first key to recognizing a distraction is to look at the timing of the distraction.  I do not believe in coincidence.

If something happens or someone approaches at the time of your stepping out; think before acting or re-acting.  Now more than ever, the time of our stepping out, we have to hear God every step of the way.  This time of stepping out may never come again.

My personal suggestions for stepping out successfully:

1) Be able to say 'no' even if the request is for a 'good thing'.
2) Be selfish with your time.  This is the only time I will tell you to be selfish, I do not like that trait       at all, but in this case, it is necessary.
3) Be willing to walk away from what seems like common sense, if it is what God is telling you to         do.  God's instructions seldom make sense.
4) Be kind but firm.  Everyone will have their opinion on what you are doing.  But the only word that      counts is the word coming from God.
5)  Pray every step of the way, and even after you become successful, keep praying.  What it took to        get you there is what it will take to keep you there.
6) Surround yourself with people you trust.  As I mentioned above, not everyone will be happy for         you, no matter how much they smile and pat you on the back.  Ask God to surround you with             people whose suggestions and critiques are consistent and trustworthy.

Do you have suggestions for successfully stepping out?  I would love to hear them!