By the title you may think this is going to be a super deep post . . . it’s not. Just some perspective; some insight that I would like to share with you. So over the past week, in conversation with some friends, I’ve heard them say, “I’m trying,” or “I’ll try.” And I’m tired of it. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve used this phrase too many times in my life too. However, this year I set out to take try out of my vocabulary. I’ve shared this notion with others, again just casually in conversation whenever I here it, and I politely respond, “don’t try, just do.” So if you’ve ever heard that from me, this is my permission to you if you ever hear me say ‘I’ll try,” correct me.

In my book, there is no trying, trying is the gray area; we don’t have time for that. Either you are or you’re not. You do or you don’t. You will or you won’t. 9 times out of 10, when you say ‘try,’ you already know you’re not going to do it. When you say, ‘I’ma try to make it,” we all know that means you’re not coming. Don’t be afraid—just say yes or no. Try leaves others wondering. There’s no definiteness. There’s lose strings. Just be honest not just with others but with yourself. ‘Try’ is an escape from making an actual commitment. Try is our excuse to not do; it gives us lee-way. It’s our reason as to why things aren’t working . . “I tried.” Lazy faith, like Mike Todd says, believes an attempt is enough. No! You either do or you don’t! You either believe 100% or you don’t at all. The Lord says I rather you be hot or cold, but when you’re lukewarm, He spits you out! Don’t be lukewarm.

I’m learning too to quit lying to myself. If I know I’m not going to do something, or that I’m likely not to do it, or if I straight up don’t feel like it or want to, I rather say no first than to say yes and go back on my word. Having to do so kills your confidence. Your devotion. Your strength, your power; let your yes be yes and your no be no. It sounds so simple and easy but can be hard to do. I’ve started to catch myself whenever I say or even think of saying it. It’s like a little voice whispers in my hear (the Holy Spirit likely) that says, ‘you know whether you will or you won’t.’ So that then forces me to actually think before I speak. Sometimes the idea of things sound good in the moment and we want to believe that we can or that we will. Or rather we want other people to be satisfied or enticed by our efforts, now that’s a blog for another day too. Nonetheless, there’s always a nudging that happens in our minds that causes us to check our heart and we have to learn to be more sensitive to it. To be more honest about it. In the end, there are no results in trying. There is no cause and effect. There is no trust. People will hold you more accountable to your actions than they will your word. There’s a great saying that says, '“actions speak louder than words—’ a cliche of course, yet it will always hold true.

So my encouragement for this week is for you to check your heart. What have you tried or made an attempt to do, but have yet to fully commit to getting it done? Have you started that blog or podcast? Have you signed up for that gym membership? Have you applied for that job? Have you started saving for that car? Aren’t you tired of waiting? Once you figure out what it is, I challenge you to make a public commitment to doing it. Whether on social media, in your close friend group, to your pastor or to your mother, whichever way you choose—trust yourself enough to do it. Again, there are no results in trying. You will only accomplish as much as you DO.

Until next time . .

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT)

“Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” - Matthew 5:37 (NLT)

“If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” - Numbers 30:2 (KJV)

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heave, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” - James 5:12 (KJV)