I know many of us have made a list of goals for this new year. Already you may be faced with giving up on your dream. Whether it is weight loss, managing money, exercising, spending quiet time with God, or being a better friend, we can sometimes get in the way of our own progress. Let me explain. I’m sure we can remember hurtful things someone has said to us in the past, like “No, you are not _____” or “No you can’t _____” (you fill in the blank.) But I often find myself saying the same hurtful things inside my head. Even simple goals can seem impossible at times. I can become my own worst enemy. I talk myself out of trying “one more time” because I am afraid of failing again. I may start out with good intentions, but later I find myself sabotaging my efforts because I feel inadequate. I fear failing. I fear I will be unable to do what needs to be done, so I give up trying.
I heard Joyce Meyer say once, that fear literally means “to take flight”. Conversely, when the Bible says to “fear not,” it doesn’t mean the absence of feeling afraid, but rather to “not take flight.” In other words, don’t run away from what frightens you. You have to do it AFRAID. The Bible says in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not Fear; I will Help You.’” I love that verse, don’t you? God wants to help us achieve our goals.
Thomas Edison said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time.” So when someone (or even you) says, “No you can’t _____,” say instead “Yes I can!” And when you hear someone (or yourself) say, “No, you are not _____,” say “Yes I am!” Don’t talk yourself out of reaching your goals. Stop and remember WHO God says you are and WHAT God says you can do. For nothing is impossible with God.
Here is a song I co-wrote with a student. I hope it blesses you today.
Yes I Can.
Song Lyrics co-written by Esther Carlson and Subaas Gurung, copyright 2012.
Today was the best day I’ve had in a while –
My confidence soaring, my face in a smile.
It’s clear as the daylight, no cloud in my mind:
I am strong and successful and one-of-a-kind
And this is the song that I will sing.
I know that I was made for better things.
Yes I can
Yes I am
I think therefore I am.
Oh but today was the worst day that I can recall.
Don’t talk to me; I’ll just curl up in a ball.
Oh, but that kind of thinking won’t do any good,
So I’ll fight to remember what I once understood…
And this is the song that I will sing.
I know that I was made for better things.
Yes I can
Yes I am
I think therefore I am.
I am loved
I am special
I am valued
Full of potential
I hold something of worth inside of me.
I’ll choose to hold my ground and to agree… I’ll enjoy being me!
Yes I can
Yes I am
I think therefore I am.
