I like to think of excuses when things don’t work out in life. Excuses help me process failure and other unsatisfactory life outcomes. Excuses shift the focus to things I believe, right or wrong, that I did not have control over. Emotions, the words and actions of others, cities, schools, upbringings–even genetics–are all common excuses people make to take the attention off what they failed to accomplish and the mistakes that they made.
A Story Is Just An Excuse
Human beings are master storytellers. Stories are entertaining and help us make sense of our lives chronologically and causally. I am a fan of stories, both as a story teller and as a story consumer. The problem is when our stories become a mask for an elaborate series of excuses, when we can think of every reason why things didn’t work out the way we hoped or planned.
I’m talking about failed relationships, failed diets, failed workout regimens, failed school and job performance, failed spiritual disciplines, failed attempts to break a bad habit or addiction, failed attempts to live pure and avoid evil.
Whether we tell these excuse-ridden stories to others, or only to ourselves, the effect is one of disempowerment. These stories paint us as passive players in life, if not victims outright, rather than powerful agents with the ability to shape outcomes.
A story why something didn’t work out is really just a series of excuses.
Walk In Integrity
I’m not a fool. I know that there are reasons why things happen the way they do. This is called understanding. There are people, situations, events, and traumas that are difficult to survive and overcome. Many of you have lived them. I know I have. However, I don’t want to be a victim in life, I want to be an overcomer. And if you’re reading this, that is true for you, as well.
Whenever we overcome an adverse situation or difficult life circumstance, we erase the need to make excuses. We make way for a story of a different kind, one of empowerment.
More overcoming today and less excuse making.
The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 321
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