BREAKING EXCUSE MAKING HABIT

BREAKING EXCUSE MAKING HABIT

Text: John 5:1-10
Memory verse:
“God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭5‬
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When someone makes excuses repeatedly and over a long period of time, it eventually becomes a habit. At this point, making excuses become so spontaneous, considering no other alternative. When you repeat excuses enough, they become life-fulfilling prophecy.
This was the case of the paralytic man by the pool of Bethesda, according to our text for today. “… “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (John‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬). The question, “Do you want to be made whole?” should have received a spontaneous answer as “yes, I want”. Rather, this paralytic opened his can of complaints and excuses. He had obviously repeated, “no man to put me into the pool” for about his 38 years of being sick. Not even his colleagues who had been healed, the regular tourists to the pool or his family members could help him for these years. He had simply shut himself out of help with his excuses. Excuse makers see problems instead of possibilities; obstacles and not opportunities. They are like the ten spies who saw giants instead of God; defeat instead of victory. Excuse makers always see themselves as victims instead of victors! (Num 13:29, 33)
To overcome the excuse making habit, start building up your faith to believe God. Rather than complaining, believe that God will help you and make a way, even when you can’t understand. Always remember that God’s help doesn’t depend on numbers or might (1 Sam 14:6; 2 Chro 14:11). As you overcome the challenges, you will develop confidence in God and His ability in you.

Prayer points
1. I end the long standing habit of excuse making in my life and I free myself from it’s grip in Jesus name.
2. Father, like You showed up for the paralytic man, let Your mercy prevail and reverse all negative consequences of my excuse making habit in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1.Growing my faith in God is my first step to breaking my excuse making habit.
2. Excuses repeated enough become a life-fulfilling prophecy.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng