win |wɪn| verb 1 be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict): She will win the battle.
“Sometimes God must win the battle within me before He can win the battle for me.” – Steven Furtick
I recently heard a powerful message by Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church at Bishop TD Jakes’ recent conference, Project Gideon. Pastor Furtick spoke about “winning from within”–and I cannot shake it from my mind and heart. I left the service that day realizing that God has placed everything that I need for victory in my life, right within my reach.
Often times, I see so many believers quitting and becoming discouraged when they walk through difficult seasons or battles in their lives. We pray and ask God for peace, for understanding, for joy, for miracles–but we don’t realize that because we are believers, we already have access to all of this, right now!
I’ve talked a lot this month about the power of thinking positively, and the power of your thought life in general. You need to decisively choose to take action in your life, and then you will begin to see situations change before your very eyes.
“I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” Mark 11:23
Life is all about choices. We can choose to have a positive outlook on life, or a negative one. We can choose to believe and trust in God, or choose to take matters into our own hands. We can choose to love and obey His commands, or decide for ourselves a different path to take. We can choose to win, or to lose. The choice is ours.
I think so many of us, as believers, don’t recognize what great things are just within our reach. I don’t want to see wasted potential in the world–I want everyone I meet to discover all that God has for them, and to live their lives in abundance!
However, we have to learn to win from within before we can ever win an outward battle in our lives. If you choose to WIN from within–you will begin WINNING in life.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11
In today’s society, we are so distracted by so many different things in our lives (i.e. sports practice, kids, activities, our phones, social media, etc.), it’s easy to feel as if you’re playing a thousand games and winning at nothing. Be careful not to put too much time and effort into “games” you won’t even care about winning in 10 years.
Ask yourself: “What do I want to win at in life? What specific, strategic gifts and talents do I want to pursue? What are the top 5 most important things to me, right now?”
Your life is about pursuing all that God has, specifically for YOU. Your life is about pursuing purpose and destiny, for YOU and God’s Kingdom. Finding your place and purpose in God’s Kingdom is where true contentment on earth is found! That, is real winning!
Lastly, you need a clear focus to win in life. I’ve been praying for laser sharp vision and focus this year in my life so that I’m able to FOCUS on the right things, and let the little things go.
Life is a journey. Focus on winning one battle at a time, and you will begin winning in life. Remember, winning is about working. If you’re not willing to work, then you’re not going to WIN.
My prayer for you today, is that you would become aware of the gifts, talents and resources that God has already provided you with. I pray that you would be encouraged today as you decide and declare to WIN in the battle you are fighting today. I pray that God will bless you abundantly, as you seek Him and His perfect will for your life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
XO-
Sabrina