“I’m writing on the 5 D’s to workout motivation. Can you guess one of the “D” words?” So asked Melanie Dorsey on her facebook wall yesterday afternoon. My response to her was immediate . . .
“DON’T eat a piece of the chocolate cake I just posted a picture of on my wall . . . I mean really, just the word ‘Don’t’ speaks a message all its own. Just don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Apply it whenever necessary.”
Of course, I was making an attempt at humor, but as I stepped back from my statement, my “don’t” took root; so did my ruminations.
Don’t. Just don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. What if we could really do our don’ts—move past our declarations and start walking our determinations? This is what happens when we bravely and willingly do our don’ts. We move forward. We get unstuck.
The Bible is replete with “don’ts.” I spent two hours last evening combing through Biblegateway’s online concordance, taking note of each “do not” listed there. There are thousands of them; I scribbled down four pages’ worth. All of them, when applied to a heart, are motivators for getting a stuck faith moving again. Don’ts like . . .
Don’t worry;
Don’t be afraid;
Don’t lose heart;
Don’t doubt;
Don’t do what they do;
Don’t have in mind the things of men;
Don’t be alarmed;
Don’t put God to the test;
Don’t belong to the world;
Don’t be silent;
Don’t let sin reign;
Don’t give up;
Don’t give the devil a foothold;
Don’t handle, touch, or taste;
Don’t be carried away;
Don’t harden your hearts;
Don’t forget to do good;
Don’t merely listen to the Word, do it.
Don’t ________________.
You get the picture, and this is just a mere scratch at the surface of what seems to be the great many regulatory “don’ts” of Scripture. Now, before you shut down . . . before you see these as obligation rather than as a road map toward freedom, allow me to share with you the one “don’t” that struck me through to my soul’s marrow. The one “don’t” that I’m going to do this weekend.
Would you be willing to do that? Just work on one? Just do one don’t that most significantly strikes a chord with your faith? I’m convinced that just doing one of God’s don’ts is enough to propel our faith forward, even just a little bit.
Here’s is the one don’t I plan on doing:
“Don’t throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded” (Hebrews 10:35).
This “confidence” in the Greek context means “boldness, assurance, freedom in speaking, without concealment.” Boldness in speech, being sure of my words, freely speaking without a hidden agenda? Well, for this to happen and to happen rightly, my confidence must be rooted in truth—yet, another confidence.
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared (Proverbs 3:25).
God as my confidence. Contextually speaking, God as my “flank.”
So what does this mean for me going forward—as I do my “don’t”?
Don’t throw away your confidence, Elaine, because your Confidence has you covered. Don’t throw away your boldness, your freedom in putting forth the truth plainly, because God is your flank. God has situated himself around the most vulnerable, tender part of your faith, and he will not let you be destroyed. He has you covered from all angles. It’s safe to move forward, speak forward, live forward, because God’s got you covered every step of the way.
Don’t throw away your confidence. Don’t. Just don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Apply it whenever necessary. Just do this one don’t and see if God is not faithful to apply his movement, his strength, and his limitless confidence to your faith.
What if I could really live this one? What if I could really do God’s don’t? When a faith moves in that direction—when a heart really takes hold of that kind of understanding—the possibilities are endless. For what it’s worth, I’m going to give it a try.
What are you going to try? What’s the “don’t” that God is calling you to do? The one deliberate “do not” that you can apply to your heart that will get your faith unstuck and moving forward in a good direction?
Do your don’t, and then don’t be surprised by what God will do. Don’t and do’s. Do’s and don’ts. Sometimes it’s just as simple as it seems.
Now, get busy. And when you have a moment, check out Melanie’s 5 D’s to Workout Motivation. I’m sure her list has less to do with “don’ts” and much more to do with do’s. I’ll see you on the other side of Sunday. As always . . .
Peace for the journey,
Yay! This spoke right to my core. My biggest “don’t” is the same as yours. “Don’t throw away my confidence! Don’t do it. Don’t go there.
Thanks for linking up to my website/article.
Elaine, this message is such a great one! Spread it. Add your “click to tweet” too.
Thanks, Melanie. Still haven’t figured out the tweet thing; also I need to add some share buttons at the bottom of posts. Thanks, mostly, for your continuing encouragement and presence in my life. I feel so blessed.
Melanie I loved your post yesterday too! Thank you
[…] Want more inspiration? While my 5-D plan is full of things to “do,” my friend, Elaine Olsen, has an inspired plan full of “don’ts.” Trust me; You DO want to read this! […]
Elaine, what an inspiring post! I referred to it on my FB wall.
I love your call to “walk out our determinations.”
Glancing over your short list of “Don’ts” I realize that I have to be intentional in NOT hardening my heart. “Don’t harden your heart” is a clear command.
When family and friends throw “curve balls” into our relationships, I often want to protect myself by “pulling back” and shutting them out…but that amounts to hardening my heart.
With GOD’s help I won’t do that! Shalom.
There are so many to consider. If we could focus on just one for the next few days… really examine the commands of Christ and allow God to do some work in us. I call it “practicing our faith”–working deliberately with Truth on truth. Keep to it, sister.
I guess my biggest ”don’t” for a long time now has been ”Don’t Worry!”. I have been trying to do just that for the past couple of weeks and God has really blessed. I’m praying that this weekend especially through all the wedding preparations and festivities for our son’s wedding that I will actively strive to do my ”don’t”! 🙂
God bless you my faithful friend!
If I’m not mistaken, there are at least 1000 books written on this topic alone, Marilyn. Easy to speak; harder to live. I know this weekend is going to be great!
Well, as usual, you spoke right to my heart. I’m currently in a situation where I feel like a don’t have a voice. But God is gently encouraging me to be myself and speak up for truth, no matter the consequence. And quite honestly I’m petrified! It’s creating anxiety, anger and firing up my depression. It’s easier to “suck it up” and cower. But, that means that I take on the abuse, the shame, the grief. (I’m not in a life threatening situation) so, once again, thank you Elaine!
Courage, sweet one. This is the word that popped into my mind when reading your comment. God, give her courage! He is our confidence. Praying you know the strong and able courage of Christ this day.
Elaine, the way this post appeared on my screen with two columns, I began reading not realizing I had jumped in to the middle of your post…however…I do not (another don’t *smile*), think that was in error. I needed my attention drawn to the verse in Hebrews.
The Lord recently spoke to my heart in two specific areas and He knows where I’m wavering to remain faithful and obedient. Immediately I saw the words: “Don’t throw away your confidence…” I am not to discard the assurance and direction the Lord has already revealed. I am not to lightly consider the bold way He has spoken to my heart. I am not to treat with disregard all He has said, but heed His instruction. Do not throw away the confidence I had in what He has said. Do not doubt, Joy. Remain firm. Fight through. Hold on. Believe.
Great word of encouragement to my heart this moment. It’s reminding me of Romans 4:20, “Joy don’t waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but be strengthened in faith and give glory to God.” (personalized)
Love you my friend. Thanks for always pushing me to passionate, sold-out obedience. Hugs,
Joy
Figures you’d jump in mid-stream;)! God’s bravery flanks yours, sister. Go forth in the mighty name of Jesus and do your don’t!
I DON’T know which DON’T to begin with! There are several just in your incomplete list that demand some attention! I’m really glad you alerted me to these.
Just pick one for now, Rebecca. My problem is being overwhelmed by so many. If I could just take on this one today, and maybe another one next week. I should have added all the scripture references to these, but if you take a look at the biblegateway online site, you’ll be able to find them. Have a lovely weekend.
This is such a great post, Elaine! God has recently reminded me of the benefits of applying these don’ts to my life: DON’T give up, DON’T give in, DON’T stop praying…the best is yet to come.
He has moved in my life in a mighty way this week, taking care of circumstances I have been praying about for years. I had not realized how much those concerns had been suffocating me until He answered my prayers. Honestly, I feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders and I can breathe once again. He is so faithful!
Miss you lots…love to you and your precious family!
There are two tied pretty closely together for me right now — Don’t be afraid and Don’t doubt. Fear niggles at me as I’m concerned that Kristin and Shawn might face some heartache on the road to adoption. They’ve already had more than their share of heartache getting to this point, and I don’t want to see them go through more. I know that God will be with them (and me) come what may so I need to Don’t be afraid. Just don’t. Don’t, don’t don’t!
On this same topic, I also need to Don’ t doubt — doubt God’s goodness and his faithfulness to bring about his best plan. Don’t doubt his ability to strengthen and comfort come what may.
Great post, Elaine. Have a great weekend!
Your words always amaze me, love you my friend.
Beautiful. Yes. I am focusing on a don’t. Mine is don’t worry, as its truth saturates many areas of my life. I hear the Father saying…
“Don’t worry about your future, Andrea, it belongs to me.”
“Don’t worry what others think of you; your goal is simply to please me.”
“Don’t worry about the physical and material matters of your life. I am Jehovah Jirah. My care for you is very personal, and I will meet your needs.”
Now, to flesh out God’s realities in my weakness. What a patient, caring, loving Father we have!
Thank you for a thought-provoking, spiritually motivating post. Your words are a fragrance that lifts us up and pleases the Father.
Much love to you. May this Sunday be amazingly blessed for you and your family.
Andrea
Amen! My “don’t” for this weekend is don’t lean on your own understanding but trust in Me”…
After trying to figure out everything in my current situation, and failing miserably, I am ready to “do the don’t”….yes, Lord!
Don’t get discouraged! That’s my takeaway this week, and I’ve written on a Post it and put it on my phone. I will continue to “dial for dollars,” until there’s no one left to call.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Every time I hear or read a list of don’ts, I get turned off. I’m always thinking that I want to focus on the things I get to do, not the don’ts. But in this case, it was good.
I don’t want to get distracted. That is all too easy for my popular sanguine personality. I get started working on something and find myself off in another direction. I had three goals for my summer off from work. I still haven’t completed any of them. Have I been working on them? Yes but still not completed. But there’s hope for me as I have five more weeks. I think I needed to read your don’t post to get me motivated to do …
Thank you for making me think Elaine. I needed this one.
Blessings and love,
Debbie