Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

In this month's Leader Notes newsletter, Craig outlines three major reasons your bad habits are so hard to break, and three mindset shifts you can make to break them. Be sure to see the valuable resources at the end of the article that have helped Craig build better habits.

- A boss instills fear. A leader inspires confidence. - A boss assigns blame. A leader takes responsibility. - A boss demands loyalty. A leader extends trust. - A boss controls people. A leader empowers people. - A boss is often guarded. A leader is transparent.

You don't have to be in full-time ministry to be in full-time ministry. Although being in full-time ministry can look like being a youth pastor, worship leader, kids director, etc., it can also look like: - Being a light to those in your office. - Choosing to do the right thing, even when it's hard. - Getting lunch with a hurting co-worker. - Praying with a friend who needs the hope of Jesus. - Leading a Bible Study with your friends. Whether you're a doctor, a teacher, a student, a receptionist, a lawyer, a stay at home parent, working three jobs or working one job, you are called to ministry!

Stop trying. Start training. TRYING is often an attempt to change with minimal commitment. TRAINING is whole-hearted commitment to achieve a specific result. When it comes to attacking our goals, being disciplined, or breaking bad habits, let’s train our minds to stop trying and start training. “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

So often, it’s the emotional decisions we make that end up hurting us or hurting others the most. That’s why I tell my kids, “Whatever you do, don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.” Don’t make decisions that are going to impact you for years to come based on the emotion that you feel in the moment. Why do our decisions matter so much? Because the quality of our decisions determines the quality of our lives. We make our decisions, and our decisions make us. Today I’m praying that God gives you the wisdom to make the decisions that will honor him.

If you've ever questioned your faith, you're not alone. Doubt isn't a dead end—it's the beginning of a richer faith. ?? In The Benefit of Doubt, Pastor Craig shares how your questions can lead to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Order your copy: https://lnkd.in/gmuDh-8i

Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith. It’s often a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful faith. My prayer is that this book will encourage those wrestling with doubt to keep seeking, keep asking, and help you trust that God is still there, even in your doubt. Grab your copy wherever books are sold! #TheBenefitofDoubt

Why is it that so many of us are inconsistent with our goals? It’s because we often have an all-or-nothing mindset. If we fail one time, we think we blew it. We might even feel like we’re a failure. With that unhealthy mindset, we’re tempted to think, “I failed, so forget it.” And that’s why we have to remember that being consistent isn’t the same as being perfect. There’s such a big difference. When it comes to your goals, you’re wise to give yourself grace to fail occasionally, because being consistent is not the same as being perfect.

Decisions determine your direction, and your direction determines your destiny. Our unwise decisions tend to compound negatively. And our wise, God-honoring decisions tend to compound in a positive and God-honoring way. So as you look at what you value, ask yourself, are your decisions moving in that direction? If your life is moving in the direction of your decisions, do you like the direction your decisions are taking you? If you don’t, it’s time to take your life back. It’s time to pre-decide to do something different.

When communication fades, trust diminishes.