Two are better than one...If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
How many of you have an accountability partner? Accountability is the ability and willingness to give an account to someone else of your actions and motives. It’s one of the suggestions Leslie makes in chapter three: Awake, My Soul. This year my friend, Sue, and I decided to read through the Gospels during Lent. I found it easy to keep on track when I knew Sue would check in to see if I was keeping up. And when I got behind a few days, it kept me from saying, “I’ve messed up; might as well quit.”
If you are struggling in being consistent in your prayer life, I would recommend an accountability partner. Here are a few tips in finding or being a good accountability partner.
1. Choose someone you trust to keep your confidence. In return, you should keep your conversations confidential.
2. Choose someone who will spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). You want someone who will challenge you to be your best.
3. Be willing to accept gentle nudging and on the flip side, to be willing to give it, too. Never be harsh, but do be firm.
4. Be realistic. Don’t set high goals that are unrealistic. If you are praying for five minutes a day, Leslie suggests adding five more minutes. Adjust to that before adding five more.
5. Make the accountability a priority. It doesn’t take much to shoot a text message asking if they are on track. Send a quote to encourage, a funny related cartoon or a Scripture verse.
6. Offer grace. Don’t expect perfection. You will have days that you aren’t successful; so will your partner. Some days you just need to give grace, a hug or a cyber smiley face.
How many of you have an accountability partner? Accountability is the ability and willingness to give an account to someone else of your actions and motives. It’s one of the suggestions Leslie makes in chapter three: Awake, My Soul. This year my friend, Sue, and I decided to read through the Gospels during Lent. I found it easy to keep on track when I knew Sue would check in to see if I was keeping up. And when I got behind a few days, it kept me from saying, “I’ve messed up; might as well quit.”
If you are struggling in being consistent in your prayer life, I would recommend an accountability partner. Here are a few tips in finding or being a good accountability partner.
1. Choose someone you trust to keep your confidence. In return, you should keep your conversations confidential.
2. Choose someone who will spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). You want someone who will challenge you to be your best.
3. Be willing to accept gentle nudging and on the flip side, to be willing to give it, too. Never be harsh, but do be firm.
4. Be realistic. Don’t set high goals that are unrealistic. If you are praying for five minutes a day, Leslie suggests adding five more minutes. Adjust to that before adding five more.
5. Make the accountability a priority. It doesn’t take much to shoot a text message asking if they are on track. Send a quote to encourage, a funny related cartoon or a Scripture verse.
6. Offer grace. Don’t expect perfection. You will have days that you aren’t successful; so will your partner. Some days you just need to give grace, a hug or a cyber smiley face.
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| Photo Credit: Dreamstime/Godfer |
These tips can be used for accountability in other areas of your life: breaking habits, self-control (anger, over eating, etc.), and procrastination. Don’t line up a list of areas in which to be accountable at one time. Choose one or two and conquer them before moving on to another.
Not only will an accountability partner help you improve in areas that defeated you before, but your friendship with your accountability partner will deepen as you work together on your respective growth needs. Most of all, your walk with God will deepen. Remember, As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another (Proverbs 27:17).
Not only will an accountability partner help you improve in areas that defeated you before, but your friendship with your accountability partner will deepen as you work together on your respective growth needs. Most of all, your walk with God will deepen. Remember, As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another (Proverbs 27:17).
1 comment:
This is such good advice, Pamela. I find that I grow more when I am in a relationship with an accountability partner. Good words, friend.
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