But most times, I can only navigate the unknown—one uncertain step at a time. Ironically, I’ve
learned that the only way to get unstuck is to simply move forward. Depending on where you are
right now, that statement may seem laughable—trite, even. You might be thinking “If getting a
date was that easy, I’d have one by now.” Or, “She just doesn’t know how much debt I’m in.”
Perhaps, you’re teetering on the edge of divorce and you just can’t seem to find your way back to
trust and that first love.
I won’t belittle your problem and attempt to tell you going forward will be easy. However, I will
encourage you to take advice from the Word as expressed by the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 3:
12-14, the apostle shares the following pattern for moving from the places we sometimes find
ourselves to the places God has ordained and destined for us to be:
1. Be sober and honest about where you are: In Philippians 3:12 and the verses before, the
apostle shares the promises of power and transformation available to us through Christ and
righteousness. In verse 12, he turns from what will and could be, to what is by acknowledging the
state in which he finds himself. He then balances it all in the light of understanding that Christ has
more for him. The knowledge of God’s faithfulness to keep his promises gives Him the strength to
continue forward towards his goal.
In our personal faith walk, we must be careful that we don’t confuse outright denial with deep-
rooted belief in God. Real faith can acknowledge where things are because it is balanced with the
hope and sobriety of what God promises to change them into.
Regardless of what is challenging you, a stand in faith is sober and responsible. You seek the aid
and help God has made available to you, all the while knowing that He is providing the answer. In
the end, the solution will come however He chooses.
If we fail to look at our situations from the right perspective, then we fail to give God the proper
space to make the needed changes. Real faith says, “This is how it is, but nevertheless at your
word…it will change!”
2. Keep it simple: Today, we think that the more people can do—the better. But Paul attributed
his success and development to his ability to do ONE thing...he knew how to put the past behind
him.
What does it mean to put the past behind us? It means we no longer allow fear-filled emotional
reference points to dictate the course of our present actions. Wisdom enables us to distinguish the
difference between a lesson learned from the past versus emotional scars. We must be able to
objectively assess our past experiences without allowing emotional triggers to compromise our
present decision-making. If you tried to start a business five years ago, but it didn’t work out…you
can’t let that stop you from trying again. The lessons were made to guide you—not bind you! For
the single person trying to date healthily, the problem was never the other person. The problem
was the lack of boundaries that allowed you to accept certain behaviors. Don’t be afraid that the
same thing will happen again, because it doesn’t have to! You’re wiser now, so learn from your
past mistakes. But once the lesson is learned, put the mistake or pain behind you, by recognizing
that it was just an experience. There are so many more and different outcomes to be had!
Paul conveyed that every second of the day, he deliberately “put” the past behind him. The
past has a way of jumping up in our faces and trying to trip us up. But the apostle recognized that
he ultimately had the power to determine how the past was going to impact him. He decided to put
the past behind him and move forward. Moment by moment, he did one thing….he recognized
when the past was attempting to speak to him from the grave. When he recognized it, he
dismantled the obstacles by assigning them to the proper space in his life. He responded to death
by reminding it of God’s resurrection power!
Live It! Examine your life in the following five key areas—career, finances, spirituality,
relationships and health. Identify where you feel stuck. Time yourself and spend five minutes
listing the things that keep you stuck. Review your list and identify whether the issues are based
on current situations or, are you using the past as a measuring stick. In any areas where your
reference point is the past, find a future promise in Scripture. You can put the past behind you by
refusing to allow your past to determine how you will respond in the present.
learned that the only way to get unstuck is to simply move forward. Depending on where you are
right now, that statement may seem laughable—trite, even. You might be thinking “If getting a
date was that easy, I’d have one by now.” Or, “She just doesn’t know how much debt I’m in.”
Perhaps, you’re teetering on the edge of divorce and you just can’t seem to find your way back to
trust and that first love.
I won’t belittle your problem and attempt to tell you going forward will be easy. However, I will
encourage you to take advice from the Word as expressed by the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 3:
12-14, the apostle shares the following pattern for moving from the places we sometimes find
ourselves to the places God has ordained and destined for us to be:
1. Be sober and honest about where you are: In Philippians 3:12 and the verses before, the
apostle shares the promises of power and transformation available to us through Christ and
righteousness. In verse 12, he turns from what will and could be, to what is by acknowledging the
state in which he finds himself. He then balances it all in the light of understanding that Christ has
more for him. The knowledge of God’s faithfulness to keep his promises gives Him the strength to
continue forward towards his goal.
In our personal faith walk, we must be careful that we don’t confuse outright denial with deep-
rooted belief in God. Real faith can acknowledge where things are because it is balanced with the
hope and sobriety of what God promises to change them into.
Regardless of what is challenging you, a stand in faith is sober and responsible. You seek the aid
and help God has made available to you, all the while knowing that He is providing the answer. In
the end, the solution will come however He chooses.
If we fail to look at our situations from the right perspective, then we fail to give God the proper
space to make the needed changes. Real faith says, “This is how it is, but nevertheless at your
word…it will change!”
2. Keep it simple: Today, we think that the more people can do—the better. But Paul attributed
his success and development to his ability to do ONE thing...he knew how to put the past behind
him.
What does it mean to put the past behind us? It means we no longer allow fear-filled emotional
reference points to dictate the course of our present actions. Wisdom enables us to distinguish the
difference between a lesson learned from the past versus emotional scars. We must be able to
objectively assess our past experiences without allowing emotional triggers to compromise our
present decision-making. If you tried to start a business five years ago, but it didn’t work out…you
can’t let that stop you from trying again. The lessons were made to guide you—not bind you! For
the single person trying to date healthily, the problem was never the other person. The problem
was the lack of boundaries that allowed you to accept certain behaviors. Don’t be afraid that the
same thing will happen again, because it doesn’t have to! You’re wiser now, so learn from your
past mistakes. But once the lesson is learned, put the mistake or pain behind you, by recognizing
that it was just an experience. There are so many more and different outcomes to be had!
Paul conveyed that every second of the day, he deliberately “put” the past behind him. The
past has a way of jumping up in our faces and trying to trip us up. But the apostle recognized that
he ultimately had the power to determine how the past was going to impact him. He decided to put
the past behind him and move forward. Moment by moment, he did one thing….he recognized
when the past was attempting to speak to him from the grave. When he recognized it, he
dismantled the obstacles by assigning them to the proper space in his life. He responded to death
by reminding it of God’s resurrection power!
Live It! Examine your life in the following five key areas—career, finances, spirituality,
relationships and health. Identify where you feel stuck. Time yourself and spend five minutes
listing the things that keep you stuck. Review your list and identify whether the issues are based
on current situations or, are you using the past as a measuring stick. In any areas where your
reference point is the past, find a future promise in Scripture. You can put the past behind you by
refusing to allow your past to determine how you will respond in the present.
EMAIL:
Quoted as one of today's leading
motivational speakers by ESSENCE
magazine, Leadher Coach Scott™ shares
life-changing truths with practical wisdom,
humor and insight. Currently, a columnist
for StreamingFaith.com, her workshops
and seminars are popular at women's,
singles' and youth conferences. For more
info, also visit feliciascott.com or myspace.
com/upliftagency. Follow her at www.twitter.
com/coachfelicia.
Email Coach Scott:
coachscott@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook
Facebook.com
motivational speakers by ESSENCE
magazine, Leadher Coach Scott™ shares
life-changing truths with practical wisdom,
humor and insight. Currently, a columnist
for StreamingFaith.com, her workshops
and seminars are popular at women's,
singles' and youth conferences. For more
info, also visit feliciascott.com or myspace.
com/upliftagency. Follow her at www.twitter.
com/coachfelicia.
Email Coach Scott:
coachscott@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook
Facebook.com
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coaching all say the same thing about
different things. They each battle the feeling
of being stuck! They feel trapped by the
sameness of their minutes, days, years, etc.
Inwardly, they sense there is more and they
truly want it. But somewhere deep within lies
the fear that things will always be the same.
They think the problem is the external, but in
truth, they are trapped by the invisible, but
evident, power of unbelief.
I wish I could say I don’t know how that feels,
but I’m no stranger to the state of stuck.
There have been and continue to be many
moments when I look at my life and wonder,
“What’s next?” Thankfully, there have been
times when God intervenes with an
unexpected opportunity that changes things
overnight. Sometimes, I am able to
temporarily psyche myself into being okay
with the monotony.
different things. They each battle the feeling
of being stuck! They feel trapped by the
sameness of their minutes, days, years, etc.
Inwardly, they sense there is more and they
truly want it. But somewhere deep within lies
the fear that things will always be the same.
They think the problem is the external, but in
truth, they are trapped by the invisible, but
evident, power of unbelief.
I wish I could say I don’t know how that feels,
but I’m no stranger to the state of stuck.
There have been and continue to be many
moments when I look at my life and wonder,
“What’s next?” Thankfully, there have been
times when God intervenes with an
unexpected opportunity that changes things
overnight. Sometimes, I am able to
temporarily psyche myself into being okay
with the monotony.
August 16-30
| EEWMAGAZINE.COM |
