Hope Reflected

Encouragement and Hope from God's Word

proverbs Archive

Wednesday

7

December 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: Guard Your Mouth and Your Tongue

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guard your mouth and your tongue

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23

Guarding my tongue can be a challenge. Evidently, I’m not the only one, as throughout the Bible we read of various examples of men and women who learned the importance of guarding their mouths and tongues. Often seen as a sign of wisdom, there is a quote that says, “Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.” It’s important to learn when to speak, and when to hold your tongue. It’s not always easy, but if you get in the practice of tasting your words before you speak them, guarding your mouth and your tongue gets easier. The art of knowing when to speak and when to hold your tongue, is a life-long learning process, I’m convinced.

Here are some verses that speak about guarding your mouth and thinking before you speak:

  • “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
  • “An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will escape from trouble.” Proverbs 12:13
  • “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Proverbs 13:3
  • “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23

Friday

11

November 2016

Hope Reflected: The Importance of a Firm Foundation

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remembrance day

As we approach Remembrance Day, this year more than ever before, I am reminded of the importance of having a firm foundation. The men and women who fought to protect our country, each of them truly believed in risking their lives for man and country. The men and women who served (and currently serve) believed so strongly in protecting our freedoms that they were willing to give up their lives. How many of us believe in something so passionately that we’d be willing to give up our lives for that something? We live in a world where it’s now considered acceptable to sit or kneel during the National anthem, where believing in God is considered passé, and where standing up for a faith puts one at risk of being considered hate-filled and intolerant. I find myself questioning, if we’re removing the very foundations that North America was founded upon, how can we in good conscience pay homage to those men and women who served and risked (and lost!) their lives to protect our nation?

Proverbs 22:28 reminds us to “remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” When we start messing around with our foundations, the whole structure shifts. And an unsteady structure is not a safe structure.

Think about it: The foundation is the arguably the most important part of your home. Without a firm foundation, your home is not secure. Any errors or mistakes in the foundation of your home only get worse as you build up. The framing, roof, and the rest of the structure will be completely out!

Just like your home, having a firm foundation for what you believe in is important for several reasons.

  1. A firm foundation is important because storms will come. In a home, without a firm foundation, your home would wash away when rains fall and storms blow. The same can be said about your faith. You may think it doesn’t matter what (or Who) you believe in, but when the storms in life come, you need strength and structure for your soul. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
  1. A firm foundation is important because our foundation is our core. Ever heard the saying, “Treat the cause, not the symptom”? Without a firm foundation, we put ourselves at risk for all kinds of surface issues. Just like errors in the foundation of a house, if we don’t have a firm foundation for our souls, we put ourselves at risk for bad influences to creep in, and ultimately, for the progression of sin. Paul says in his first letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 6:18-19), “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, wiling to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Think about it like this: If you’re trying to get healthy, you don’t just exercise, right? If you’re truly trying to change your health for the better, you start in the kitchen, because the fuel you put in to your body is just as – or more – important than exercise. The same can be said about our spiritual life – it’s not just good works or deeds that matter, it’s what is in our soul that truly counts.

This Remembrance Day, take time to give thanks and to remember the dedication and example of those who have – and who continue – to serve our great nation. The strength of each individual and their commitment to the foundations of our country are truly honorable.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” (John F. Kennedy)

Originally published as “The Importance of a Firm Foundation.” Minto Express. November 9, 2016. 5: Print.

Friday

21

October 2016

Hope Reflected: What to do in the face of Adversity

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what to do in the face of adversity

 

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” Wise words regarding adversity from one of my favourite authours, C.S. Lewis. Inevitably, we all will face adversity in our lives at some point or another. While it may not be comforting, that’s a fact. Another fact? The key to facing adversity is how we react to it.

Proverbs 24:10 says, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” It’s easy to say, but quite often when we face times of adversity, we wonder how we’ll make it through. One of the keys to facing adversity is remembering how to keep things in perspective. Whether you’re facing adversity spiritually, relationally, physically, or emotionally, there is hope.

The most important fact to remember in the face of adversity is that God can and will help you through the toughest times in your life, if you will put your trust in Him. In the face of adversity, here are three things to do:

  1. Ask the Lord what He’s trying to teach you. Is it patience? (This is a BIG one for me!) Is it humility? Is it trust? Whatever you’re going through, God’s got you. Whatever your current circumstances and situation, God will be there for you if you’ll put your trust in Him. Largely attributed to David – who, if you’re looking or a man who faced plenty of adversity throughout his life, check out the life of David in the Bible – Psalm 119 sheds light on seeking the Lord in times of adversity, especially in verse 71, “It is good or me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Perhaps there’s an area in your life where God is trying teach you or mature you. It seems like my life long I’ve been learning (and learning, and learning) the virtue of patience. Ask the Lord what He’s trying to teach you!
  2. Remind yourself that God is in control. Ecclesiastes 7:14 tells us, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider; God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Whatever you’re facing, God is in complete control. You know what makes that fact easier to accept? When you trust God completely. Trusting God with your whole heart brings a peace that I can’t even begin to describe. As the apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
  3. Submit, surrender, and fight the good fight. OK that’s three points in one, but you get the idea. In the face of adversity:
    1. Submit yourself to the Lord. For help with submission, see James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.”
    2. Surrender yourself to His will. In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus tells His disciples, “’If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’”
    3. Fight the good fight. 1 Timothy 6:12 tells us to “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” See also 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” And finally, Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those whom He has called according to His purpose.”

Whatever you’re dealing with today, and wherever this finds you, there is hope. God will provide for you, if you will trust in Him! I’ll close with this quote from Charles Stanley: “Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances. He sustains us through them.”

Originally published as “What to do in the face of adversity.” Minto Express. September 14, 2016. 5: Print.

Wednesday

19

October 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: Guard Your Heart, Mind, and Tongue

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guard your heart, mind, tongue

We’ve all been there; at least once a week, I something I shouldn’t say and then afterwards lament about it. Our words are incredibly powerful, and once we say them, we can’t take them back. Before we speak, we have to consider and be conscious of what we’re taking into our minds and hearts.

Here are 3 verses each about remembering to guard your heart, mind, and tongue:

Guard Your Heart

  • Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
  • Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
  • Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

For more verses about the importance of guarding your heart, see also Psalm 51:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Philippians 4:6-7, and 1 John 3:20.

Guard Your Mind

  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
  • 1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
  • Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

For more verses about guarding your thoughts and your mind, see also Psalm 101:3, Proverbs 4:25, Romans 12:2.

Guard Your Tongue

  • Proverbs 13:3 “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
  • Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
  • Proverbs 21:23 “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

For more verses on the importance of guarding your tongue, see also Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 17:28, Matthew 12:36, and Ephesians 4:29.

 

Friday

7

October 2016

Hope Reflected: What is the Fear of the Lord?

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the fear of the Lord

Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10 both state that the “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:”

There are many references to the fear of the Lord throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible but what does it really mean to fear God?

This question is one that Wes and I have been discussing over the past week. It all started when we were talking about unreasonable fears, otherwise known as worries. As humans, we so often get caught up in fearing the future, what’s ahead, how a situation is going to turn out, or things we have no control over. We have fears here on earth, and then God commands us in Scripture to fear the Lord. So what does the fear of the Lord really mean?

The fear of the Lord really takes us out of the equation. To put it simply, having a fear of God means not thinking more of ourselves than we ought to, and recognizing that the Lord is the only one who can save us from eternal damnation. He controls EVERYTHING. Not just the entire world, but the entire universe, and even galaxies and things that we know nothing about. Our redemption is nothing that I can do, or think, or say, or overanalyze; no, the fear of the Lord means honouring Him as our rescuer and salvation.

As Christians, we should have a healthy viewpoint of the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is not a bad thing; it’s a good thing! It’s like true love: You cannot truly love someone without being vulnerable. How else can we fully comprehend the extent of God’s love for us if we don’t first have a fear of Him?

The Bible is filled with examples of the fear of the Lord. Think about the true story of Joseph in Genesis, or Moses (and all points in between) in Exodus. Think about Paul’s inspired words throughout Romans and his letter to the Corinthians, and John throughout his epistles.

I love how R.C. Sproul describes the fear of the Lord in his article, “What Does it Mean to Fear God?” He says, “If we really have a healthy adoration for God, we still should have an element of the knowledge that God can be frightening. ‘It is a frightening thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ (Heb. 10:31). As sinful people, we have every reason to fear God’s judgment; it is part of our motivation to be reconciled with God.”

When we have an understanding of the fear of the Lord, it should put things into perspective and set our priorities correctly here on earth. It makes it easier to remember (easier, not easy), that whatever you’re facing in front of you is never bigger than the God inside you.

Originally published as “The Fear of the Lord.” Minto Express. Fergus-Elora News Express. August 24, 2016. 5: Print.

Wednesday

5

October 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: God Never Hurries

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God never hurries A.W. Tozer quote Wednesday Wisdom

“God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” A.W. Tozer

When circumstances just don’t seem in my favour, or when I wonder why God’s making me wait, it always helps to remember that God’s timing is perfect. As A.W. Tozer said in his book The Pursuit of God, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” We may not understand God’s timing, but when we rest in the fact that His timing is perfect, we’ll be filled with a peace only our Saviour can provide.

It’s a good thing to wait on the Lord, and it is a good thing to rest in Him.

Here are some verses that remind us of God’s perfect timing:

  • “Wait on the LORD: be of courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
  • “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7
  • “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1
  • “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.” Proverbs 20:22
  • “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25
  • “I will wait upon the LORD…” Isaiah 8:17
  • “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
  • “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
  • “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7
  • “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

 

Wednesday

24

August 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: Proverbs 4:26

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proverbs about God directing our paths

“Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all your ways be established.” Proverbs 4:26

The book of Proverbs is full of great advice, which still resonates thousands of years after its original publication. Proverbs 4:26, which says, “Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all your ways be established,” is a statement which may seem simple, but contains some very practical advice.

You’ve heard the saying, “Your actions speak louder than words.” The first part of Proverbs 4:26 is a timely reminder to us that we should consider our ways before we act.

The second part of Proverbs 4:26, “And let all your ways be established,” is saying that we should make sure our actions are set, fixed, acceptable, even habitual. The decisions that we make should be reflective of our Faith. The direction in which we choose to take our life should be honouring to the Lord.

If you’re worried about the path before you not being clear or not knowing what way God wants you to go, remember these verses:

  • “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
  • “Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8
  • “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

When in doubt, get into God’s Word.

Wednesday

20

April 2016

Hope Reflected: The Importance of Faithfulness, Even in the Little Things

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Lamentations 3:23 the importance of faithfulness

One of my favourite passages in the Bible is Lamentations 3:22-23, in which the author says, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

God’s faithfulness is great.

Whenever I read this passage or hear the classic Thomas Chisholm hymn, “Great is Thy faithfulness”, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness. And I’m also reminded that we sometimes read those words or sing that hymn without truly taking in the meaning, and the value, of faithfulness.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, being “faithful” means to remain loyal and steadfast. To be loyal is to have “a strong feeling of support or allegiance”, and to be steadfast is to be “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering”. Those are words with impact, and faithfulness is an impacting virtue.

While faithfulness is important in every aspect of our lives, I can think of three areas where the virtue of faithfulness is especially significant: Relationally, professionally, and financially.

  1. Faithfulness is a fundamental foundation in relationships. Hebrews 13:4 says that “Marriage is to be held in honor among all…” When we think about being faithful in a relationship, quite often the first thought is sexually. That’s certainly an important key, however I think too often we don’t place enough value on emotional faithfulness. Especially in today’s society, it seems to be more commonplace for women and men to go outside the marriage to confide in female or male friends, or even co-workers. Adultery doesn’t just refer to sexuality. Proverbs 6:32 says, “A man who commits adultery with a woman lacks wisdom, whoever does it destroys his own life.” Men and women alike should protect the sanctity of their marriage covenant. Proverbs 31:11-12 says of the virtuous woman, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil.”
  2. Faithfulness is a fundamental foundation in your career. There’s the old adage that says “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Maybe you don’t have the benefit of being in a job that you “love”, so perhaps you think your position doesn’t matter. It does. Regardless of whether you’re working in a job to make ends meet, or if you love your career choice, Colossians 3:23 instructs us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men…”. Whether you love where you’re at professionally or not, we should all be working for God’s glory. You might say, “But what about my boss?!” Well, the Bible tell us in Romans 13:1, “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Whether politically or professionally, no authority is in place without God’s plan being part of it. Rest in that, and do your best.
  3. Faithfulness is a fundamental foundation in your finances. Finances are always a touchy subject. Everybody has his or her own opinion about how to deal with their finances. But what does the Bible say? The Bible has a lot to say about our finances. Psalm 37:21 tells us, “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives…”. As Christians, we are to be good stewards of all that God has blessed us with, and that means paying off debts as well as giving. Even as early as the book of Genesis (14:19-20), we are told that Abram tithed and gave the Lord a tenth of everything. In Proverbs 3:9-10 we are advised to “Honor the Lord with your wealth and the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” My Grama always reminded me that when she was young and newly married, she and my Grampa never bought what they couldn’t pay for upfront. It’s a good reminder that if there is something you want, don’t always be so quick to rely on your credit card. There’s reward in purchasing items outright and not owing anything. We should be faithful in our finances.

Faithfulness is a virtue that can be developed prayerfully and with good habits. Proverbs 28:20 says “A faithful man shall abound with blessings…”.

 

Originally published as “The Importance of Faithfulness, Even In the Little Things”. Minto Express. April 6, 2016: 5. Print.

Wednesday

13

April 2016

A Guide to Encouraging Bible Verses, Part 2: Verses About Love, Forgiveness, Patience

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Luke 6:35 encouraging Bible verses

By this time, you’ve read Part 1 of my guide to encouraging Bible verses, and in this column, I share some encouraging Bible verses that have impacted my life greatly, on the topics of love, forgiveness, and patience.

In this second part of the Guide to Encouraging Verses in the Bible, I’ve selected several verses each on the topics of forgiveness, love, and patience. At times, all three can be difficult virtues to practice, however God assures us in His Word of the benefits of living a life and exercising forgiveness, love, and patience. I hope you find these verses to be an encouragement, wherever you’re at in your walk today.

[If you’re feeling apathetic or indifferent] Verses about LOVE:

  • Luke 6:35 “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;”
  • John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
  • Romans 13:10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.”
  • Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
  • 1 Peter 4: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
  • 1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

[If you’re feeling bitter and need relief] Verses about FORGIVENESS:

  • Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
  • Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
  • Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
  • Matthew 6:14 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
  • Mark 11:25 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
  • Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
  • 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

[If you’re feeling impatient] Verses about PATIENCE:

  • Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
  • Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
  • Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”
  • Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
  • Romans 12: 12 “Be…Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer;”
  • Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
  • Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

 

Originally published as “A Guide to Encouraging Verses in the Bible Part 2 – Verses About Love, Forgiveness, and Patience.” Minto Express. March 23, 2016: 12. Print.

Tuesday

29

March 2016

Hope Reflected: Strategy (On the Road to Success)

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Proverbs 21:5

Last weekend, Wes and I were playing a game of Battleship. As it usually happens when we play board games, things got pretty heated, and before long, we were engaged in a best of three tournament (and I’ll admit, Wes won two of the three rounds). This brought up the discussion of strategy during the first and second World Wars, and further than that, got me thinking about the relevance of strategy in every day life.

The word strategy is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as, “A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.” The thing is though, you might have what you believe to be the best laid plans to achieve your goals, but there are always some circumstances that are out of your control. What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Here are three important factors to consider in your strategy on the road to success:

  1. If you move too quickly, you’re more likely to go the wrong way. The line between patience and pursuit is a fine one, but as King Solomon – one of the greatest strategists of Biblical times – said in Proverbs 21:5 (KJV), “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” Don’t be so eager to achieve your goals that you make decisions before first praying, and thinking. See also King Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 13:16 (NKJV), “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.”
  2. Be willing to re-evaluate your plan and change your mind. Continually. Sure you’ve set goals, as well as the road map to achieve them, but let’s face it: Life is constantly changing. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV), “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” We have to be ready and wiling to adapt to – and to anticipate – change. Part of that is having a willingness to hear constructive criticism and listen to the advice of those around you.
  3. Fight your battles on your knees. I’ve long been a huge fan of Dr. Charles Stanley and his “Life Principles” series, and his “Life Principle 8” states, “Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.” The most important thing to realize about any pursuit in life is that you’re not in it alone. And when I write that, I don’t refer to family or friends. I’m referring to the importance of your relationship with God. While we are all born with a free will, God’s got every circumstance in His control. It’s an amazing truth to realize that when our life strategies don’t go according to plan, we don’t have to panic. Claim Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) which promises, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Ask any successful person, and they’ll tell you the road to accomplishment is not without its sharp curves, potholes, and detours. Don’t give up just because things may not be going the way you want right now. Part of a winning strategy involves learning to be patient, being open to change, and being prayerful in your direction and decisions.

 

Originally published as “Strategy on the Road to Success.” Minto Express. January 27, 2016: 5. Print.

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