Perfecting the pivot is crucial for progression and longevity. Life doesn’t always go as planned. Unexpected circumstances can arise with no warning. In some situations, to go forward, we have to change course even though we don’t want to or understand. Sometimes familiarity keeps us from switching gears. Some of us have a 5 or 10-year plan that we adhere to. What if that plan gets completely turned upside down. What are you going to do? Being able to accept new instructions and implement them can help us avoid spiritual and emotional setbacks. If you are stuck, check your willingness to accept and change directions.
Attitude
Our attitude is a determining factor if we can pivot quickly and do it well. The wrong demeanor can have us rooted in the wrong source and cause us to stay on the wrong path. When operating out of our emotions and feelings, we miss the voice of the Holy Spirit telling us to change directions. We create unnecessary delays because we choose to listen to ourselves or outside sources instead of listening to the one that can comfort us as we pivot.
Pride
Pride can cause us not to pivot. If we think more highly of ourselves than we should, again we miss the voice of the Lord because we think we have the answers. Life has a way of throwing us a curveball, and we can quickly get off track. Choosing not to consult the Lord and lean on our ability opens us up to needless challenges. Being more concerned about how we appear to others, can land us in the poor house. For example, if your finances have decreased, you may have to adjust your spending. You may like certain brands or have a lifestyle you want to maintain, but your budget is telling you something different. Refusing to pivot and make changes can cause serious family and debt issues. You have allowed your ego to become bigger than your bank account and more important than the voice of the Lord.
Humility
Submitting our entire being under the authority of Jesus is where the rubber meets the road. Bowing the knee in complete surrender, knowing that His word will not return unto Him void because He is the great I AM. Having this mindset and always striving for it will enable us to pivot when He tells us to. Humility is necessary to hear and implement without hesitation what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do. Removing ourselves and letting God have complete control of our circumstances and life is what it means to trust God.
In your heart, you say it’s scary to give up control, ask yourself by keeping control how is your life going? It’s interesting to me when I am in control and then lose control, guess who I call on? Jesus. He’s not good enough for me to call on in the beginning, but when I make a mess of things then I am team, Jesus! God has proved Himself over and over and many of you can attest to that. Focus on those instances instead of how scared or unsure you are and let God add another victory to your life. To advance against the devil we must humble ourselves before the Lord who has the final say of the devil’s end.
He must increase, but I must decrease, John 3:30 KJV
In conclusion
I have created gratuitous hard aches for myself because I was hard-headed when it came to changing directions. Disregarding the Holy Spirit when He said pivot five miles back. Praise God He’s not limited by my disobedience, but the consequences of going five miles further than I needed is another blog. We don’t have or know the answers outside of the Holy Spirit. We must stop living our life as if we do. When we get the prompting to pivot, it’s in our best interest to do so with urgency.
ACTION ITEM(S)
- What holds you back from pivoting when the Holy Spirit prompts you?
- Has there been an incident when you went five miles further than you were supposed to?
- How’s your humility level?
This is great teaching! Living in this ever changing world pivoting is inevitable! Having our goals mapped it is a wonderful thing but God knows the future and knows the necessary steps we must take. That’s why it’s important to LISTEN to the Holy Spirit’s instructions.
If I had my way, I wouldn’t have a cell phone, I’d still have dial up internet service, I’d still be running Windows 2000 on my computer, I’d still be driving my car that could only hold a half tank of gas (otherwise it would leak). I gave those simple examples because I DON’T LIKE CHANGE! However, those examples show how STUCK I would be if I didn’t pivot!
To this day I’m still not a fan of change, especially just because everyone else is doing it. If I don’t know God is telling me to make a particular change, I happily stay put!! But when I believe I know God is instructing me, I sometimes cautiously move forward.
This is a reminder to me that with God’s direction, I don’t have to move cautiously! All it takes is a little more surrender on my part to pivot quickly with confidence, knowing He won’t lead me down a wrong path. ❤️❤️
Lisa, thank you for those examples, although I am happy you now have a car that can hold more than a half of tank of gas without leaking 😊. I’m in total agreement with you that more surrendering to the Lord allows us to pivot quickly and confidently. I appreciate you very much!!!