John Harrell's Blog, page 93

The Limelight

We experience great, even phenomenal performances by gifted athletes, musicians, actors and speakers. Their God-given talents appear to be effortless.

Behind every great performance lies hours and hours of preparation. Many lonely times and frustrating setbacks are part of their journey. Yet they press on.

Everything we see in the limelight was prepared in the dark, sometimes in the darkest of times…

The TikTok Generation

TikTok has robbed us of our ability to focused like a laser beam. The short, oftentimes entertaining videos hit the pleasure spot in the brain, so we keep scrolling. we are consciously rewiring our brains.

I encourage you to wean yourself off most social media. Replace TikTok with a book. Take back your mind…

Painful

Pain is a tool, and pain has a purpose. No one escapes life on this side of eternity without experiencing pain.

Oftentimes we hide our pain from the world. We want everyone to believe we “have it all together.” But when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and openly share what we are going through, it creates intimacy with others. Our challenges in life can be used to encourage and inspire others.

So whatever you are experiencing or have experienced in the past, let go of your pride and share it with the world. You never know who you might help…

Potential

All of us have unique gifts. Whether or not we use them is up to us. This also applies to how we use them.

If you are a good communicator, are you spreading light and encouragement, or fear and dread? The message will be taken seriously because you have the gift of communication.

Use your God-given potential the way He wants you to. After all, God is the one who gave you your unique gifts…

Reach Out

The pandemic shredded mental health. People’s lives have been altered in ways no one could have predicted. Anxiety, which was already high, is soaring.

We need human connection. People need to be seen and heard. Take the lead and reach out to your friends, family and acquaintances. They will feel appreciated and valued, and you will benefit as well.

Be the one…

Persevere

Life can be hard. Sometimes the challenges we face can feel overwhelming. We look for brighter days, but they are nowhere in sight.

I want to encourage you, that if you are in a dark, difficult period of life, just keep going. It’s impossible to beat someone who won’t give up…

Used

Have you ever been used by someone? I believe we all have been used at one time or another. It hurts to know you were meaningless to another person.

Users have a different type of personality disorder. They can rationalize their sick behavior, never acknowledging the pain and carnage they leave in their wake. They simply move on to their next prey.

Here’s a counterintuitive way to deal with the users. Pray for them. Honestly pray for them. Prayer changes you, whether they change or not…

Uncertainty

No human being can predict the future. Every moment of every day is an uncertainty. People resist change and crave consistency and certainty in their lives, but that’s not possible.

Embrace the uncertainty of life. Develop the attitude where you don’t know what’s around the next corner, but you believe it’s something good! It’s all about mindset…

Trips

Life is a trip. Sometimes it’s a stroll down the yellow brick road, while other times it’s an acid trip. Either way, we are all on this trip together.

Try to find a way to encourage people you meet in this life. We don’t always know what they are going through, but we can do our best to lift them up. Perhaps it’s a genuine offer to pray for them (or with them), a smile, or maybe just making eye contact is enough.

When you give to others, you get back. And you always get more in return…

Achievements

Greatness happens through hard work, commitment and humility. The greatest leaders, Jesus, Mother Theresa and Abraham Lincoln served, but never made it about themselves.

Usually the ones who crow the loudest about their greatness are not great at all…