Take Charge Of Your Destiny!

Dear purpose-driven achiever, I very much hope you are taking charge of your destiny.

When the Children of Israel left Egypt, God gave them a clear picture of their future destiny. They were to become God’s very own special people and they were to inherit their very own country (Canaan), the Lord’s Promised Land.

Unfortunately, not everyone who left Egypt for this Promised Land came into their inheritance. They failed to fulfil their destiny.

Why?

Because of unbelief!

God had shown everyone who left Egypt that he was more than capable of making good on his promise by the plagues he brought about in Egypt before they left, and by the parting of the Red Sea as they fled from the Egyptians, who were in hot pursuit.

Fear, old bad habits and short memories became the downfall of these emancipated slaves.

Purpose-driven achievers, we would be wise to check our own lives, to see whether we are guilty of these same issues, which could disqualify or prevent us from entering into our “promised land” and fulfilling our destiny.

I recently read a devotional article, which reminded me that our thoughts, words, actions, habits and character will ultimately create our destiny.

THOUGHTS

Did you know that we have approximately 6000 thoughts each day and most of them will be a repeat of what we thought about the day before? Now if the majority of our thoughts are optimistic and godly, then all well and good! But if not…. Yikes!

Our predominant thoughts influence the words we speak. That’s why we ought to fill our hearts with God’s Word through reading, meditating upon and confessing it.

Unfortunately, the Children of Israel thought of, and saw themselves as grasshoppers and therefore spoke accordingly. They even convinced themselves that their enemies saw them in the same way (Numbers 13:33).

Later, we learn from the lips of Rahab, a prostitute, that this was not actually the case. She said:

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you; for the Lord your God he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.

(Joshua 2:11 NKJV)

Whilst the Children of Israel focussed on the giants they had to face, whilst they focussed upon their inabilities, the inhabitants of Jericho were focussed on the greatness of Israel’s God. Reports about the miraculous way in which he’d delivered the enslaved Jews from Egypt had reached their ears (see Joshua 2:9-11; Joshua 5:1), and they were very much afraid!

WORDS

What are you saying about yourself, your current circumstances, your potential, your future? Are your words lining up with what God says in his Word?

As slaves, the Children of Israel were no doubt practiced in the art of using victim vocabulary and it’s understandable, considering they had a history of enslavement for around 400 years.

However, God came on the scene and told them he was adopting them as a people. He confirmed that he would be acting on their behalf in connection with a covenant he’d made with their forefather, Abraham. He indicated he would be their God and evidenced his ability to protect them, by openly punishing their captors and annihilating the enemies that pursued them.

Despite Israel’s history of enslavement and victimhood, it was possible for them to change, to adopt God’s vocabulary of hope, faith and victory. We know this to be the case because two of their number (Joshua and Caleb), had done so.

Now the ratio of those who believed versus those who did not, should be noted. As children of God, which camp do we fall into? Are we amongst those who decide to take God at his Word and have FAITH* in his ability to do what seems impossible, or will we be those who speak out of a grasshopper complex and shrink back from taking charge of our destiny?

ACTIONS

Ten of the twelve spies which had been sent to spy out the Land of Canaan, discouraged the Children of Israel with their words. Their bad report contradicted God’s Word and disregarded God’s power and miraculous intervention, as showcased by the plagues against the Egyptians, by the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Israel’s enemies, despite their military might. 

Joshua and Caleb stood in stark contrast to these negative and unbelieving spies. They were adamant that Israel could be victorious over their enemies, with the help of God.

Let me pause here to ask:

• Are there obstacles blocking your path as you seek to experience and enjoy the abundance of God’s kingdom… as you seek to fulfil your destiny?
• Are you convinced in your heart that by God’s grace, you can overcome opposition, or overwhelming difficulties – even against all odds?

HABITS

Negativity can be a habit. The Cambridge dictionary defines negativity as an attitude that is not hopeful or enthusiastic.

Are you someone who normally sees the glass half-empty, or half-full? Is your default mode always to see your circumstances in a pessimistic light? Are you more likely to see yourself as a failure, rather than a winner… as a victim, rather than a victor, an overcomer?

If your response is “Yes”, then kindly be aware that these kinds of thoughts and attitudes have been learned over time. They can be unlearnt! They can be subdued. They can be mastered. However, it takes commitment, patience and persistence.

The Children of Israel were both negative and fearful and this prevented them from experiencing the fullness of God’s covenant promises.

I can tell you from past experience that FEAR* can become a debilitating habit. Perhaps you are familiar with the acronym FEAR and its challenging definition. It is: False Evidence Appearing Real!

Are you allowing fear and negativity to prevent you from enjoying God’s blessings, achieving your dreams and fulfilling your destiny?

Life is a daily cleansing. Negativity must be washed away, if you wish to attract positive experiences to your life. (Leon Brown)

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CHARACTER

When we think of character, we think about a person’s mental and moral attributes.

Who we are today has been shaped by the beliefs, words, predominant thoughts, actions and habits of yesterday. Now how does that reality make you feel? Relieved? Regretful? Indifferent?

Jesus declared that we humans generally speak from that which has been constantly stored within our hearts. Can you see why God asks us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds? Can you appreciate why he would counsel us to focus our thoughts upon those things which are lovely, true, virtuous and praiseworthy?

DESTINY

As we have seen from God’s Word, it is possible to scupper one’s destiny. Although freed from Egypt, the Children of Israel remained captives of their negativity. Instead of enjoying their new found freedom in the Promised Land, they ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Apart from Joshua and Caleb, nobody over the age of 19 years made it into Canaan (see Numbers 14:22-24; 29-30). They failed to inherit their promised destiny.

The Bible tells us that it is through faith and patience that we can inherit God’s promises (Hebrews 6:12). Again, we are told that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). A failure to mix our works with faith will result in a failure to enter into the wonderful destiny God has planned for us.

So, may I encourage you today dear purpose-driven believers and achievers? Pursuing our purpose and fulfilling our destiny requires faith.

Without faith, we won’t choose to speak God’s Word instead of our doubts, fears and weaknesses. Without faith, our actions will sabotage our destinies. Without faith, we will not have the strength of character required to be able to push past obstacles, ignore the naysayers or our own fears, and persist in the pursuit of our God-given destiny.

As purpose-driven achievers we must think, speak and act on God’s terms. We must develop godly habits of submission to his will and obedience to his commands.

We know we should do these things. However, as Tony Robbins observes, it is only when our “shoulds” become our “must” that we will experience the change we desire.

Purpose-driven believers, let’s take stock of our thoughts, words, actions and habits. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to shape our character so we may conform to Christ’s image, and let’s aim to take charge of, and fulfil our God-given destinies.

(*see link details below)

Best wishes,

Carol E. Hind (Author, Blogger, Purpose-driven achiever)

What are you doing to take charge of your destiny? Please share your response in a comment box below. Do you know anyone who might benefit from this blog post message? Then please don’t hesitate to share it. Thank you.

Check out these related and relevant resources:

When you struggle with fear: The Art of Anxiety

Learn the Secret to building your faith:  Psst! Can I tell you a secret?

YouTube video (10mins) – Dr Joe Dispenza: Learn How to Reprogram your mind