In relationships, we often believe if we find the right person it will make everything right. So we ask ourselves, “Is this the right person for me?” Maybe we need to be asking a different question—a question that shifts our focus from seeking the right kind of person to becoming the right kind of person.

Most of us have a low-grade level of guilt when it comes to prayer. We know we should pray more, but most of the time, life crowds it out. What would happen if we created a way to pray more in the second half than we did in the first? The conclusion of Halftime shows us how.

If we are going to finish the second half of the year strong, we are going to have to take an honest look about what happened in the first half with today’s topic. Without question, it’s your most precious resource and one that can make a big difference with a few Halftime adjustments.

Remember January? The new year resolutions and wishes can seem a long way away. And yet, it’s too not too late to finish strong. It’s only July. It’s only Halftime. Before we go any further into the second half of the year, the writer of Hebrews gives us a great perspective which leads to 4 great questions to ask at halftime. These questions not only prepare us for the rest of the series but the second half of 2019.

When we see someone we care about make bad decisions, we can either confront them about it or hope someone else does. Many times we opt for the latter, under the guise of being kind, not wanting to interfere, or waiting for them to ask for our input. But we should ask ourselves: are we really being kind, or are we letting fear, discomfort, or indifference be the boss of us?

All of us walk through life with occasional fear. And it’s not always a bad thing. Fear is a byproduct of our ability to think about what might happen in the future, and it can protect us from harm. However, living with too much fear can cause us to be self-absorbed, distracted, and overly protective. But the good news is this: You don’t have to be afraid even when there’s something to be afraid of.

When we feel anger, our emotions tell us it’s 100 percent someone else’s fault. But James, the brother of Jesus, has something different to say. When we take a step back and acknowledge what the problem really is, anger will no longer be the boss of us.

Envy causes us to compare and compete with others in an unhealthy way. It brings arrogance when we’re winning and discouragement when we’re not. It robs us of contentment and causes us to feel like—as an ancient king put it—we’re chasing after the wind. But envy doesn’t have to be the boss.

When it comes to guilt, many of us naturally lean in one of two ways: we wallow in it by reliving the past, or we deny it by making excuses. In either instance, guilt is causing us to be out of balance. The apostle Paul reminds us that, because of Jesus, guilt is not the boss of us.

We all monitor our behavior to some degree. This keeps us out of trouble and helps us in our personal and professional relationships. But Jesus invites his followers to take monitoring a step further.