mar's Desk

marcoujor: Pass the Chocolate

2/27/2017

Several days ago, a good friend sent me the following list of 19 things to consider giving up this Lent and beyond, right on time for today's Ash Wednesday post.

Expecting to see chocolate, alcohol and the like, I was pleasantly surprised to find a list filled with sage personal suggestions.

I did a bit more research and found this list originally included a total of 40 things by Rev. Phil Ressler. Click here if you want to check out the article.

Meanwhile, here is the shortened version...

19 things you might consider giving up this Lent and beyond:

💠Fear: God is on my side. In Him I am more than a conqueror. (See Romans 98)

💠The need to please everyone: I can’t please everyone anyway. There is only one I need to strive to please.

💠Envy: I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

💠Impatience: God’s timing is the perfect timing.

💠Sense of entitlement: The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.

💠Bitterness and Resentment: The only person I am hurting by holding onto these is myself.

💠Blame: I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.

💠Gossip and Negativity: I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic and bring other people down.

💠Comparison: I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.

💠Fear of failure: You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fall forward.

💠A spirit of poverty: Believe with God that there is always more than enough and never a lack.

💠Feelings of unworthiness: You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (see Psalm 139)

💠Doubt: Believe God has a plan for you that is beyond anything you could imagine. The future is brighter than you could ever realize.

💠Self-pity: God comforts us in our sorrow so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

💠Retirement: As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. That does not come to an end until the day we die.

💠Excuses: A wise man once said, if you need an excuse, any excuse will do.

💠Lack of counsel: Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.

💠Pride: Blessed are the humble.

💠Worry: God is in control and worrying will not help.

I don't know about you but I feel truly lighter as I ponder each of these weighty issues. This season I have posted this list next to my Vision Board where I am reviewing it on a daily basis. I'm hoping to ultimately give up each of these burdens for the long haul.

I'm sharing this universal wisdom with you, along with some chocolate. No matter what religion you ascribe to, I hope you find it as valuable, and delicious, as I have.