The Thing that Distinguishes Success

The Lord has filled my heart with huge dreams and big ambitions. As these dreams are beginning to come to fruition He has continued to teach me how to handle success and setbacks. A few weeks ago I read Blake Mycoskie’s book “Start Something That Matters.” While there are many inspiring quotes and great lessons throughout the book, there were a few pages I marked that I thought were worth sharing. The words below are just one of the many lesson’s the Lord has been teaching me recently.

“Setbacks and fear are inevitable. The thing that distinguishes the ultimate successes from the ultimate failure is this: What do you do with them?

This is the moment when too many people turn back, give up, or start thinking of excuses for or explanations of why they should call it quits. I completely understand this instinct. 

Fear is one of our most powerful emotions, and the more we focus on it, the more it grows and distorts our behavior. But there’s a way through it. Instead of focusing on the fear itself, which you cannot control, focus on what you can control: your actions.”

I do love this tip. Focus on what you can control- you actions. But I would also add prayer. Prayer changes things. Prayer impacts things.

Through setbacks and success, focus on what you can control and leave it all up to God. He has the ultimate control.