There are 2½ weeks left in 2022 and I have a message for you: stop and about-turn. When you read those words, they probably caught in your throat and you instantly thought of something. We all need to stop and turn around in some area. So let’s look at twenty things we can stop doing and how we can turn them around with truth from scripture.
STOP: taking control
ABOUT-TURN: remember God is in control
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” – Romans 8:28 [NLT]
STOP: worrying
ABOUT-TURN: pray
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT]
STOP: saying “I can’t”
ABOUT-TURN: say “I can”
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13 [NLT]
STOP: giving into temptation
ABOUT-TURN: escape temptation
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 [NLT]
STOP: giving up
ABOUT-TURN: persevere
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9 [NLT]
STOP: letting anger control you
ABOUT-TURN: forgive
“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” – Proverbs 19:11 [NLT]
STOP: letting your mind wander
ABOUT-TURN: control your thought life
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5 [NLT]
STOP: filling your mind with garbage
ABOUT-TURN: fill your mind with virtuous things
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. 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]
STOP: hanging out with people that lead you to sin
ABOUT-TURN: find friends that help you grow
“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 [NLT]
STOP: feeling guilty
ABOUT-TURN: confess and be forgiven
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – 1 John 1:9 [NLT]
STOP: sinning over an over
ABOUT-TURN: confess your sin and stop
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13 [NLT]
STOP: doubting
ABOUT-TURN: trust
“But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.” – Romans 14:23 [NLT]
STOP: looking everywhere for truth
ABOUT-TURN: look to God’s word
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT]
STOP: asking everyone around you what to do
ABOUT-TURN: ask God
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:16 [NLT]
STOP: blaming other for our wrongdoing
ABOUT-TURN: take responsibility
“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10 [NLT]
STOP: getting drunk
ABOUT-TURN: take your problems to God
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,” – Ephesians 5:18 [NLT]
STOP: speaking harshly
ABOUT-TURN: be gentle with your words
“Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.” – Proverbs 25:15 [NLT]
STOP: holding people responsible for their wrong doing
ABOUT-TURN: love each other
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 [NLT]
STOP: holding grudges
ABOUT-TURN: forgive
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”” – Mark 11:25 [NLT]
STOP: following whatever ideas you want
ABOUT-TURN: discipline yourself by scripture
“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.” – 1 Timothy 4:7 [NLT]
Now for the challenge:
- Pick one thing to STOP from the list above.
- Write down what you need to do to ABOUT-TURN.
- Memorize the related scripture verse (or carry it around with you) this week.
Grow Anyway 