Six Steps To Bigger Possibilities In Life and Ministry

I’ve been in the same basic type of work/ministry since the summer after my senior year of High School. Sometimes I wonder why I ever went to college or seminary. A little sarcasm there, because I am grateful for the education and maturity during those formative years. But, I do know it’s difficult at times to keep a fresh outlook when you’ve been in a similar role for so long. During some seasons, I’m really thinking new and big and other seasons, I’m just hanging in there – not really in the flow.

However, there are big possibilities in anyone’s life, work or ministry! Too often, we just fail to think bigger. I know “possibility thinking” is looked down on sometimes, but it sure beats it-could-never-be-done thinking. I may be at a point where I need to begin opening the doors for more creative thinking in my work. The possibilities are endless for my life, my family, the church and Harvest Ministry. How can I think bigger?

I just finished reading a little John Maxwell book called How Successful People Think (available at Amazon for $6). It’s a powerful little book and one chapter gives these ways to grow in thinking about bigger possibilities! Hope they are helpful to you:

Stop Focusing On The Impossibilities

My natural tendency is to come up with reasons why it won’t work. This is easy for me to do. We must train ourselves to forget the word impossible and train ourselves to look for the possibilities.

“Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.” Lou Holtz

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Stay Away From “Experts”

Experts see things their way and they get into that groove. They don’t see what’s in your heart and what can be accomplished with the dream you have! Don’t listen to everything you hear – especially what is supposedly impossible.

Look For Possibilities In Every Situation

The toughest challenges allow us to think bigger. There are ways around most every situation and there are opportunities to grow, learn and be stretched. Listen to any interview of a “successful” person and they have been through a challenge that shaped where they are today. If the problem seems huge, look for the possibilities that can come from it.

Dream One Size Bigger

Where are you now – and what’s the next step? We can’t go from 0 to 100 overnight. You can’t be a rock star if you haven’t even started taking guitar lessons. So, dream about the next step – one size up. What’s around the corner, possible with a little bit of hard work. What step do you need to take today?

Question The Status Quo

Why do we get so comfortable where we are? We don’t want to upset the stability of our lives, so we just exist doing the same thing over and over – we believe it’s what we are supposed to do. Jesus spent much of his ministry challenging the thinking of people. It’s important to question where we are, why we are there and where else we might need to be – in life and in work.

Find Inspiration From Great Achievers

One great way to thinking bigger is to connect with others who think big! This can be through personal conversations. Ask questions when you are around people who are successful. Listen and learn from them. You can also find inspiration by reading books or watching documentaries. Find out all you can from those who are succeeding in life and work and grow!