Romans 8:37 (NIV) says, "…In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." But do we really know what it means to be more than a conqueror? I know it took many years for me to learn what it means and how to live the victorious life Jesus died to give us as believers. I remember many years when I went to church faithfully every week, yet my private life was pathetic. It was so frustrating because I really loved God and was a born-again believer, but I wasn't experiencing victory over the problems in my life so that I could really live for God and help people.
One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that you can't be both selfish and happy. I know this is true through my own personal experience, but more importantly, the Bible has some things to say about the attitude we should have about "self." For example, love is not selfish. In the Amplified Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMPC) says, …Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking.... In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the apostle Paul said, …I die daily [I face death every day and die to self] (AMPC), which basically means he was not self-seeking but instead focused on doing what God called him to do with his life.
When I was about 45 years old, God gave me an undeniable urge to confront my father, who had sexually abused me throughout my childhood. I was terrified to experience his anger again, and I did. But I also accomplished what God was leading me to do. And it helped me break free. Here's what I want to help you understand: When God gives you direction for your life, don't run from it, embrace it...no matter how scary or difficult it may seem. Let God lead you step by step, believing He loves you and that He's acting on your behalf. (See John 3:16-17 and Romans 8:28)
One of the greatest revelations of my life is: I can choose my thoughts and think things on purpose. In other words, I don't have to just think about whatever falls into my mind. This was a life-changing revelation for me because as Proverbs 23:7 says, "As he [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." I like to say it like this: Where the mind goes, the man follows. Now God is concerned about the hidden man of the heart, which is our inner life. Our inner life is what we think about. And like the scripture above says, the way we think determines how we live and who we are. That's why we need to think about what we're thinking about.
No matter how long you may live, you'll never stop learning. Every minute of every day brings new opportunities to learn something we've never known before. And as long as we're open to receive, God will continue to teach us every day. I'm still learning, and I know I always will be. What God teaches me every day about love continues to change my life. I've come to the place where I can honestly say, "Lord, eliminate everything in my life that's holding me back. Please take away anything that's keeping me from walking in love and finding true fulfillment in my life."
God can restore whatever you've lost. And He wants to bring forth something beautiful. This world is hard. It's filled with people full of hurt and pain. Five minutes watching the news or scrolling through social media and you'll quickly be reminded of the brokenness of humanity and our deep need for a Savior. Many are dealing with the emotional pain of abuse or past hurts—pain that prevents us from enjoying the good life God has planned for us.
Years ago, I found myself in an interesting place. I was a Christian who was living for God and I even had my own ministry, but I wasn't really enjoying my life. As I sought God about it, He began showing me that joy is a major part of His plan for us. He doesn't just want us to be happy "when"—when Friday gets here...when it's time for a vacation...when people do what we want. God wants us to live with His joy—it's part of His will for our daily lives!
I have always been a planner. I'm a goal-oriented person, so I like to have a plan and then check things off my list. However, over the years, I've learned an important lesson—life doesn't always go as planned! Whether it's a little plan or a big plan—your daily schedule or your career strategy—it can be disappointing if everything doesn't work out the way you had hoped. And many people fall apart when their plan falls apart.
My father became a Christian when he was 83 years old. There were many times throughout the years when I thought, "He will never change!" But I kept praying for him. And thank God, eventually, he did change—he experienced the greatest transformation of all. To be transformed means you are changed entirely from the inside out. When you become a born-again Christian, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says you are: ...a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us, and He works in us—transforming our mind, will and emotions—so we become more like Jesus day by day.
Do you know you're stronger than you think? Do you know God has placed a holy determination inside you—an ability to handle things that come your way and never give up? We all have dreams, and we all experience times in life when we feel like throwing in the towel. Or we say a quick prayer and hope everything will just magically change. However, only wishing for things or situations in life to get better or to be different does not bring change or results.
