Art Williams in his Just Do It speech said, the successful “do it and a little bit more.” I’d noticed that typically in the morning my energy remains up and my focus engaged. But in the afternoon, it dissipates. I figured there was something I was lacking to cause this deficiency. One afternoon I tried a second shot of espresso, in addition to the one I had that morning, and sure enough I perked up again.

Then I started to think, “What if I could equip myself with enough energy for the day by getting enough rest the night before and with my morning workout?” I decided to rest in the morning, just a little bit more. When I got up, I went cycling and rode just a little bit more than usual. I didn’t even need any espresso that afternoon to keep me focused. Your goals and those who can be blessed by your purpose require you to give, a little bit more.

What do have to give a little bit more of? It could be a little bit more grit, discipline, courage, passion, compassion, enthusiasm, rest, prayer, understanding? Maybe you need to give a little bit more of the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). If you don’t know you need to give a little bit more of, take a few minutes to quiet your mind and search within yourself. Ask yourself, “Why did God allow me to get up this morning”? or “What is my purpose?” Probably it may not as quick to find realize as meditating for just a few minutes one time. For you, it may be a journey to discover your Why.

Let me offer this thought as a precursor to discovering or refining Why you should give a little bit more. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Recently, I listened to Joel Osteen’s message entitled, You’re Not a Victim, on a YouTube recording of a previous message. He said that Joseph in the bible had multiple reason to act like a victim. Like, his brothers sold him into slavery, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him, and the butler forgot about him when he was reinstated as Pharaoh’s butler. Joel mentioned that you don’t have to allow the victim mentality that can be passed down for generations to be passed on to you. Let it end with you. At that point I felt something in my mentality breakaway.

Could it be that I had a victim mentality that was passed down? Or could it be that I just chose to be a victim? Wherever it came from, I decided I was going to slaughter any victim thoughts when they emerged, once and for all! I was already actively working on this, but I felt even more resolve to my effort and felt I had a breakthrough.

For years you have carried around a certain mentality that has you chained. You feel bound to your past struggles, setbacks, and transgressions. But decide today to break free! When you do, things and people will align to bless your path.

Now that you are free, you will also encounter opposition and headwinds trying to hinder your progress and blow you back to where you were. Resolve to win because you are now a victor!

Sometimes God will allow you to grow through the challenge by providing you strength when you feel weak.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Other times He will provide you a way out.

No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, [a]so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

The key to remember is there is no longer any reason to recoil in fear, guilt and shame. Boldly step forward toward your destiny. You are no longer bound to the perceived shackles in your mind. You are free!

So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
John 8:36