Joshua 1: 9

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” –

DAILY READING •           Mark 1:1-20; 2 Samuel 2:1-3:1; Daniel 1

Winning the battles of life begin with winning in your mind. That is where your victory is born. This is why we are to guard our mind with all diligence.

It is not what happens around you, but what happens within you that matters. And as long as you refuse to give up, no matter the challenge, it is only a matter of time before you win.

On the Fourth of July 1951, Florence Chadwick, an Olympic swimmer attempted to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast. The challenge was not so much the distance, but the bone-chilling waters of the Pacific. Each minute she spent in those icy waters was an achievement in perseverance. As she swam she was able to endure knowing that land was just so many miles away. But the challenge became more complicated when a dense fog began to veil the entire area, making it impossible for her to see land. After about 15 hours in the water, and within a half mile of her goal, Chadwick gave up. Later she told a reporter, “Look, I’m not excusing myself. But if I could have seen land, I might have made it.” Not long afterward she attempted the feat again. Once more a misty veil obscured the coastline and she couldn’t see the shore. But this time she made it because she kept reminding herself that land was there. With that confidence and faith she bravely swam on and achieved her goal. In fact, she broke the men’s record by 2 hours!”

Because Chadwick refused to give up, she eventually won. Persevering through adversity makes one better. Because Chadwick persevered, she became better as a result, and broke the men’s record by 2 hours.

Hebrews 12:1-4 “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.’

If you try to run the race without looking unto Jesus, which is looking unto The Word, you may get discouraged, because challenges will continually come your way. Your mind has to be fixed on what God has said concerning you. You may not control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.  You must be strong and courageous to keep going after the goal. Be stubborn about the vision, Dig in your heel and refuse to quit. When Israel was about to take the promised land, God gave Joshua charge to be strong and courageous. The taking over of the land would be determined based on the state of the mind. It had nothing to do with the size of their army or the enemy they were to confront.

The first battle front is always within, the battle has to be won in the mind before it can manifest physically. So God asked him to be strong and courageous through feeding on The Word. Strength is demonstrated by confidence, audacity and the courage to act in spite of circumstances. To be victorious in the battles of life your heart must be strengthened in The Word. It is through constant word study that our hearts are strengthened to do exploits. They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits. Confronted by adversity, many people give up. But through knowledge of God via His Word, boldness will be imparted into your heart to keep pressing forward no matter the obstacles on the way.

There is no temptation or challenge that comes our way that is not common to man. And if it is common then it is conquerable. You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. Faithful is He that called you who will also do it. Even when you can’t cope, don’t ever lose hope. Even when it looks as if you are in a tunnel, don’t give up, there is light at the end of that tunnel.  That you might have been knocked down, doesn’t mean that you are knocked out. Get up and keeping going forward. That you have failed does not make you a failure. God has good plans for you, trust Him. Everything that has been happening in your life, has been divinely orchestrated to bring you to your destined place. You may not be there yet, but don’t forget also that you are not where you used to be. So keep moving forward.

It is not the most intelligent or the most athletic or the wealthiest that achieve their dreams, but those who are willing to trust God and persevere against all odds.  So whatever happens be assured that all things are indeed working out for your good.  Always remember God has good plans for you, plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to bring about the future you hope for.

 

PRAYER: Lord, I know that You have good plans for me,  and that with You nothing shall be impossible. Please help me to always focus on your Word so that I can possess the faith to keep pressing forward until I arrive at the destiny you have ordained for me. May I never give up my journey halfway. Thank You for grace to press on till I win in Jesus Name. .  

 

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It is only when you can see God in the light of who He truly is that you can begin to walk in the overflow of His blessings. – WORDBITE 222.

 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK ESTABLISHED IN THE WORD OF GOD]