Do you ever dream of what your life could be like? Do you know that this process, called visualization, could be a breakthrough for you? It could help you accomplish some of your priority goals in life.
If you have ever been in a play or choir, you know that before your performance you have several rehearsals. The more you rehearse, the better the performance. As has been said, practice makes perfect.
Visualization is Powerful.
Visualization is like a mental rehearsal. It is the practice of using your imagination to create mental pictures of positive results in your life. Many successful people attribute their accomplishments to visualization.
Tiger Woods visualized his golf swing at every hole. Jim Carrey wrote a check to himself in 1987 for one million dollars “for acting services rendered” He dated it “Thanksgiving 1995”. In 1994 he was paid $10 million for acting in Dumb and Dumber. When I was in sales they had us think of something we wanted to buy, pin a picture of it in our cubicle, and work toward that goal. Visualization is powerful.
Most of us dwell on our past. We think too much about our mistakes or what we could have done. But we can’t change the past. We spend too much time thinking about things that we can’t alter. Seek forgiveness and let it go.
Visualization helps you set yourself up for the future. The future is completely unwritten. You make your own future.
Is Visualization for Christians?
As Christians, we know that the future is always in God’s hands. James warns us not to pridefully plan our future without God’s direction. He warns:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
But we shouldn’t just let tomorrow happen without plans and foresight. Paul reminds us:
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13).
It think it is a great habit to visualize what God will do in your life. Visualization creates a mental vacuum of where you should be. It will pull you into your desired future. You will discover your actions and motives will alter to fulfill those dreams and goals.
While many visualize about more money, big houses, fancy cars, or fame, visualize what God wants in your life. Visualize seeing your balance sheet and you are debt free. Visualize sharing the Gospel with your neighbor. Visualize being healthy. Prayer will help you determine what God wants in your life.
My Morning Visualization.
I learned this concept from a book, “Miracle Morning.” Though this idea wasn’t presented from a Christian perspective, I have been able to adapt the concept and start every day visualizing how I want the day to go. I spend time in prayer about my day.
You might wonder what I do? Well, after I speak my morning affirmations (See my other blog – Daily Affirmations), I take a few minutes going through my upcoming day and imagine what I need to do to make it happen. I will also think about far into the future about a big goal in my life.
For example, while I was writing my first book, I would begin my day imagining myself typing on my computer getting the next chapter finished. I also imagined sending in the completed book to the editor.
Another example is sharing the gospel. In the morning I will imagine a typical conversation with someone and I will begin to share the gospel with them.
Here’s a list of some of the things I visualize in the morning:
- Sharing the Gospel with someone.
- Connecting with different church members.
- Writing a book.
- Coaching/mentoring another person.
- Giving a compliment to a complete stranger.
- Listening to someone being critical of me.
Visualization Warnings.
I want to warn you about what not to visualize. Try not to visualize the successful outcome. I’ve discovered two reasons for this.
First, when you concentrate on the outcome, you lose sight of what it takes to get there. Visualize the process. Rather than imagining weighing 150 pounds (or whatever is your goal), visualize eating right, or the exercising. Visualization is worthless if you don’t work toward it. Concentrate on the work.
Second, when you concentrate on your idea of a successful outcome, you lose sight of the fact that the future belongs to God. He may not want you to get where you think you want to go. Allow God to give you the outcome. As long as you are doing what you should be doing, the outcome will be what it should be. You might not get what you want, but you will become all God wants you to be.
So what are some of your goals and dreams? Lose weight, graduate from college, quit a bad habit, or learn how to play a musical instrument. I don’t know what your goals are, but visualize what it will take to achieve your ideal future. Imagine yourself successfully accomplishing those tasks. Soon, your behavior will align with your visualizations, and you will achieve much more than you ever dreamed.
Please share with me some of your dreams. I’d love to encourage you in your journey.
You can also read about my other morning rituals at: My Miracle Morning.