Know when to press the Reset button

If the average holds true for us here in Turks and Caicos, then about one-third of us made New Year’s resolutions. Demographically, those under 35 made up the majority of the “resoluters” (is that a word) while those over 55 were less likely to make a resolution, maybe because they had been doing it for decades and found it wanting. By the end of this month, more than half of the “resoluters” (there is that word again) would quit. By the end of February, over three-quarters would call it quits. At the end of the year, less than 10% of people who made goals to eat more vegetables, drink less alcohol, and spend more time with their families would’ve seen any traction. Here is what I would like to suggest to you, press the RESET button.

Disclaimer. Much of what I would write in this article and the ones that would follow leans heavily on the work of Dr David Murray. And though he wrote primarily for those working vocationally in the church, the principles he proposes are applicable to everyone, whether

OCTOPEN you follow Jesus or not.

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

Kenyatta Lewis is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a growing church committed to taking followers of Jesus deeper and going further in their faith. Besides loving, serving, and helping people he has watched the extended Director’s cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy multiple times.

At some time or another, we have all seen or participated in an athletic race. Some races have eight people and last under ten seconds, others have thousands and last for hours, but one thing is certain, only one person, one runner, wins. If we want to be that one person, then we need to run in such a way that we win (1 Corinthians 9:24). The race we all run is called life and many of us can win this race, but only when we run it well.

Many have run and are running this race called life well, while others have gotten side-tracked, tired, and burnt out. When do you know if you have been sidetracked in your race? When these warning signs go off.

1. Warning sign #1 – Physical a. You are experiencing physical issues that are caused by stress (headaches, stomach cramps, aching joints, back pain, chest pains, heart palpitations) b. You have no energy, and you find yourself tired if not all, most of the time c. You Suffer from sleeplessness or sleep too much without feeling rested d. You are putting on the pounds or losing them in an unhealthy way.

2. Warning sign #2 – Mental a. You can’t focus for any lengthy period of time b. You are obsessing over little things c. You are obsessing over the negative to the point that you are overly critical and overly sensitive

3. Warning sign #3 – Emotional a. You can’t remember when last you laughed b. It’s hard to be optimistic c. Worry and anxiety have become your best friends d. Whenever you think about what lies ahead, you go into panic mode e. You can’t be happy when others are successful f. You are constantly fighting feelings of worthlessness

4. Warning sign # 4 – Relationships a. You are mostly irritable and cranky toward your loved ones b. You have a disproportionate number of negative people and toxic relationships in your life c. You are finding it hard to work at being in a quality friendship

5. Warning sign #5 – Work a. You work long hours without being productive b. You are constantly feeling overwhelmed by deadlines and projects c. You are procrastinating more and more where simple tasks are concerned d. You have become apathetic at work e. You cannot say no at work while at the same time, you feel used by your colleagues

6. Warning sign #6 – Moral a. Your guard has come down so the things you stood against you no longer do, and the things you stood up for, you don’t anymore

7. Warning sign #7 – Spiritual a. You have neglected your spiritual life and are living without regard for your eternal destination b. You have stopped paying attention to God’s voice

Now you know the signs, how do you go about getting better?

We will talk about that next week. Since You are Loved, show it to others.