TURNING POINT TUESDAY: DO YOU HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT?

Time and time again, we hear the saying,"You need to get your priorities straight!"  Not only have I heard this saying, but I have said this to a few people in my lifetime.  In the short run it feels better to point the finger at others and tell them what they should and shouldn't be doing.  Today I challenge us all to point the finger at ourselves.  It is NOT good enough to get PRIORITIES STRAIGHT, without having a PLAN of ACTION and sticking to it to ACHIEVE RESULTS.  For example, how can I say I put God First in my life, yet I do not take time out each day to spend time with him.  You see, my priorities might be straight and in order (verbally), but if I am not putting action behind the priority it is nothing more than hot air.  My heart is being pulled to deal with this subject, because I believe so many people are living a depressed and stressful lives because they have not tapped into the power of Prioritizing their way into Purpose.  Developing Priorities allows us to focus our attention on interests and values according to their importance.  Let's say your number one priority is your family.  My question for you is, "What actions have you taken to show that family is your first priority?" I remember a time in my life when my family was high on my priority list, but you wouldn't have known it by the way I was acting.  I put my Career before the needs of my family.  For this reason, I was All Used Up when it was time to give my family the love and attention they needed.  What or Who is using up the energy you should be spending on the most important priorities in your life?  When your priorities are out of order, your Hopes and Dreams are prolonged: and even worse LOST.

Look at how many people are moving away from their priorities to "Keep up with the Joneses."  I think it is awesome when God blesses people with nice things, but at the end of the day you can't take those things with you, and they are God's things anyway.  The truth of the matter is too many folks are trying to
Copy the Priority List of those around them, instead of relying on God for the Priority List that is uniquely created for them.  Just because you have a friend that owns a 5,000 square foot house, that doesn't mean it should be your priority to do the same.  The friend with the large house might have the house because they had their Priorities straight and they worked hard to fulfill their Goals.  On the other hand, the friend might have acquired the home based on Irresponsible priorities, which is causing him to struggle each month to pay the mortgage.  The point here is get your eyes off of the Value System of others and work hard to Apply the Value System that works for you and your family. 

We must "Stick to and Activate Priorities" if we want to walk into our Dynamic Destiny. Do NOT make a Habit of detouring from your Priority List.  What about that budget you are trying to stick to?  You might have financial stability at the top of your Priority List, but your actions demonstrate constant splurging on things you do not need.  Before you purchase anything you should ask yourself  Do I need it, Do I want it, and Does it contribute to my God Given Destiny? I have been guilty of trying to stick to a budget, but failing because I saw something I wanted that did not contribute to my Purpose on Earth.  Not too mention the additional pressure you have when kids are in the picture.  Do not feel guilty about enjoying life and getting things that you like.  The problem develops when you are not disciplined enough in a particular area and you allow THINGS to distract you from sticking to your Priority List.  Make sure you Develop your Priorities according to God's plan for the current Season in your life and activate the plan in an Effort to reap Results!  Haggai 1:6-7 (Amplified) You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it.  Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) and how you have fared.

It is not just good enough to verbalize your priorities, write them down on paper and put it somewhere you will see it (Bathroom Mirror, Refrigerator, front of Planner, Dashboard of Car).  This list will serve as a constant reminder of What is important to you and the actions you are taking to show it.  Every time you look at your Priorities, ask yourself, "Am I living my life according to the priorities I have identified?"  If the answer is no, it is time to uncover and eliminate the obstacles that are preventing Growth in this area.  When we look at the Health of our Country, our Family, and our local Communities some of the problems can be linked to not having our Priorities in order and Working hard to ensure goals are manifested.  
Written Exercise: Take some time to rank these priorities in order of 1-10 with 1 representing the most important (Health, Finances, Family, Spirituality, Myself, Career, Personal Development, Friendships, Hobbies, Community)  You can formulate your own types of priorities, but my goal is to encourage you to think about your priorities and evaluate if you are putting your money where your mouth is.  After you rank the priorities write down what you are doing in those areas to bring about action.  What you might find is you need more action in order for the priorities to become reality in your life.  If you have only one thing you are doing beside your top five priorities, it is time to do some work.  Life is too precious and too short to avoid pouring your energy into the people and goals that are important to you.  If Personal Development is one of your top Priorities, do something this week to better yourself.  If Health is a top priority, challenge yourself this week to eat healthier and exercise.  Please take a stand with me to Revisit Your Priorities and if need be Change them to be in sync with your Purpose.  DO NOT allow anyone or anything to Steer you away from Achieving RESULTS.  I leave you with this quote: Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it.  Establish your priorities and go to work. H.L. Hunt

 D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. - Determined Events Sent To Ignite a New You!