A goal is different from a hope or dream. The purpose is not to simply mark down what we desire, but to create actions and tasks in order to achieve that desire. Often we like to think of goals as these things we constantly think about and long for, which provide hope, but sometimes we actually have goals that we know we need to accomplish, but actually strike us with fear and horror. Missions, marriage, having children, obtaining a degree, repenting; these all can create paralyzing anxiety. Most of us are good at understanding that we need to do something, but we don’t know how. The how is what I want to tackle today. Throughout my life I’ve found simple tools and ways of looking at goals that I may or may not have ripped off from friends, leaders, and gurus. Here’s how it works.
Continue reading Breaking Down Big Scary Monster Goals → 
I’m a lazy person. Maybe other people are the same, and don’t admit it. Still, even if I am in the high percentile of unmotivated bums, everybody experiences the opposing force of procrastination to some degree. Temptations may often immediately follow the tasks and promptings that come to us throughout the day. In reference to our callings, the Lord has warned that, “….it is not meet that [he] should command in all things…”, and that “he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.” ¹ If we’re honest, it’s painfully apparent how often we’re slothful in our righteous actions— particularly when it comes to our callings. Our human tendency to shirk and wait around to be yelled at before we will magnify our callings can be overcome if we prepare to serve.
Continue reading Preparing to Serve → 
Each of us has a notion of what it means to have a perfect balance in life. We idealize those who seem to have their priorities in line, and marvel at their ability to do so much. Mostly though, our conception of how they operate is superficial. Examine anybody’s life in closer detail and you’ll see the familiar storm of unsettling circumstances, soul-wringing decisions, and ever-changing focus. In the church especially, we tend to fetishize the idea of balance. Inadvertently, we create a goal for our lifestyle which is unattainable, and thus, we remain unsatisfied. Tying our hopes to a false expectation always leads to suffering. That’s exactly why an incorrect understanding of balance is so detrimental. A correct understanding of it, however, allows progress and growth. In that light, a proper definition of balance is not to be in a state of equilibrium, but rather, an ability to fluidly prioritize according to circumstance.
Continue reading Rethinking Balance → 
It can be easy to wonder at those who seem, with supreme confidence, to breeze through life in full self-esteem. I have news for you: they are big-time fakers. Everyone faces discouragement and the confidence-draining feelings of disappointment and doubt. However, there are those who use disappointment as a launching-platform for progress. What separates them from those who always seem to lose in the battle against discouragement?
Continue reading Defeating Discouragement → As disciples of Christ, we endeavor to overcome the natural state of mortal cares and desires. Perhaps we have a model in mind of what sort of person we would like to become. C.S. Lewis provided a brief outline of his desired “new man” and his attending characteristics: “Already the new men are [...] |
