The Power of an Excuse is Deadening

 John 8:31-32 (KJV)
³¹  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
³²  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

An excuse is an attempt to justify one's actions or lack of when responsibility called for a different response. It's the verbal re-engineering in redefining the moral expectations on one's life. We may know the standard expected of us but we make the exception for ourselves, due to a lack of resolve to correct the issues that are keeping us from fulfilling them.

Be careful of excuses. They turn off the faucet for future growth. Why? Because excuses cause inward atrophy. Look at the following found in the US National Library of Medicine

Disuse atrophy occurs from a lack of physical activity. In most people, muscle atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough. People with seated jobs, medical conditions that limit their movement, or decreased activity levels can lose muscle tone and develop atrophy. This type of atrophy can be reversed with exercise and better nutrition. Bedridden people can have significant muscle wasting. Astronauts who are away from the Earth's gravity can develop decreased muscle tone after just a few days of weightlessness.

Excuses are verbal shields that protect areas of unwanted change. After awhile of practicing a lifestyle of excuses we actually lose the ability to change due to the atrophy of inward fortitude to make a move to change. The pain incurred in trying to go back to the gym of truth and begin the reconstruction of a healthy spiritual life is too much of a price to pay for most unfortunately. However the temporal pain required for the lasting change is worth it. We all know the famous adage "No pain No gain!"

Excuses temporarily numb the senses to the impending problem my deficiency is creating or causing. Confronting the problem head-on shortens the journey time to success.Simply be honest with yourself. If we were as finicky about our own lives as we are of others... we would be further ahead.

James 1:22 (KJV)
²²  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Pray today that God will open our eyes and give us the courage to face our insecurities and turn us into people of great integrity letting the Word set us free in every area. God bless you!!!!