In this life, situations will come up which will require us to put our foot down, put up a resistance and fight.
For the most part, our fights as children of God are good fights of faith. I am not talking about stirring up trouble, bullying others, or putting stumbling blocks in the paths of those we may not like.
Rather, I’m talking about cultivating a fighting spirit.
We need not only be on the defensive, but we must also be willing and ready to be on the offensive.
Most of us are more comfortable being on the defensive because we generally will not start a fight or stir up trouble, but we will respond if confronted. We are inclined to react to situations. Therefore, we find ourselves being defensive and reactionary. For example, when we lose a job, face illness, or endure accusations, that’s when we begin to “bind and cast” or start considering our options. We tend to respond once we’re confronted by adversity.
Let’s talk about being on the offensive.
Being on the offensive means we are not necessarily waiting for life to happen to us, we are triggering and making things happen; we anticipate and initiate. This proactive mindset requires both insight (understanding the present) and foresight (anticipating the future).
This allows us to initiate change before a crisis forces it. It positions us for promotion and growth, and positive transformation.
Consider a few examples. We may have to change our diets to eat healthy and thereby preventing illnesses and potentially improving the quality of our long-term health. We may have to exercise the discipline to save money in case of unforeseen circumstances like a job loss. We may want to intentionally cultivate our relationships and friendship circles for moments when we need support and encouragement.
Life is always evolving, and change is often necessary.
But I have noticed that change is one of the most difficult things to go through for many of us.
That’s why I would say that making a change is a fight on the offensive. Fighting hurts; it potentially exposes you in areas that would make you uncomfortable. You may be judged and called out for taking bold steps. We generally do not want to go through this process. Those that go on the offensive are usually perceived as risk takers and transformational individuals. They understand the value of the reward and are willing to take the necessary steps in the first place to achieve it.
Being on the offensive means that you are not swayed by everyone’s expectations and the norms of the society or your community. You have a goal to achieve, and you are focused on achieving it. It means you will intentionally do what best suits you in the moment, or what will put you in a better position for the future. It also means you will not compromise structures you have in place for your well-being despite external pressures.
May I say something else? The fact that everyone is moving doesn’t mean you have to. Let me share a personal story. I remember when my daughter was almost one year old, most other babies of the same age where being moved from their rear facing car seats to the front facing ones. I was tempted to make the switch for her too. Although she was tall, she was still under the recommended weight. When other moms would approach me about the car seat, I would explain my unique situation and how I was prepared to wait. I prioritized safety over the trend and the temptation to ‘feel among’. That’s what being offensive looks like—choosing conviction over convenience.
Basically, you want to consider why everyone is moving and if you should too.
Change is vital. Be open to making changes when necessary—even if it is often. We prefer stability over instability, familiarity over the unfamiliar, predictability over unpredictability.
You see this is all but natural to us. Our brains are wired to prefer routine and clarity. Our brain will attempt to program outcomes of predictability to the extent that when we face uncertain situations, our brain will release cortisol, the stress hormone which causes us to feel anxiety, discomfort and stressed out.
Therefore, we must train our minds to handle the unknown and uncertainties with resilience, to get to the next level in life.
I have come to understand that God does not always provide us with a detailed map to our destinations. He asks we believe and take the essential first step. I have experienced the power of God on many occasions when I took a first step of action in Faith. I am always amazed to see things begin to fall into place.
That’s why the Bible repeatedly says, “Do not fear.” This means to engage your mind positively, triggering reactions of excitement and inspiration to the brain. Let your brain release dopamine to keep you inspired instead of fearful and anxious when cortisol is released.
Embrace the courage to change. Square your shoulders when facing uncertainty. There are activities you can engage in to keep your mind positive. In addition, understand that prayer and faith have a lot to do with giving you the needed courage to make bold moves, to make the necessary changes even if scary and to just be on the offensive when required.
If God is calling you to shift, don’t hesitate. Take that step. Step out in faith.
The truth is that we need to keep moving ahead. We need to advance and make progress in different aspects of our lives. Change is almost always necessary to get to the next level. Permit me to encourage you using the quote of a famous shoe company, “Just do it”.
Yes!!!