7 Habits of Highly Effective BelieversSample

I’m writing this to you because God needs you and wants you. He created you for a purpose linked to an incredible assignment. You are the solution to another’s problem.

As I began to think about you and the incredible plans God has for you, I felt a nudge. The nudge was to remind you of these seven habits. I say remind because you already know what they are. My goal is to remind you so you can re-launch into your purpose. And you know what, sometimes, you need to take a few steps backward to go forward.

These seven habits may feel like you are going backward, but the truth is, they will boost you into the greatest season of your life. The saying goes, “hard work works.” You know it’s true. I know it’s true. So let the truth journey begin.

Habit #1 is to take ownership.

Matthew 25 lands us in the parable of the talents. If you’ve read my previous work, you know how much this parable hits home (Search Your Bible, Your Coach, Your Purpose, or As a Man Thinketh).

It goes like this. The master gave out talents to his three servants. One of his servants was given five, another three, and the third servant one. The servant with five doubled his talents. The servant with three doubled his talents. The servant with one was afraid and buried his talent. When the master returned, he applauded the servants who doubled their talents. The master scolded the third servant who buried his talent. This servant gave excuses. He said he was afraid and didn’t want to make the master angry. This resulted in the master taking the buried talent and giving it to the servant with five.

This parable is all about taking ownership. The two servants who doubled their talents took ownership of what they were given. The third steward who buried his talent gave excuses.

In the book Extreme Ownership, former Navy Seal Jocko Willink says, “On any team, in any organization, all responsibility for success and failure rests with the leader. The leader must own everything in his or her world. There is no one else to blame. The leader must acknowledge mistakes and admit failures, take ownership of them, and develop a plan to win.”

You are the owner of your life. Every decision you make is on you. Decisions are your real DNA. They are what truly set you apart.

In the parable of the talents, the difference in each steward was their decisions.

Proverbs 28:13 says, ‘The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. ‘

So, let me ask you, what decisions do you need to own up to? What decisions are you not taking ownership of? Is it in your spirit, soul, mind, or body? What are you concealing that needs to be revealed or let go of? What do you need to confess?

As you ponder these questions, think about what it would look like to take ownership of your life right now. What would it look like if you took responsibility for every decision you make? What would that feel like?

What if this was the wake-up call you were praying for? What if God is trying to move you into your purpose?

As crazy as that may sound, I believe this is what is happening. Your assignment in life is so incredible that God will do whatever He can to get your attention.

If you are serious about becoming a highly effective believer, you can start right now. Taking ownership is the first step.

Let’s pray together:

Jesus, help me see the bigger picture. Forgive me for blaming, doubting you, and living in fear. I want to give all of those sins to you. I want to live in my purpose. I want to be effective for Christ. I want to give you glory. Help me today to start this process.

Let me know what resonates with you.

I’m rooting for you.

Coach Anthony Thompson