These 5 Things Can Actually Prevent A Personal Meltdown

It seems that almost daily we are hearing of another personal crash:  moral, financial, marital, or physical.

Is personal failure preventable?  What are the areas to constantly watch if you want to be a strong influence for a lifetime?

A few months ago I was on vacation.  We were riding our electric scooters at about 18 mph.  I’ll admit, I was going pretty fast on a winding concrete trail.  Suddenly, without warning, I crashed.

I know my problem:  “overconfidence.”  I learned a painful lesson!

How can we prevent a personal crash?

1. Watch your eyes.

   David looked across the rooftops of Jerusalem and spotted a woman bathing without enough shower curtain.  What he did in response was a personal crash.

   The “eye gate” is dangerous.  We are surrounded by sexual images too powerful to deal with.

   Block any source of pornography on any and every device.  Avoid private contact with anyone of the opposite sex if you are married.  Don’t get overconfident with your eyes.

2. Watch your family.

   Overconfidence in your marriage or with your kids can have disastrous consequences.

   If I neglect either one, I may be in for a big surprise.  Without intentional love, forgiveness, companionship, adventure, protection, and creativity my family may be dying on the vine.

   Keep the home fires burning.

3. Watch your appetites.

   Without getting into a big theological argument about alcohol let me just say it this way:  “Alcohol can creep up on you.”  Don’t get overconfident.

   It can blur your judgment.  You can do things and say things “under the influence” that can cause you great personal embarrassment for years.

   Calories can creep up on you also.  Watch your weight and keep it in the healthy range for your height.  Diet, rest, and exercise equal one huge thing:  “energy.”

4. Watch your speed.

   We all have a tendency to see how far over the speed limit we can go without getting caught.  We “push the envelope,” texting, playing with the radio, and even READING while driving.  That’s overconfidence.

   Slow down.  Leave earlier.  Don’t weave back and forth on the interstate trying to “break out.”  Take some deep breaths and refuse to be distracted.  As we see when we pass a bad accident, it can happen fast.

5. Watch your spending.

   I know they say “money cometh” but money also “goeth.”  People turn around and in one unforeseen shift their finances crash.  Always keep at least three months of savings in the bank to cover it.

   In this paperless age, check your bank balances, withdrawals, and deposits frequently.  People make mistakes.  Crooks steal identities.  Overconfidence can be disastrous.

   Keep track of your spending to see where your money “goeth.”  It’s amazing how subscriptions, monthly payments, gourmet food, wardrobe, and housing expenses add up. 

   The Bible is filled with kings, prophets, and apostles who got overconfident (like Peter) and paid a dear price.  

If you listen, you will be fine.

“Just be watchful.”