What prevents you from achieving the success you want?

Step 1: Determine the Problem and Condition your response beyond what your already
conditioned to do.
Is it a lack of money, free time, or opportunities? Have you not achieved your goals because of the
economy, what your teammates ha ve done (or not done), or the lack of motivation among those
around you? Perhaps you place the blame on how you were raised or on your family for not giving
you the proper amount and type of support.
Did you respond to my question with a laundry list of reasons why you arent where you want to
be, youre not alone. Most people automatically find excuses and blame others when things dont
work out the way they want. Many people buy into the myth that we are entitled to success and
happiness, that someone should be giving us what we want.
However, if unlimited success is your goal, looking outside of yourself is a strategic error. The
most important lesson you must understand that you are 100 percent responsible for your life the
good and the bad. God gave you free will. He will create events (E) in your life in which you must
respond (R), and that is how you change the outcome (O) to something positive or negative. Every
event will ultimately work for the glory of God and will benefit those who have true faith in Him:
Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who
have been called according to his purpose. This includes death, failure, winning, and rewards.
The formula to this concept is: E + R = O (Events + Responses = Outcome)
The basic idea is that every outcome you experience in life (Either success or failure, wealth or
poverty, wellness or illness, intimacy or estrangement, joy or frustration) is the result of how you
have responded to an earlier event in your life. Likewise, if you want to change the results you get
in the future, you must change how you respond to events in your life starting today. Consider:
2Corinthians 4:18- So we dont look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on
things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot
see will last forever. Is your attitude fixed on the event you cannot change or are your considering
the bigger picture and how to build yourself or others up as a result of an unchangeable event?
Most People:
Choose to blame the event (E) for their lack of results (O)
Think limiting thoughts and engage in self-defeating behaviors. We defend our selfdestructive habits (such as drinking and smoking) with indefensible logic
Ignore useful feedback
Fail to continuously educate ourselves and learn new skills
Waste time on the trivial aspects of our lives
Engage in idle gossip and/or lie
Eat unhealthy food and fail to exercise
Spend more than we make
Don't ask for what we want and then wonder why our lives aren't working
Successful People:
Change their responses (R) to the events (E) until they get the outcomes they want
Gain control of their thoughts, images, dreams, daydreams, and behavior

Everything they think, say, and do become intentional and aligned with their purpose,
values, and goals
Step 2: Find or Determine who your Barnabas(es) is.
Every problem you face has been faced before. Every concern you have is also someone elses.
God did not just put you on this planet, but He created everyone for a reason with their own
strengths and weaknesses so through Him we can seek out the right people to complete our
weaknesses and become strong with a community of brothers and sisters under Christ.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other
succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in
real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can
one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand
back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
No one has ever accomplished anything without the help of someone else. God sets up divine
appointments between you and others so you can know and grow in Him. We often do not
recognize these divine appointments or we say it is just coincidence that we encounter people who
have similar interest or have experienced an exact situation we are currently struggling with.
Take a moment and reflect. Have you had a divine appointment; were you were suddenly
comforted by someone who shared your pain (loss of a loved one, failed goal, financial trouble,
relationship issue, or mental breakdown)?
These situations are not by chance. They are opportunities God has presented us with to grow and
refocus. Jesus Christ said, love your neighbor as yourself. A neighbor in Christ will always have
your best interest at heart. Take notice of those who encourage your faith and personal growth.
They are your Barnabas(es). Barnabas is also called the Son of Encouragement. He encouraged
Paul the writer of many of the books in the Bible throughout his ministry. Barnabas encouraged
Paul with support but also tough love and was willing to acknowledge Pauls mistakes. A true
Barnabas is not afraid to hurt your feelings so keep that in mind. Satan is always trying to attack us
and take us away from our path of righteousness. Keep in mind that Satan himself quoted scripture
to Jesus when he was in the desert to get Him to abandon God.
Consider:
Attempts from Satan to attack your spirit. Remember Proverbs: 3:20- Whoever walks with
the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 27:17- People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.
Step 3: Evaluate your purpose.
Are your goals for the right purpose? Who are you trying to impress? Who do you give credit to?
When you pray are you asking God to give your strength for His goals for you or strength for your
goals outside of His plan for you?
God has promised to never forsake you and He has guaranteed a purpose for you. Jeremiah 29:11
states, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope. Just as your purpose is unique so are your talents. Determine
your talents and master them. Read Romans 12:1-13. Then watch the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0