for as he thinks within himself, so he is… Proverbs 23:7 (International Standard Version)
For a long time now, I’ve listened to my oldest talk about how he has no flexibility. After learning so much about our words and thoughts, I couldn’t allow it anymore. This is the same boy who couldn’t even pass a simple swim test one year, but within two years was in the very small percentage at camp that could swim one mile.
When he started talking about his lack of flexibility again this year, I had to put a stop to it. There would be no more of that defeated talk in this house! It took me back to when I was younger dealing with the exact same issue. I wasn’t flexible and everyone agreed with me, confirming it. I refused to confirm it for him.
You see, it wasn’t that I had no flexibility when I was young, it was that I didn’t nurture it. When I was much older, I learned that flexibility isn’t something you are necessarily born with. I had the physical ability inside me all along, I just had to obtain it through stretching exercises.
My problem was that I had a mental thought blocking my progress. That mental thought was adamant and spoke louder than my physical body. My body just agreed with what I was telling it until I got some gumption to stand up to my defeated thinking.
I strongly believed that it shouldn’t take my son as many years as it took me to realize the importance of our thinking. I gave him the necessary information and encouraged him to change instead of complaining. This started about a month ago, and I’m pleased to say that he is able to stretch farther than he ever thought possible with a few daily changes. He’s been doing a weekly sit-and-reach test, which he records. He’s seeing a dramatic difference!
Just like my son, we must stretch ourselves in order to improve and grow. We can’t let our own doubts make us permanently stand still. Also, don’t ever allow any other person to get inside your head and create doubts in your own ability. In order to reach what we’re aiming for, it might take work…hard work. That’s true, but the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end is awesome. Plus, it gives us the confidence to try something else we didn’t think we could achieve.
Don’t quit when it looks like you “can’t” do something. It’s usually information and gumption that is needed at this point. Go searching and just start moving forward. You’ll see the positive results before long! Think it within yourself with sincerity. I know you’ll be able to do whatever is good and right that you put your mind to. You’ve got God backing you, so I challenge you to stretch!
