James 1:2-4  ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.’ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing’

DAILY READING; John 7:25-52; 1 Chronicles 29; Zechariah13

Two hours before his historic fight with Mike Tyson on November 9, 1996, Evander Holyfield began to panic. As the minutes crept closer, he became more anxious. Holyfield had every reason to be worried. Only two years earlier, in 1994, he had lost his WBA and IBF titles in a match against Michael Moorer, and afterwards he was diagnosed with a heart condition that forced him to retire from boxing. But he had been healed miraculously and returned again to boxing. And now he was to fight the feared Mike Tyson.

Many people believed Holyfield was on a suicide mission and the Media widely predicted that Tyson would crush him. However Holyfield, who had become a devoted born-again Christian in 1992, believed God would help him defeat Tyson. But now as the minutes counted down to the actual fight, sitting in his hotel room, Evander found himself panicking. But then recalling how David danced to The Lord, he began to play the Gospel song — ”Mighty Man of War”. He danced, clapped and praised God. He had also for the past four weeks before then,  been continually singing the song  ‘Be Magnified,’.

As he praised God, Evander felt something kick in. Suddenly his fears and anxiety were gone and he could feel new strength and power. And when he went into the ring, though the Media had predicted his demise, it was now Holyfield who head-butted and tortured Tyson throughout the fight. He knocked out Tyson and  won the victory.

Holyfield’s win was a big shock to the boxing world! However, Holyfield knew it was the grace of God that had turned things around in his favor and gave him supernatural victory.

Indeed winning in life depends on the attitude you choose to have. You can either focus on how big your problem is, or focus on how big your God is. You can either choose to be sad or choose to be glad. Whichever way, your attitude will eventually determine your altitude.

Gratitude to God always guarantees us higher altitudes in life. Choosing to praise God in the face of trials will always turn things around in our favor. Indeed Praise always precedes the victory. When you praise God, He will turn your adversities to your advantage. He will take what was meant for your harm and use it to advance you. He will turn your setbacks into a setup for your comeback.

This is why we rejoice even in the midst of contrary circumstances.

James 1:2-3 says ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.’

No matter the ‘big concerns’ that may sometimes face us, God is able to turn things around when we choose to rejoice in the face of adversity.

No doubt in the past few months, the world has been greatly challenged. However, no matter how adverse things may have been, the grace of God is at work to bring a supernatural turnaround. Biblically 5 is the number of grace, and today marks the beginning of the fifth month, which is the month of May. Therefore we can safely say that we have entered into a season of grace because the number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness and favor.

And in this new season, the Blood of Jesus will be speaking supernatural victory for us. Revelation 12:11 says ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.’

Through the Blood of Jesus and our testimony of praise, we have surely overcome. Therefore in this month, in everything, let us keep giving thanks to God. Rather than murmur or complain, let us continually rejoice in The Lord. Despite the greatness of any challenge, God is able to turn our mourning into dancing and give us beauty for ashes. In our individual lives and globally, God is indeed able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we could ever ask, think or imagine.

PRAYER;

Lord, by reason of Your grace, I thank You for ushering me  into a new season of ease and peace. Thank You Lord for the inexplicable blessings, favors and goodness You are bringing my way in this new season in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

When you make that which is priority to God to become your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.