How often we emotionally or physically back up when faced with impossible circumstances. We might seek something for immediate diversion, instead of drawing closer to the Lord. I love Paul’s example. Philippians 3:13 says, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

One fluid motion. As he is forgetting and letting the things behind go, he is at the same time reaching forward to what the Lord set before him. Verse 14 says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We press forward through intention. I’ve learned from David’s psalms to say, “I will…” when I need to do something unpleasant. Even though being pulled backwards emotionally, David pressed in through “I will praise the Lord.”

Every thought has a motive. We can course correct the second we have a thought that would cause us to draw back. The thought comes before the emotion. In fact our thoughts are responsible for our emotions.