Ch 11 The Habit Of Being Responsible Recap

The Habit of Being Responsible

OK, how many of you are ready to yell"Stop Stepping On My Toes!'? Thought you were reasonably responsible until you read this chapter?  Now realize you still have work to do?  Are excuses holding you back?  Keeping you from being the person God intended you to be?  Me too!

Responsibility is a habit we need to take seriously.  It shows what kind of person we are.  What we do with our time is our choice.  We do what we really want to do.  It is time to deal with our excuses and form a habit of being responsible.

Integrity

Integrity can be defined as "doing the same as what you say".That is what God expects us to do, to keep our word.  Integrity is vitally important.  We cannot be an excellent person without integrity.  People with integrity take responsibility for their actions.  They do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Traits of a Responsible Person

A responsible person

...can be counted on

...is dependable

...thinks ahead & prepares for the future

...works hard

...is a good steward

...spends time with God

If we make God our #1 priority everything else will fall into place.  Be a "Can Do"kid of the one true King.  It doesn't matter how many opportunities God gives us if we aren't responsible enough to do what need to be done to take advantage of them.  We must stop seeing responsibilities as options.  Responsibility is not optional to God.

5 Steps to Stop Making Excuses

1. Face the truth - State it out loud

2. No unrealistic expectations - Can you follow through?

3. Stop complaining - It keeps you from making progress

4. Be aggressive - Don't procrastinate!

5. Find a solution to obstacles - Be creative

Which one gives you the most problems?  Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize and conquer whatever it is that keeps you from be responsible.

No Excuses, Just Results

Excuses are not acceptable to God and they shouldn't be to us either.  When we make excuses, we give up the power to change.  Being truthful requires commitment and practice.  But, truth is a very powerful weapon.  Squarely facing the truth helps us become the responsible person we desire to be.

thoughts:

For we are responsible for our own conduct - Galatians 6:5

Have you ever thought about that?  God says we are responsible for our own conduct.  No one can do our work for us, no one can make our decisions for us.  We cannot shirk our responsibilities by making excuses.  That just won't cut it.  One day we will have to give an account to God.  We need to carefully and soberly consider our actions or lack there of.  Are we honoring our commitments?  Are we keeping our word?  Are we acting in a responsible manner?  Be responsible means being intentional.  It takes courage to face the truth,  be responsible, to operate with integrity.  It requires commitment.  Are we committed to be responsible?

Heavenly Father,

It is our desire to be responsible, to be the person you intended us to be.  When we stand before You on the day of judgment, we want to be able to answer that yes, we have been responsible.  Help us recognize the areas in which we struggle and strengthen us as we practice being responsible so that we may bring You honor and Glory.  In Jesus name we ask this, Amen