“Our ability to plan for the future must constantly run ahead of reality.”

A thought by Dallas Willard (2014-02-01) from his book, Renovation of the Heart: PuttingOn the Character of Christ (p. 96). NavPress. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

I had put down on my Facebook this morning this thought, “Here it is, another new day, new week, new adventure with new challenges and new posts to write. I've never lived this week but I face it with confidence and enthusiasm. I can face it because God is out ahead preparing the way.” But there are so many realists out there who face their week with fear and discouragement instead of confidence and excitement. And both of those ideas start as thoughts within our mind.

Dallas says, “A will that runs ahead depends, of course, upon our abilities to think; and what we think, imagine, believe, or guess sets boundaries to what we can will or choose, and therefore to what we can create.”

Now what boundaries have you set for your week? So many negative thinkers will set major boundaries with the excuse that they are realists. But what is real to them is set about by what they put into their minds and what they see.

What about what Paul said in his thoughts to his friends from Philippi, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT) He was not talking about being a realist there. You see he was in prison. And then he said, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Please break out of the boundaries that you have set by running ahead of reality.

So what can you do through Christ who will give you strength?

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