How To Overcome That Which Is Sabotaging You

In this post we're going to talk about

1. those times where you don't do what you knew you should have done
2. the feelings you are tempted to feel when that happens
3. and what to do next: the 5 second rule
   

A Story

I've been #evangelising for years and I'll admit I've had some conversations go the wrong way. It's not that I got offensive or anything, it was more like I froze and let things get awkward.

Just last night as I was dropping off my wife at work I get "the nudge." You know that feeling where you're happily minding your own business and it's as if God sticks a hot finger right into your guy saying, "Do this for me would you?"

"The Nudge..."

If you've had it before you know how uncomfortable it can be because it's always outside of your comfort zone.

Well last night I get the nudge to go to the book store next to my wife's work. I figured I could at least check it out.

But as I was walking in I said out loud, "I at least need to know why I'm going in there!" To which I immediately thought of a purple sweater or jacket.

As soon as I walk into the store there's an older lady to my left wearing a purple jacket and I grumble... "ugh I hope it's not her. I hate talking to old people."

I know, it was a bad attitude, but I'm being vulnerable with you here; that was my thought.

So I wander around the entire book store hoping to find someone younger wearing a purple hoodie or jacket or something. With the youth I at least find a common connection point where I can show them a card trick or something. Older people not so much.

Nope. She was the only one. And she was in the purchasing line getting ready to leave the store.

The Panic Thoughts

I then allowed my thoughts to get the best of me:

• She's standing in line, how am I just going to go up to her and be all weird?
• What do I say?
• She's leaving, I can't chase her!

I figure if I stand at the front of the store and wait for her I could maybe pull her aside and say something quietly.

Just as she walks up to me to head out the door, I head out with her but I say nothing. At this point I am right in the middle of this thing and missing every second of every chance.

It's like I'm stalking her now!

We were even parked in the same direction so we were walking together for at least a moment long enough for me to stop her and see what God had in mind.

But...I kept walking until I got to my car. She got in hers, drove away, and I dropped the ball. Ever been there before?

Tempted to Feel This Way When You Fail

Chances are you've experienced something similar before where you felt God telling you to do something and you ended up bailing out instead.

Afterwards you would have felt:

• guilt
• #shame
• embarrassment
• repentant [God give me another chance!]

Those feelings are normal to have because I think God uses it as a teachable moment. He puts in a little conviction within us to show us that we need to be serious about following His orders when He gives them out.

His orders are not only to better the lives of others, but also to better ourselves.

I think in this moment there are a few things we need to keep in mind so that we don't allow ourselves to get into self condemnation over it:

1. God can see all things before they happen so He knew you were going to bail the way you did. In spite of the ball being dropped, God still had a purpose to it.
2. God created the universe with a single sentence. He's creative enough to get that person another way - even if you were His initial intention.
3. There is now therefore no condemnation for those who believe. Not from God at least. That leaves only three other options: condemnation from the world, from the devil, or from you. It ain't from God, so you don't have to support it.
4. Conviction over it is okay. It's showing you that you have a sensitive heart to God and really do want to follow His leading and be obedient. Simply ask Him for another chance or another opportunity.

What To Do Next: The 5 Second Rule

This is not the same rule as when you drop food on the floor and you have 5 Seconds to pick it up before you can't eat it.

This is actually a bit deeper than that and as simple as it is, it's extremely powerful. It wasn't really invented but it was put into a "product" type form by Mel Robbins.

Essentially it is this:

The 5 Second Rule is simple. If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it.

Between the moment you get that "nudge" instinct you have only a few seconds before your thoughts kill it with reasons not to follow through.

For example in my case with the woman in the purple coat:

• come on you have the dog in the car, you can't leave her there
• she's buying her book, how are you going to not look weird about this?
• she's an older person, you know that you're better with youth
• etc

Mel says if you do not take action on your instinct, you will stay stagnant. You will not do it.

But if you do one simple thing, you can prevent your mind from working against you. You can start the momentum before the barrage of thoughts and excuses hit you at full force.

What's That?

Just start counting backwards to yourself: 5-4-3-2-1.

The counting will focus you on the goal or commitment and distract you from the worries, thoughts, and excuses in your mind.

As soon as you get to “one” – make yourself move.

This is how you push yourself to do the hard stuff – the work that you don’t feel like doing, or you’re scared of doing, or you’re avoiding.

That’s it. 5 seconds is all it takes.

If you don’t act on an instinct within that 5 second window, that’s it. You’re not doing it.

Summary

Here's the steps:

1. Feel the nudge or instinct
2. Count down from 5 out loud
3. Physically move towards the goal
4. Do it

And if all else fails and you "drop the ball" again, just get yourself back up, dust yourself off, ask for another opportunity, and keep your eyes open.

God trusts you with these moments. That's why He asks you to do them in the first place. You ARE READY and ABLE.

Enjoy!

So What Are Your Thoughts?

What's something you've been putting off that can be overcome with the 5 Second Rule? Post below and let us know!