Transition to Your MissionSample

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

It was the fourth quarter of my son Roscoe’s football game, and I was helping out the team as a water boy. I wanted to help more but as an emotionally charged football fan and dad, I didn’t want to get too close to the action and embarrass my son.

I was on water duty and now dad duty as Michael (one of our running backs) came running to the sideline. Michael was hurt and sat down on the bench. He was crying. He looked devastated and dejected.

I asked Michael what was going on. He replied with anger and tears running down his face, “I got smashed. I suck so bad. I’m terrible. I never get it right.” I was surprised because Michael was one of the better kids on the team. I knew he was good, he was just having an off-game. Unfortunately, Michael’s inner dialogue was destroying him.

What Michael was thinking about (negative outcomes) was expanding. Michael continued to talk more about how bad he was playing, how bad he sucked, and how he should just give up.

I hurt for him at that moment, but I also felt a deep love for him.

The scriptures give us an incredible road map of love in 1 Corinthians 13.

I always read 1 Corinthians 13 and think about how I could love my friends, spouse, relatives, and kids I meet better.

I read it and think, “Ok, this is what and how I need to love everyone better.”

I want to suggest a different view of this passage.

I want you to read 1 Corinthians 13 as if you were loving yourself. Read it as a command of how you should treat yourself.

Are you patient with yourself?

Are you kind to yourself?

Are you rude to yourself?

Are you believing the best about yourself?

Are you keeping no record of wrongs with yourself?

Are you rejoicing with the truth about yourself?

Are you bearing all things for yourself?

One of the many misfires people make while they are in a transition process is not giving love to themselves. They treat and talk to themselves with words of poison and toxicity.

Like Michael in the story above, they berate themselves and fill their mind with guilt and shame.

What about you? Do you have low energy, lack confidence, or get angry with yourself?

If you do, think about how you are applying 1 Corinthians 13 to your own life. What if you began to give love to yourself?

What would that feel like for you?

What would that look like for you?

What would you be saying to yourself?

When I was in college I swore a ton. I swore so much people would say, “you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

And this statement is where I want to bring added awareness. Think about the words you say and use against yourself.

Think about what you are trying to build and if your words are aligned with love toward yourself.

Are you giving yourself the best love you can give?

In the midst of transition, are you bringing words of life and hope, or are you inserting words of death and darkness?

As we close the day I’m reminded of the close of 1 Corinthians 13 which says, “Love never fails.” God is love, and you have God within you. You have everything you need.

I repeat… you have everything you need.

Here are a few takeaways from today:

• 1 Corinthians 13 is not just for others, but for you.
• Take action and add love to your own life.
• Eliminate all negative self-talk and limiting beliefs.
• Speak out 1 Corinthians 13 over your life and others.
• Spend time with God (love) and He will show you even more.

Let me know what resonates with you the most. How do you feel after reading 1 Corinthians 13 with a new perspective?

Rooting for you.

Anthony Thompson