Maybe 
The thing you think you cannot do.
If I were to ask you what is the thing you think you cannot do, your “thing” might be summed up in the words, “I can’t get through the next hour.” Or maybe you’d say, “I can’t survive this job.” Or “I can’t deal with this person anymore.”
Maybe you’re tired of facing unending disappointment … or chronic pain.
Maybe you can’t forgive someone … and maybe that “someone” is yourself.
Or maybe the thing you cannot do is something entirely different.
Maybe you can’t open your heart to dream out loud because you’re afraid you’ll be silenced by naysayers and doubters.
Maybe you can’t risk loving again because love has hurt you before — and why give it another chance to invade your privacy … and then walk away.
How do we do the thing we think we cannot do? The hard things, that seem like insurmountable mountains. Or that seem like oceans we must dive into and swim across, no shoreline in sight.
Here are some things that help me do the things I think I cannot do:
- We don’t have to do every challenge out there … just the ones that are ours.
- We’re not called to take them on all at the same time.
- We can just get started … sometimes getting started is the hardest part.
- We don’t have to face challenges in our own strength. “God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)
- We can seek the encouragement and counsel of friends — going it alone can often leads to “I can’t” thoughts.
- We can always try again.
In Your Words: What helps you do the thing you think you cannot do?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”oPmcc” via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: Just Do It https://ctt.ec/oPmcc+ #InOthersWords #perseverance #facingchallenges @bethvogt[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”FR7uQ” via=”yes” ]”You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” #quote #EleanorRoosevelt #justdoit @bethvogt[/ctt]
Comments 8
I can beat any man in any land
at any game that he can name
for any amount that he can count.
Let the darkness come; let Death swing his fell hand against me.
I will break them and rise, singing.
Author
And good morning to you, Andrew.
Yes, you are a warrior. A fighter. One who does not quit. I know this. And I also know you fight for others, too. Not just yourself.
When I’m overwhelmed, I just do the next thing. Not the whole thing, just what comes next. Love this post.
Author
Good point, Pat.
My husband Rob often says,”Just do the next thing.”
Sometimes I back up and do the smaller thing. A blog post versus writing a chapter. Or I write someone a note versus writing a blog post. Or I go for a walk instead of tackling my normal exercise routine.
The important thing is to not retreat.
Depending on the circumstances, my answer varies. Sometimes I need to talk to someone to gain a different perspective. And this helps me do the thing I think I cannot do. Other times, I just have to make up my mind I’m going to do it. Period.I just need to take the next step forward. If I keep doing that long enough, I usually find I can do that which I thought impossible. And of course, this comes with a lot of prayer.
Author
Jeanne: I agree that talking with someone else often helps me do the thing I think I cannot do. And prayer. Definitely prayer!
So often, for me, it’s just trying. And pushing my stubborn self behind me. Because sometimes the thing you don’t think you can do isn’t quite as hard as it seemed.
Author
Yes, Shelli — using the stubbornness of “I can’t” and turning it into “Oh, yes I can!”