Our heart is our biggest hinderance to success.

Last week I posted about having a roadmap to success. Well this week it’s probably important to follow up with various roadblocks that can keep us from success. I may have missed doing this last week but we should probably define success. Not a dictionary definition but something I’ve gathered over the years… this is just my humble opinion and it may change as I grow. I define success as doing better than I was before; in my heart, my mind, and my world around me. Notice I didn’t say if I was richer, more famous, or any of the exterior trappings of success. I am coming through one of the worst seasons of my life but I am doing it successfully because my heart is healthier than ever (mind, will, and emotions) and I am doing better internally than I have in years. The interesting thing is that when our hearts are doing well everything else on our outside will eventually begin doing well too. It’s a matter of perspective. Keeping our joy level high. Keeping our words positive. Keeping our motives pure. These are what help you stay on the roadmap for success and helps us get through your roadblocks to success.

I’ve listed a few roadblocks that I’ve found to success and a few explanations of each. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means but one that will have major impact if we take heed. If you can learn from my experience and I can learn from yours then we won’t have the same bad experience!

1. Naivety – Being naive isn’t all bad. It is a very good characteristic to have actually because it has a foundational trust built in with it. I’m actually a very naive person but I’ve been very betrayed and taken of advantage of because of my trusting nature.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. -Matthew 5:8 NKJV

Being naturally naive is ok, there’s a purity in heart that comes with it. Being wise is a choice. If you are naive like me, then it’s imperative to use wisdom and surround yourself with people who have your best interest at heart. You know they have your best interest at heart by what they do not what they say.

2. Selfishness – Being selfish is something we are all born with. You don’t have to teach a baby how to say, “Mine!” It just does. If we want to stay babies then we stay in a world that revolves around us. I’ve been around way too many church leaders who were building their world around themselves. If you truly love people then you will build your world to serve them. When people are selfish it sabotages their future. Selfishness is something we must take responsibility for because it starts in our own hearts.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. -James 1:14 NKJV

3. Pride – The original sin. This is where every sin is birthed from. When we make ourselves god we replace the God who made us. Pride has been the downfall of many leaders throughout the years and has brought much pain to so many people. When we humble ourselves and accept that the world doesn’t revolve around us, God shows up with his grace and favor on our lives. Sometimes we just have to let go of the fight and let God take control.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” -James 4:6 NKJV

4. Greed – This is selfishness’ slimy cousin. I’ve found that greedy people are highly insecure people. Not insecure about their looks or what not but truly insecure. Meaning NOT secure in the fact that God will meet their needs. Greed has a way of blinding people to the truth where they just can’t accept the truth, even if it’s right in front of their face, but want more anyway. I’ve not had the unfortunate experience of being a greedy person but I have had the experience of watching what happens to someone when they rely on people to meet their needs instead of God. It becomes a sad shallow show indeed. The antidote is faith. Having faith in God will clear the roadblock of greed out of your life.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19 NKJV

Hopefully this list has helped you. I know from experience that these things will hinder our success. True success is when God elevates you. When our hearts are right then God will do the elevating because when our time comes, He knows we will be ready.

[divider style=”1″ align=”center” size=”normal” variant=”normal” dimension=”1px” color=”” scrolltext=””][/divider]

Please leave your thoughts if you feel led and let’s continue the conversation! May God bless you!