Do you have a daily “mantra” or set of affirmations that orient you to your daily work?

There are things that I KNOW are true and important to me, important for me to keep near the front of mind. Some of these are about self-awareness, knowing my own strengths and weaknesses: “Know thyself.” Others help me see situations or other people through Jesus’ eyes.

Here are the truths I try to remind myself of every day.

1. Every person I encounter is an image-bearer, beloved by God, for whom J died.
2. Jesus has called me to embody his love and live in a way that makes his father’s Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
3. I am fallible & easily fooled, especially when I am stressed.
   • The formula HALT, from Alcoholics Anonymous, is a good caution: be especially on guard when you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
   • There is a similar formula that I have heard, referred to as a “Heart Check”: Hurting, Exhausted, Angry, Resentful, or Tense. Both are good formulas for checking yourself before you do something stupid.
4. I am melancholic by nature.  As such …
   • I tend to say “no” to things before I consider them.  I need to receive suggestions and new ideas with an initial “yes” so that I can truly evaluate them and make an informed decision, yes or no.
   • I must take special care not to be tricked by my own thoughts & fears. Fear, anxiety, & anger lead to the dark side. Fear is the mind-killer.
   • I need to think “OPPORTUNITY” before I think “PROBLEM”.
   • I need to intentionally assume the best of everyone I encounter, especially the people I am closest to (because of the tendency to take them for granted) until they prove otherwise.
5. It’s not my job to set people straight.
6. I don’t need to impress anyone. The one I serve is the impressive one.
7. When I do good, God doesn’t love me any better.  When I do wrong, God doesn’t love me any less.
8. In the Christian life, success = endurance and failure = giving up. As long as you stay in the race, you have not failed.