As I reflect on the 2nd Edition of Get Your Act Together: A 30 Day Accountability Journal getting to be released, hopefully, on September 31st, 2024, I reflect on the journey I have been on since the time of it’s release. I see myself maturing in so many ways. However, the Lord has used personal relationships and my work environment to show me rougher edges that have needed pruning in my character, as well as showing me where I needed to set boundaries with others and to ask for what I have needed.
I continue to be amazed that when we do not turn ourselves daily into Jesus in every area of our lives and take accountability, how quickly things can go south. I also know that when we don’t renew our minds, how quickly we walk in our emotions and not with the Spirit of God.
Today, I have a lot of things on my mind. Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Often times I have felt that the path of accountability can be lonely, that some of the experiences I have gone through others may not understand.
I don’t speak on this from the victim standpoint, only one from a place of being accountable, because to me, in the end, we will be judged on everything we have said and done to everyone. This isn’t easy. I reflect on the past several months, and it is has been hard to see some of the rough edges that I have on myself. I see some myself becoming purified because I know the consequences of what could happen if I do not humble myself and get out of pride and work with God.
I feel compelled to share that when you have a spouse, kids, or important people in your life who is committed to loving you, loving you in Godly ways and wanting to do things in a biblical way, and willing to turn themselves in every second for correction to Jesus, hold onto these people.
Work with them. Don’t enter into a false humility or pride. Stay consistent. Don’t give these individuals false hope or excuses. These people are pure of heart. They are here to communicate love and to be the people that God designed them to be. More and more, people are becoming hijacked by the enemy on a daily basis, and we are quickly losing discernment because of the trauma we have been through because of what others have put us through and the world we live in.
I would encourage you to ask yourself the following questions: Am I hijacked by a physical phenomena that is happening in my body because of nutrition, medication or something else that is foreign and not good. Pray and ask for discernment from the Holy Spirit and get it out. Often times these things hijack our bodies and minds and our ability to think clearly. Secondly, ask yourself is this some type of psychological/soul wound issue or trauma that needs to be addressed. As I write this now, I continue to be humbled for fears and issues that I continue to work through due to my past. It isn’t easy when we are being triggered. My hope with my readers and what I have always done my best to practice and to coach others on is to practice in real time when situations arise. Practice, practice, practice. The final thing I would encourage others on to be aware of is
Perhaps it is because of the horror stories that I listen too daily and what I deal with, but I find very people like this left. When you have someone who is willing to sew love into you, take corrective action for their mistakes and to love and honor your relationship, take time to do the same. Prioritize what is truly important. That is why I feel like I was spared my life for a lot of the health things that I had to encounter, and that is why I feel compelled to work with others. I can assure you, because I found this out for myself, that most of the things that we think that will matter in the end will not. Don’t let good people walk out of your life all because you don’t want to face parts of yourself that are uncomfortable or you do not want to prioritize your time in a way that brings more love, intimacy, and connection with those you love.
When I am disappointed with myself and have deep prayer and deliverance with Jesus, I will exam myself deeply at night and replay situations where I have failed others, and I am getting to the point where I no longer want to be saying or doing anything that is harmful to others. I do not want to be in my soul/emotions, and am committed to walking in the spirt and led by the spirit. I look at the last few months, and even tonight, and I feel that I have failed others and myself and the Lord. I also know that there are a few issues that I have taken to those I love the most, and have done everything I can to prune the vines that would stop love from flourishing. I am learning that sometimes, after you have been obedient to God, you have to step back and become quiet. You have to let others and the Holy Spirit work on people’s own divided hearts because they are off course in their own lives and are causing the relationship to go off course, just as you have caused the relationship to go off course.
So, our goal is to be in the Word of God, pray and turn ourselves into Jesus instead of going into spiritual battles with one another. This has to happen with humility first. Sometimes, removing ourselves from people and situations for a time period is the best way for people to learn that we are not to be taken for granted and it gives the Holy Spirit a time to work on a mature christian’s heart and attitude for refinement instead of going to war with one another. I speak about this because it has taken me a number of years to learn, and this has caused great pain.
I don’t like it and people have to get comfortable with facing themselves and learning how to become emotional safe people and taking ownership when they hurt other people. It’s a black and white issue. We need to learn to walk in sync with Jesus and with each other, not against one another, and this starts by looking at those three areas and being diligent, not going rogue or making excuses. However, so many of us have gone through trauma that most of us don’t know how to do this or dig our heals in anymore. We truly are in the end days right now. We are behind and we need to change this dynamic within the body and within our closest relationships. Everyone suffers when we do not do this.
Start with a time audit. It will start by turning yourself into Jesus with everything in your life on physical, mental, emotional, life purpose, financial, health, and christian walk level. It’s hard, but I am interested on how my life is transformed and doing that consistently for myself and others on daily basis. Not half as…..ing it. This isn’t about perfection, but we are in the days where we need men and women to step up. We are behind and when things really go south, people are going to be called upon to lead. I hold myself in this camp. I am behind as well. All I can do is do the work with Jesus daily.
My phrase is “Don’t wait until you are near death to prioritize love and accountability.” Jeffrey T. Tierney. Enjoy your weekend!
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