How do you turn the feeling of temptation into a success mindset? Temptation can come in many different forms. They often times come and go … or do they? Every now and then, we run into temptations that won’t seem to disappear. It is as though our emotions are deliberately strategizing against us – leaving us defeated.
What forms of temptations are you currently facing? Anxiety, fear, worry, procrastination, and overeating are just a few, the list, of course, depends entirely on the individual. Our level of emotional maturity (Emotional Intelligence) plays a critical role in our ability to continue living defeated or rise through current circumstances only to come out stronger than ever before.
I’d like to say that there is an easy path to overcoming the feeling of being emotionally hijacked. The path to any great achievement requires many levels of suffering. The good news is that we have the ability to take control and minimize our negative emotional reactions to temptation and maximize our potential for success.
Nelson’s Bible Dictionary defines temptation as “an enticement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good to be derived from following the way of disobedience.”
We often think of our temptations as outside forces, though there is some truth to that, in reality, all it would take to resolve our problems is a shift in our thinking. Once we understand what forms of temptation we are experiencing and where it comes from, we have the leverage to overcome them. When the temptations show up in your life, you’ll have the self-control to say NO MORE. As Christians, we like to blame Satan for our problems, but sometimes it’s a lack of discipline that derails our progress. If you’re not a Christian, you’re thinking might be, “Well I don’t know about this “Satan.” I just need to get my emotions together.” There is a lot of truth to both perspectives. Emotional intelligence plays a key role in our ability to process the situation and react with a mature level of character.
Here are three big ideas to get you moving in the right direction:
1 – Accountability
Find an accountability coach. Ask a trusted friend or family member. If you feel too defeated, a Think Intentional team member can certainly help empower you with powerful change work. Remember, defeat will come. When it does, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, ask yourself “What is this experience trying to teach me? What are the lessons?” Try to reframe what you see as a failure to “What is the lesson for me?” Remember to respect your accountability coach. They are there to serve you and to help you improve. If they tell you something that feels hurtful or makes you sad, angry, or ashamed, it’s probably a good idea to keep listening. Ask yourself where the emotion is coming from specifically? If your coach has your best interest and they should, shedding light on wounded emotions (if done right) is the path to recovery.
2 – Volunteer
You may not be in a good place in your life, but the fastest way out – the momentum that will edify your character, empower, and fulfill you is to step outside of yourself and help others in need. Serve at your local church or soup kitchen, mentor kids in distress, or teach new skills to the jobless. Pick an organization to volunteer with. More often than not, serving others in need gives us a wider perspective. In what capacity are you currently serving?
3 – Remove Obstacles
In the same way, diamonds are forged, humanity grows by the same measures. We need the right amount of heat and pressure to build an unshakable foundation within us. Have you ever succumbed to defeat by the pressures of life? Perhaps you are there now feeling wounded and alone.
All challenges are opportunities. How you respond to them makes all the difference. Do you see any specific behaviors that need to change? Make the necessary adjustments with the intention to constantly improve.
