5 Ways to a Victorious Life: Addressing Complacency
Strength and Dependence
1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”
It’s easy to fold and give in to the challenges that we face in making forward progress. One truth about forward progress is that it’s never easy. It takes effort, fortitude, determination and perseverance to move ahead and conquer the obstacles that stand before you.
We become complacent because of adversity. New ground has never been taken without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever comes quickly or easily. “Every problem has hidden within it an opportunity so great that it literally dwarfs the problem.”
When we’re comfortable, we stop making forward progress and we no longer take new ground. The truth is that, there is no idle position in life, we’re all either moving forward or going backwards. C.S. Lewis addressed the subject of comfort very well; he wrote, “If you seek truth, you will find comfort. If you seek comfort, you will find only soft soap, and in the end, despair.”
Consider these 5 ways to strengthen your walk with God and take new ground!
1. Daily Devotions: A strong relationship with God comes from a constant submission to him and pressing in during every moment. Yesterdays faith is no good for today, God gives us only enough for today. When Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the dessert, God provided them with Manna from heaven but only enough for one day. In order to give, you must have something to give. By spending time with God everyday we fill ourselves up with an unseen power, and untouchable strength and equip ourselves to be givers of life and not takers. We must make time everyday to worship, pray, read, and fellowship. If we don’t we’ll be in a constant state of depletion and rendered useless.
2. Become Dependant: It goes against the grain of popular culture, but it’s the only way to truly live. Declare your complete dependence on God everyday. Release your selfish desires over to the one whose will is perfect and whose timing is never late. Make a decision everyday to empty yourself in order that God may fill you up. Luke 17:33: “Who ever seeks to save his life shall lose it; and who ever loses his life for my sake, shall preserve it.”
3. Lay down your Pride: Make a conscious decision every day to lay down your pride in return for humility. Selfish, arrogant pride is very destructive and will eventually destroy everything it contacts. It’s the original sin of Lucifer and is what caused him to be cast from heaven. Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” James 4:6 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
4. Fast Often: For a long time I didn’t understand the significance of fasting. There’s a greater purpose to fasting that just not eating food. You can fast anything that may be a distraction in your life; watching TV, computer usage or shopping. The purpose is to make a decision and understand that you’re not a slave to whatever the activity happens to be. While fasting, it’s important to replace the times of the day where you would normally be engaged in the activity with times of seeking God in prayer, reading and worship. By doing this, you’re declaring to your screaming body that you’re not its slave, but it is yours. Matthew 4:4 “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word from the mouth of God.” It’s important to be wise when fasting, pay attention to your physical health and know your limits. By fasting we’re showing God that we choose to put Him first over the distraction and by doing this we open the doors of heaven for God to move in our lives.
5. Memorize scripture: and meditate on Gods word every day. Thoughts always evoke feelings. Thoughts always lead to action. If you control your thoughts you’ll have greater control over your life. When we meditate on Gods word, it becomes our reality and that is what’s manifested in our lives. What ever you focus your thoughts on is what’ll eventually manifest in your life. When you notice negative thought patterns, immediately submit those to Christ, then replace them with an appropriate scripture and meditate on it for a while. You’ll begin to notice an immediate effect on your attitude and behavior. 2 Cor. 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Continue making forward progress, never give up on what you’ve been called to do. Be careful not to wear yourself down by not taking proper resting periods. You’ll be more effective and go farther if you balance your life with a steady rythem of rest and effort.
