Chapter 38

The biggest trap anyone can fall into that prevents success is FEAR (fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of pain, fear of rejection…). Overcoming fear is a major obstacle for most, but like anything, it is easier to conquer if approached a little bit at a time. Consider the analogy of a weightlifter who desires to lift heavy but can only handle small dumbbells right now –well, you have to start somewhere and at least you’re taking action, so just remember to lift a little more than you did last time and –walla, you’re making progress.

Sometimes people procrastinate and put off till tomorrow what should be done today. Remember that the road to “someday” leads to a town called “nowhere.” How can you get started? Make a decision… right now, to change, and make measurable progress in your life every day. I am now purposefully (and simply) writing in very universal platitudes in an effort to appeal to those who wish to overcome life problems other than just drugs and alcohol.

Sometimes people have no idea what they want, and when they do know what they want, they do nothing about it. Others take action and get easily discouraged with little or no immediate results. Do your actions always work out? No, of course not –many people fail far more often than they succeed. But the key is –keep on trying. Knowledge is not power in and of itself, it only has the potential for power if used properly and accompanied by action.

Here is the pathway to success, God’s way, beautifully laid out for us in the Bible in 2 Peter 1:5-8 “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV) For after all, being productive and useful in the Kingdom of God is our ultimate success.