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In the age of “rise & grind”, “hustling” and “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” I think it’s safe to say our generation is consumed with obtaining success. This could be for a multitude of reasons 1) Our generation is characterized by taking risks and not waiting around on employers to choose us, but choosing ourselves instead. 2) We are constantly exposed to the success stories of millions – all you have to do is scroll through your Instagram feed and in seconds you’ll have seen an engagement announcement, a pregnancy announcement, find out that a friend got a new job, found out that another friend is moving overseas and yet even another friend successfully launched a clothing line and is now seemingly being paid to post about being amazing or 3) the boom in the life coach industry.

Now hear me out on that last one, if you’re like me you see ads on FB, Instagram, etc. at least once a week from individuals sharing their success story. It may sound something like “This time last year I was living out of a shoe box and one day decided enough was enough. I decided to kick start my destiny and now in just 12 months I’ve made 8 trillion dollars and I travel wherever I want and eat all the great foods all while working from home and it was so easy. I can show you how when you sign up for my FREE online training today!” The allure is so tempting. You think to yourself, “really? 8 trillion dollars? I’m in!”

Our comparison kills our contentment and what I’ve realized is that the success stories of others are in no way an indication of our future if we attempt the same methods. As a woman who believes in purpose to no end, I’ve seen individuals try the same things that made others millions and fail at them, not because they weren’t trying but because that is not the life God predestined for them. Sadly, without understanding that fact, these individuals label themselves at failures and the next time they’re presented with an opportunity, either don’t go after it or do so with less enthusiasm that they had in the beginning.

In order to overcome the fear of failure, you must acknowledge this very important fact – God does not view failure and success the way we do.

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We need look no further than the Bible to see an example of this. In Luke 12:13-21 Jesus tells a parable about a rich man. “There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. He began to think to himself, ‘I don’t have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? This is what I will do,’ he told himself; ‘I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store the grain and all my other goods. Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink and enjoy yourself!’ But God said to him ‘You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have ep for yourself?’” And Jesus concluded, “This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God’s sight.” (GNT)

Now on paper, this man was clearly doing well for himself. He had such a surplus of crops that he had to build bigger barns just to store them! And his tendency to eat, drink and be merry is a very human response to such “success.” But God views him as having failed because His riches were confined to this world. As my old pastor used to say, this man was perfectly content with the “get all you can, can all you get and then sit on the can” mindset. He wasn’t interested in giving to the church, or putting something aside for future generations. He found success in his financial status.

You may be saying “okay Brie, that’s a nice Bible story, but how does this apply to me on a practical level?” Allow me to give you a real life example. If you know me and have followed my story, you know I graduated from the University of Missouri in 2013 with my Bachelor’s of Journalism. Mind you, Mizzou is the #1 journalism school in the country and publications across the USA know its reputation so for the sake of argument, let’s say I had my range of choices for employment in my field upon graduation.

For many being able to shout from the mountain top that you didn’t just waste 4 years in college because your job will stand as a daily confirmation that it was worth it is a sign of success. But, upon graduation I didn’t do anything in the field of journalism. Instead, I moved 789 miles south of Columbia to New Orleans to do a year of service. By some people’s standards, this may have been considered a fail but I knew it was a success because I was moving to New Orleans in direct response to a calling I felt God share with me.

I didn’t allow the fear of the future to keep me from moving. I opened myself up to being used for His glory and though my job had seemingly nothing to do with journalism, the more time I spent around people and the more I was able to share my faith, the more glimpses of my purpose He gave me. I understood a fact that I try to tell as many people as possible – when God has His hands on you, you will not fail, at least not by His standards. You don’t have to constantly fret over whether or not you made the right decision or chose the right thing. You get to rest in the truth of Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which he predestined.

As a woman of faith, I know how much money I make, how many books I write, the number of people who attend my workshops or hire me to speak does not matter nearly as much as how many people I tell about God’s love. Why? Because that’s the only thing that will effect eternity.

If you’re reading this post today and are tired of getting caught up in the rat race, if you want success God’s way and to experience a type of peace that surpasses all understanding but have not accepted Jesus as your personal savior, please pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

I’m tired of hustling. Being on my grind every moment of every day is exhausting and does not fulfill me in the way it promises. I’m ready to tap into the kind of success that pleases you. I admit that I am a sinner. Until today, I have always lived my life my way. I am sorry and I repent. I ask that you forgive me.

I believe that your son died on the cross and was raised on the third day so that I no longer have to live enslaved. I come to you ready to surrender all that I have so that you can fully use me. Please act as Lord over my life, help me to see myself as your handiwork so that I may pursue the purpose you predestined for me. I love you and I know I will spend eternity with you in heaven.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

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