It’s All About The Long Term

Did you ever consider the power of thinking in the long term? We live in a world that so often prioritizes short term gratification. Focusing on the here and the now has become the norm of society today.

Most of the time, people do not think about how their one simple decision today could affect their lives tomorrow or forever. Even though it may seem very dramatic, almost every area in life has consequences that affect us down the road.

I do realize there are some things that do not matter in life. But most of what we do builds a foundation, and that foundation needs to be firm for the long term.

Here is a list of things that come to mind when considering the long term. Embracing the long term as we go through life can change our perspective and the way we do things from day to day. As you read the following lists consider your decisions in these areas and there long term affects. You may also be able to come up with so much more. I just wanted to mention a few for you to consider.

Personal Health:

1. What we eat or consume on a day to day basis adds up to a healthy or not so healthy future.
2. The way we exercise daily or the lack thereof, builds a foundation for life good or bad.
3. If you have movement every day or just sit, it either helps your body or hinders it.
4. The use of alcohol, drugs, or any substances out there, think of the lasting affects.
5. The way we take care of our skin and the long term affects sun damage can have.

The way we take care of our bodies inside and out will affect us in the long term. Take care of your body now, so it will continue to take care of you down the road.

Interactions With Others:

1. First impressions are lasting, they sure can affect the long term, from jobs to friendships, to a relationship with another individual.
2. The way you present yourself to others once again can lead to getting jobs or friendships or losing them etc.
3. Your reputation in certain areas may last a lifetime good or bad.
4. The way you treat others or talk to them matters.
5. The way you help others and are quick to be there for them.
6. Burning bridges with others can matter in the future good or bad.
7. The way you listen to others and respond.
8. The example you set before the world around you can have lasting affects on others.
9. The example you set before you children on a day to day basis can help them or hinder them.
10. The way you raise your children and what you educate them on from an early age.
11. The way you react to your children in tough situations and how you handle disciplining them.
12. Your character you build and the character you try to instill in your children.

Your character matters. There is so much depth to our interactions with others. The way we treat family, friends, and even pure strangers, will build a foundation for years down the road. These things do matter!

Finances:

1. The way you spend your money.
2. The way you save your money.
3. Every financial decision you make is all about the long term.
4. Working hard at the job and not giving up.
5. Not spending money when you don’t have it.
6. Taking overtime if it’s offered.
7. Praying over your financial decisions.

You will be so thankful if you start early on and handle your money with the upmost care. Making smart financial decisions early on, and not spending frivolously will set you up for a good future. Praying about financial decisions and making sure you’re making the right move in big purchases helps as well. When you look back in 10-20 years you will be thankful you thought about the long term.

Spiritual Life: Truly all about the long term

1. The decision to make Jesus your savior as soon as you can is all about the long term.
2. Listening and learning what you can about biblical things.
3. Devotional life and the quality time spent with Jesus worshiping Him.
4. Following the path God has mapped out for you.
5. Listening to His Holy spirit when he speaks and obeying His voice.
6. How you raise your children to love God and follow after Him for sure has long term affects.

When we stand before God, all of these decision that we make are for this one moment. What we do, or don’t do, in this life can add up to where we spend eternity and that is long term.

Conclusion

Having the long term in view in life can help us make smarter choices and have better resilience when it comes to our human desires and short term gratification. Thinking about our health, relationships, finances, and our spiritual life in the long term, will ultimately change the course of our life.

Ten to Twenty years from now will you be happy with your choices you are making today? Will you be thankful you thought about the long term? I believe you will be very thankful if you put your best foot forward now, and always keep the long term in mind.

All of these thoughts that I have thrown out there are just a few things in life that truly have long term affects. You could probably add your own thoughts on this matter.

The most important to think about is where we will spend eternity. I believe if we strive to have our spiritual life where it needs to be, God helps us in the other areas I mentioned. If we let Him, He comes along side us to give us wisdom and guidance in all the other areas.

Yes, we are all human and sometimes we make mistakes and have to back up. But, in the long run if we are diligent, and keep in mind almost everything we do in life is about the long term, we will see good results 20 years down the road. We will be thankful we were careful with these choices along our journey.

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