I’m pleased to offer you this guest post from my friend, author Kelly Balarie. She has a new book out, Battle Ready: Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt, and Live Victoriously. Here’s Kelly in her own words (I think you’ll be able to relate!):
This morning, I came into the house with groceries. All was fine and dandy until I adjusted the items on the shelves. The second I did that – multiple boxes of food fell directly on my head. As usual, as unorganized as I always, I knew: I was a mess.
You idiot! Can’t you ever keep your house tidy?
My mind kicked into “highly-critical” mode. Internally, I felt furious at my imperfections.
There was a man who approached Jesus saying, ““All these (commandments) I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” (Mt. 19:20)
Jesus replies, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mt. 19:21)
I used to look at this rich man and think he couldn’t follow Jesus because he hoarded money. Now I wonder if it is in large part, because he wanted to be perfect? To appear perfect?
Often, my desire to be perfect makes me angry. It makes me angry that I am not better. It makes me upset at my children’s ways that embarrass me. It makes me uncomfortable with people seeing me exposed. It makes me uneasy with failure.
Jesus noted it is in the letting go, that we can truly follow Him. Disciples are imperfect daughters following Jesus, anyway…
Jesus came for sinners. He loves sinners. He dines with sinners. Jesus doesn’t need my every i dotted and my every t crossed, He desires my heart, my commitment and my abandon.
To be battle ready is to let go of my mind to control and to get everything right so that I can seize the mind of Christ.
Do you feel battle ready?
God is prepared to renew our minds, then transform our lives. He is ready to bring us to lands of peace, purpose, passion and faith, despite whatever trial rages around us. The Conqueror, Jesus, is there to help us, even if we don’t do it perfectly.
To take the “Find Your Battle Style” quiz, and for other freebies, visit: www.iambattleready.com
Battle Ready is a hands-on scriptural plan that teaches you twelve easy-to-implement, confidence-building mind-sets designed to transform your thoughts and, therefore, your life. You’ll gain practical wisdom, like how to
- make new habits stick in just five steps
- disarm the seven most common attacks that plague women
- exchange self-limiting thoughts for purpose-driven, love-releasing thoughts
- implement thirty-second mind-lifters that deliver peace
Kelly Balarie, an author and national speaker, is on a mission to encourage others not to give up. Through times of extreme testing, Kelly believes there is hope for every woman, every battle and in every circumstance. Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, 700 Club Interactive, Moody Radio and other television and radio broadcasts. When Kelly is not writing, she is chilling at the beach with her husband, a latte, and 2-toddlers who rightfully demand she build them awesome castles.
