“If God has given you a mission, you must be tough enough to handle what people say and still not be distracted while doing what you were created to do. Are you tough enough? God and the enemy know the truth about you, and remember even great people doing great things for great causes meet negative criticisms. All criticism is not bad, just like all flattery is not good. Many times people don’t criticize you because they are evil; they do it because they have been trained to think anyone who doesn't perceive and see things in the same manner is an enemy. The critic is a prisoner to his own experiences and perspectives, erroneously believing his limited experiences are the sum of all truth. When you acknowledge your critics, you give them your power and validate their words. They are not important until you respond.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge" -Proverbs 18:15 (KJV)”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Most people are manipulated by the approval of others, the paycheck that supports them, and the lifestyle that has handcuffed them to the brass ring of perceived success. On this path we eventually live like slaves to a man-made system. We chase the goals of others instead of pursuing our own dreams. We anesthetize our despair with the next purchase, pill, or plunder.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“We are to work to improve ourselves while at the same time remaining totally dependent on God.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Why am I here?” You may have asked the question as you found yourself in the midst of an amazing, divinely orchestrated opportunity, or you may have asked it in reaction to having made the worst mistake of your life.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“And though I may react to the trauma emotionally, shed private tears, have a meltdown away from people, or enjoy a complete “one flew over the cuckoo’s nest” episode, when I’m finished expressing emotion I keep on keeping on. When I finish my rant, tantrum, or moment of grief, I move into the instinctive survival mode that has empowered humans to endure plights and pleasures of all kinds. Change is often as painful for me to endure as it is for anyone else, but I have learned to take the bitter with the sweet and keep on moving forward.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“told them that you have to earn the right to be heard. People won’t just follow you because you say so. They will only follow you when you have endured, developed, grown, and sometimes suffered.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“The art of avoiding extremes is an art that is drawn on the canvas of maturity and painted with the abstract strokes of many experiences.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“God’s purpose for your life cannot manifest in the midst of chaos. You can’t reach the place you were destined to be if you’re constantly getting sidetracked. You cannot reach your life purpose when everything in your life is undisciplined, distracted, and disordered.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Others can inspire you, but ultimately the only thing that empowers you is what lies within you and learning how to better utilize what you’ve been given.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“When we are placed in a set of circumstances where we have to take initiative and be creative, some of us find it hard to transition. Those people have been trained not to think but to obey orders. They are slaves to the training, unconsciously pledging allegiance to the average. Mentally they recite from the manual of mediocrity.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“But you cannot go through the Door of Destiny without passing through the Hall of Haters.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Before you get to the place that is calling you, recognize whom you can talk to about your destiny and whom you can’t. Dream killers will question your ability, your preparation, and even your worthiness to live your dream.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Instinct and purpose often operate like a marriage.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“The struggle may go on much, much longer than you could ever imagine. By the time you get to the end of the fight you can barely hold on. You wonder if you’re crazy for holding on. You’ve been battling so long that you’re worn out. You hope for a stroke of luck. You pray for a bit of divine favor. You look for encouragement and search for compassion and understanding; but mostly, you look for relief. When you’re deep in battle, what you need is strength to keep going, even when it looks like nothing is going to happen.”
―
T.D. Jakes
