Maximizing Your Potential

This opposition often occurs because your critics aren’t doing anything. Those who are working out their own dreams don’t need to be threatened by your accomplishments. They are too busy to be jealous and too confident to worry how your success might affect them. Thus, you must be careful of those who are doing nothing with their potential. They will be your greatest critics. Learn to expect their opposition and to rise above it. Refuse to get drawn into their petty quarrels or to allow their words and actions to influence your self esteem or your behavior. Every dream you share has the potential to cause jealousy, so be careful with whom you share your dreams. Sometimes you must keep your dream to yourself because no other person can understand it. Indeed, your dreams may sound funny or pretentious to others. Just stick with what you’re supposed to do until you achieve what you’re after, and let those who are going nowhere go there without you. Others who are pursuing their purpose and maximizing their potential will understand your behavior, even if they can’t see your particular vision. Find them and enjoy their company, for those who are going somewhere are more likely to support you in your journey. This is an essential factor in guarding your potential. Prepare to overcome satan’s attack. One way you can prepare to defend your potential is to make wise choices . Consider carefully with whom you associate and where you spend your time. Examine your reading material and how you fill your day. Be cautious with whom you share your dreams—if you share them at all. A second priority in preparing to meet satan’s attack is to be sure that your vision is from God . Don’t conjure up your own ideas. If they contradict God’s Word, you know your ideas are not from Him. God will not deny His Word. False dreams and fake prophecies are sure ways to lose your potential. Satan will distract you any way he can. Prepare for his attack by staying in close fellowship with God and by seeking His knowledge and wisdom. A third method for fortifying yourself against the assault of evil is to seek God’s discipline and direction in your life. Be truthful in your dealings. Act with justice and virtue. Live at peace with others in so far as it is within your power, being careful, however, not to compromise your loyalty and obedience to God and His Word. Seek His chastening when you have failed and “rejoice in [your] sufferings, because. suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3b-5). God will honor your efforts to obey Him and, in so doing, you will guard your potential. Stand firm in the midst of attack. Sooner or later, satan is going to step over the boundaries of your defense