In 7 days, many believers will participate in Ash Wednesday, the start to a 40-day period of fasting called Lent. During this time, people generally will give up something like coffee or sweets or television. I personally have given up social media for the duration.

If you’re stuck for something to sacrifice, here are some good ideas I read about in an email I received today. It’s from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

FYI: You can give these up not only for Lent but for the rest of the year and hopefully, for the rest of your life.

1.  Fear of Failure- You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.
2.  Your Comfort Zone- It’s outside our comfort zone where new discoveries are made.
3.  Feelings of Unworthiness- You are fearfully & wonderfully made by your Creator. 
4.  Impatience- God’s timing is the perfect timing.
5.  Retirement- As long as you are breathing, you are here for a reason.
6.  People Pleasing- I can’t please everyone any ways. There is only One I need to strive to please.
7.  Comparison- I have my own unique contribution to make & there is no one like me.
8.  Blame- I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility.
9.  Guilt- I am loved by Jesus & He has forgiven my sins.
10.  Over commitment- Do less good & accomplish more.
11.  Lack of Counsel- Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.
12.  Impurity- Live lives pure & without blemish.
13.  Entitlement- Neither the world nor God owes me anything. Live in humility & grace.
14.  Apathy- Life is too short not to care.
15.  Hatred- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 
16.  Negativity- I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. 
17.  The Spirit of Poverty- Believe that with God there is always more than enough & never a lack.
18.  Going Through the Motions- The more you invest yourself, the more you will get back.
19.  Complaint- Instead of contributing to the problem, be the solution.
20.  The Pursuit of Happiness- God wants something greater & more lasting than happiness. It is called joy.
21.  Bitterness- The only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself.
22.  Distraction- Life is filled with distractions that will take our eyes off the prize.
23.  Giving Up- God never gives up on us.
24.  Mediocrity- If you are going to do something, then give it all you got.
25.  Destructive Speech- Encourage one another. 
26.  Busyness- It is a badge of honor to be busy. But that does not always translate to abundance.
27.  Loneliness- With Jesus I am never alone. He is with me wherever I go.
28.  Disunity- If 2 of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done for them by the Heavenly Father.
29.  The Quick Fix- Rarely does true transformation happen over night.
30.  Worry- God is in control & worry will not help.
31.  Idolizing- Don’t assign anyone a standard they cannot live up to.
32.  Resistance to Change- Change is certain. It is not if we will change, but how we will change.
33.  Pride- Blessed are the humble.
34.  Small View of God- Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.
35.  Envy- My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
36.  Ungratefulness- You have been blessed in a way greater than you realize.
37.  Selfish Ambition- God has a mission for me that is bigger than me.
38.  Self-Sufficiency- Jesus is my strength. I can do all things through Him.
39.  Sorrow- Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
40.  My Life- Whoever loves his life loses it & whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

I normally don’t share this kind of thing, but I believe there are a lot of nuggets that will help a lot of people (including me). May these bless you and they have blessed me.