Naked And UnafraidSample

Day 8: Fight for Your Future

You made it! Here’s what I want you to take away from today (and from this past week)...  

Be your best you today and moving forward!

When we stay in the present mentally and emotionally, we protect ourselves from regrets about the past or speculations about the future. Staying in the present is a fighting position that allows you to position yourself to turn a setback into a comeback. The Apostle Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind,” (Philippians 3:13) and, Jesus’ words encourage us when we read, “Do not worry about tomorrow...each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

We don’t need to spend extra time rehearsing, nursing, or cursing the past. Let’s learn whatever lessons we can from past mistakes, regrets, or failures, but then move on. Forget what is behind, like Paul said, and yet, don’t get too caught up in the “what if’s” of tomorrow either.

Be present. Learn from the past, and plan for the future. But, don’t be harnessed by worry in either direction. We fight for our future the best when we are present in today. 

We come full circle and have a chance to look at King David again. We began our journey with him dancing in the streets. 

Being vulnerable always requires courage. King David had to have courage that day when he danced in the streets and celebrated the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the city. And, King David had to have courage and be vulnerable at so many other points in his story. 

What I admire so much about David is that in good times and in tough times he always went back to God. He wasn’t afraid to get real with his Creator through prayer or songs. Much in the same way, we can use our words to build strength and courage and faith in ourselves. We won’t get anywhere confessing our weaknesses all the time. The only way you get stronger is to start saying things like:

• I’m strong.
• I’m stronger than I think I am.
• I am made in the image of God.
• I am loved by God.
• I am a conqueror.
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
• I am an overcomer.
• I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

You and I have access to each and every one of these things—and more—in our lives and in our relationship with God. Don’t count yourself out of what God has included you in. Be present in what God is doing in you and through you today and believe that God is with you in every step.

Borrowing some of the words from the apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17–19: I’ve prayed God would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened and that you would know God’s incredible power for you when you believe.

I pray that you will always . . . Risk exposure, Abandon smallness, Push past criticism, Own your story, and Fight for your future!