“God has ordered our existence to operate like a farmer planting seed in a field. If you pray and ask God for an oak tree, the Almighty might send you an acorn, because big things can come from small beginnings. God’s answer may not look like your request. So when you get an acorn but were expecting a tree, don’t throw the acorn away. Your tree is in the seed. God works through the agricultural principle of planting a seed and reaping a harvest. Your something small can become something mighty if you are a good steward of the seed.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“When you share your dreams with people who cannot envision more, their fearful comments can be discouraging. When people encourage you to live a life that yields less than what you’re capable of accomplishing, there’s usually a selfish motive. When the people closest to you try to confine your life to a small space, it’s typically not because they’re bad people or because they want you to feel like a failure. Most often they fear you will outgrow them and have no room for them in your life.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Are you prepared to brave the negative reactions, comments, criticisms, and complaints that may arise from owning your authentic self? Can you handle it? Some people can’t. They live without expressing the authenticity of what abides deep within them because the approval of others is more important to them than self-approval.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Silence isn't golden and it surely doesn't mean consent, so start practicing the art of communication.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Progress apart from purpose ends in arrogance.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Blame unto others only as you would first blame yourself.”
―
T.D. Jakes
Never settle for less than God’s best for your life.”
―
T.D. Jakes
If you can dream it, you can achieve it. The secret to recapturing dreams is to enjoy the pursuit of the dream, rather than to focus on the outcome.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“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
“Just because turtles dwell at your feet doesn’t mean you should come down from your height and barter with, debate, or eat alongside them.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“We need instead to find people who are in sync with our beat and form a more perfect union with those who hear the same rhythm! It is time for us to find the thing we were created to do, the people we were meant to affect, and the power that comes from alignment with purpose.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Nobody likes hard times, but it’s the unpleasant experiences that are often the catalysts to build the character required for our destiny.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Face the giants in your life, slay them, and move on. Do not be daunted by the mistakes and failures in your life.”
―
T.D. Jakes
“Our greatest power doesn’t always emerge from our experiences, not even from our most intense ones. There’s incredible hidden treasure locked up in your instincts that may not always show on your résumé. If you can spend some time with yourself, you may be on the verge of the most powerful part of your life, discovering what’s inside that your instincts want to express outside. Think about what you gravitate toward when given time to relax and recharge.”
―
T.D. Jakes