Originally posted 2016-07-19 00:25:28.
Hi!
Is your first thought to this question, “What is IT?” After all, “IT” can be anything. Yes it can. So let’s replace “IT” with a thing, place, status, emotion, action, person, or position that you want. After all, the question is, “How bad do you want it?”
How bad do you want a prosperous life? How bad do you want a successful career, family, or ministry? How bad do you want to not allow the opinions of people to dictate your actions? How bad do you want to sit in a meeting and not feel intimidated? How bad do you want to get over that person who walked away from you? How bad do you want a new home, car, or job? How bad do you want that promotion? How bad do you want to start that business? How bad do you want your existing business to take off? How bad do you want to connect with movers and shakers? How bad do you want to be an example for your children; or for other women (if you are a woman); or for other men (if you are a man)?
There’s more…
How bad do you want to stop crying over everything? How bad do you want to be happy? How bad do you want a spouse? How bad do you want a confidante, or a friend you can trust? How bad do you want your children saved? How bad do you want to go to college? How bad do you want your ministry to spring out of routine? How bad do you want a GED? How bad do you want to teach at a university? How bad do you want to please God? How bad do you want to step out and do what you have been called to do? How bad do you want to make sure that you leave a legacy for your family? How bad do you want to make sure that your life is in line with the Word of God? …Well, the question is: “What are you doing about it?”
Years ago when my Mika was a little girl she came to me with a sad soft tone and said, “I don’t have any friends in school. They won’t talk to me.?” At the time, my mother was on the run; so I couldn’t ask her. I looked up friends in the concordance of my Bible and came across Proverbs 18:24 it says, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” The {a} clause stuck out to me. I read the scripture to Mika and asked, “Do you start talking to people first, Mika?” She said, “No.” I told her that she has to talk and be friendly; then the children will talk to her. Not long after we had that conversation; Mika had plenty of friends. She did something about what she wanted, and it worked.
Isn’t there something you can do about it?
I know that you are saying that you are not in control of everything you want. Yes! You are absolutely right. Yet, you can do things to place yourself in position to receive. If that job you want requires some college, why not take a class or two? It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you were in school. Do it!
If you have dreams to start a business, and you have pages of plans; take the leap. Even if you are working on a job that doesn’t pay an astronomical wage; don’t lose heart. Perhaps you can pick up a part-time second job for a year or so, curtail spending, and save start-up money? Or why not do some research on obtaining venture capital for start-ups, and step out on faith? Go for it.
And singles, think about it. You can’t make anyone want you. But what are you doing to prepare for a potential spouse; or even a relationship? If you are a slob and won’t keep your body or clothes clean, who will want you? It doesn’t matter how fine you are; if you stank, it’s a turn off. By the way; onions and fresh garlic season food really well; but they are not your breath’s friends.
If you want to buy a new home and your credit is poor, why not start paying those delinquent bills off? If you’ve been allowing other people’s opinions dampen your esteem; what about searching yourself? Discover your God-given attributes. Recognize characteristics about you that are good, nice, pretty, handsome, smart, creative, innovative, caring, exciting, or interesting. You can also ask yourself a question: “Do you need what you want?”
Sometimes it’s not about what you want, but it’s about what you need.
One morning, I drove over to my cousin’s house to pick up money that she was donating to help my niece pay for her mother’s funeral. I rang the bell several times, but no one answered the door. I called my cousin’s cell phone; but no answer. Then I rang the bell again and decided to leave. But as I turned to walk towards my car, the Lord said, “Call the house phone.” I dialed the house number; and it rang and rang. Just when I was getting ready to disconnect the call, my cousin’s husband answered the door; not the phone, but the door. Normally, I would have left sooner; but I needed to help my niece. The question, “How bad do you want it rang loud in my ears on that morning.” I was torn between leaving and continuing to try. I didn’t want to stay. I wanted to leave, because I was tired. My head was bothering me; but I needed to stay. I was a bit irritated, because, my cousin had told me to come over at a specific time, and she was not answering the door or my calls. I wanted to leave; but I realized that what I needed outweighed what I wanted. My friend, think about it; “What do you need?”
Do you need to stop listening to people tear you down to the point where it makes you feel bad about yourself? Yes! Do you need to have a relationship with God? Yes! Do you need to read your Bible so that you can have peace? Yes! Do you need to get on your knees and pray more? Yes! Do you need to let go of toxic relationships? Yes! Do you need to go and do what the Lord has called you to do? Yes! Maybe, you need to look at what you need versus, what you want?
The Lord God knows what we all need. There are times when we are not sure about what we need; but God knows. The other day, as I drove down the road to the library; I looked up in the sky at the clouds.
I thought, “I will lift up mines eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help; all of my help comes from the Lord.” I thought, “I want to be closer to God. I want to be happy. I don’t want to be sad about my daughter and my sister’s deaths anymore. My heart is hurting. My heart is so broken now. But even with a broken heart, I still want to be happy.” The question came into my spirit, “Rochelle, do you really want to be happy?” I said, “YES!” Then what I want started flowing out of my mouth. I said, “Yes, I want to be happy! Yes, I do want to complete the PhD program! Yes, I want to serve God to the best of my ability! Yes, I want this! Yes, I want that! Then the question came back, “How bad do you want it?”
Now as I end today’s writing, another question has attached to, “How bad do you want it?” It is, “When are you going to do your part about achieving your IT?” Wow!! I guess it’s time.
My friends, thank you for joining me today. The Scriptures on my heart today are, Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (KJV) Psalm 37:4 ” Delight thy self also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (KJV).
I’ll leave you with the question, “How bad do you want it?” I’d love to hear from you. We’ll talk soon.
Blessings!
Rochelle
