Ever felt like giving up on a cherished dream? Two encouraging words can help unlock your potential.
A math teacher was once disturbed to see how easily some of her students gave up when trying to solve problems.
While some students faced problems with perseverance, most just made a half-hearted attempt at solving them.
When difficulty surfaced, those students simply put the pencil down in defeat.
"I can't do it!" became their self-fulfilling words.
One day, she was grading test papers as usual, putting a checkmark next to the correct answers and an 'X' by incorrect answers.
But as she started to put an 'X' besides a student's incorrect answer, her hand stopped in mid-air.
Suddenly, she had a vision of a turnaround in her students.
Along with that vision, 2 encouraging words echoed in her mind.
She got excited.
"If only the defeated students would make these 2 encouraging words their own, they could change!" She thought.
Her hand lowered to the test paper. But instead of an 'X' beside the correct answer, she wrote the 2 encouraging words beside it.
And that is what she did with every incorrect answer for all the test papers.
She prayed as she wrote the 2 encouraging words, asking the Lord for wisdom as to how to make these words a reality for her students.
When she returned the test papers to the class, the "I can't" students looked puzzled at first.
But then she saw hope and a smile.
She nodded, confident that her students could grasp the possibility those 2 encouraging words presented.
It is tempting to give up when challenges come our way.
But I believe that God is calling His people to a higher standard this year.
If you take just 2 short encouraging words to heart this year and persevere until they become a reality, you can change everything.
The Encouraging Words Turnaround
What are those 2 short encouraging words?
"Not Yet."
Whenever your mind tries to tell you, "I can't do it!" simply add these 2 encouraging words - "Not yet."
The "Not yet" attitude speaks of faith, hope, and patience, which are all necessary to manifest any dream.
A pastor visited our church from South Africa once and spoke this powerhouse sentence:
Your 'Not Yet' is bigger than your 'Right Now'!"
So many of us get stuck at 'Right Now.'
But to get past 'Right Now,' you must have the courage to reach for the 'Not Yet.'
After all, time is going to pass anyway. You get to choose how your time will pass. Why not spend your time on Earth working on the dream the Lord has placed in your heart?
Abraham's Example in the Bible
Abraham, is a great example of someone with a 'Not Yet' attitude in the Bible.
The Lord gave Him a vision of becoming the father of many nations, even though he was old, his wife was barren, and he didn't even have the first son yet!
Romans 4:19-22 says of Him:
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness (Romans 4:16-22)."
God considered Abraham righteous simply on the basis of his belief in God's encouraging words to him.
Faith in His word pleases God:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)."
Decide today that you will adopt a 'Not Yet' attitude.
If thoughts like, 'this will never happen' or 'I can't do it' surface, simply say to yourself 'Not Yet' and Keep it Moving - K.I.M.
Take Back Your Temple program members adopt a 'Not Yet' attitude.
Here is a benefit of the 'Not Yet' attitude; just the act of engaging with a problem causes you to grow stronger.
Your brain develops new connections and you strengthen your problem-solving ability in all areas.
Growth happens in the attempt and refusing to give up.
The great thing about this journey is that you are not alone in it:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- God will show you how to do with Him what you cannot do alone.
- God will help you dismantle negative thinking strongholds in your mind.
- God will give you strength to keep going if you ever feel like giving up on yourself
Because of these benefits, I would not trade my weight loss journey for all the diets, exercise programs, and surgeries in the world.
Was it always easy? No.
But I can say with confidence that taking the journey is worth it.
It’s all about getting to know God through a deeper way, yes even through a weight loss journey!
Let's make this the year that you transform "I can't do it" into 'Not Yet' into 'Yes, I can" and finally, "Yes, I did!"