October 15th
OCTOBER 15th
We can be guilty of being blind and ungrateful. I know that sounds harsh but it is true! We often don’t see the good in a situation or a person, we often don’t notice small victories. We often are not satisfied with meager results. We want the big, grandiose, the overwhelming victory, perfection or near to it. We need to realize that meager results are still results. We need to be grateful for small victories. Maybe you can’t run a marathon yet but maybe you can now walk across the room instead of being stuck in a chair due to pain. Maybe you haven’t lost 50 pounds yet but you are eating healthier and feeling better.
Not that we should be critical of every little move but then again, that is how progress happens…one step at a time.
So each day the goal is to be one step closer to God than we were yesterday. Yes, progress not perfection. It is position, not perfection. Is your position today closer to Him than yesterday? Is your trajectory pointed in the right direction? Set your sights on Heaven, but keep your journey zoomed in to today. Today are you heading closer to Jesus? If not, then why? Where did you go wrong? That is the point you fix. Keeping the overall general goal won’t get you there, examine your day and figure out at what exact point your course turned away from Jesus. Maybe it was in the morning when you skipped your devotion time. Maybe it was later when you got caught up in gossip with a coworker or friend. Maybe it was when you saw something online that tempted you to spend money you can’t afford to spend. Whatever it was, address that specific point tomorrow so your day doesn’t veer off course there again. Put safe guards in place for that specific issue.
Start by thanking God for your small victories. You will change your brain when you are thankful and grateful, and that will change your life! This is not just a bunch of positive thinking-feel good advice. It is biblical!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we embrace small victories, that develops a grateful heart in us. Praise and thankfulness flow from that grateful heart and when that happens, we find the peace of God guarding our heart and mind, and with that comes strength to weather the storms around us.
We have reason to be thankful for small victories,-they come from the Lord!
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
It is great news that victory comes from the Lord! This means it is not dependent on our own strength! It is by His Spirit!
Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Today be grateful for your small victories, rejoice in the Lord and watch Him transform your life, one step at a time!
Lord, thank you that victory is from you. Thank you for your patience with me. Help me to recognize small victories in my life and in my heart help me to be thankful and grateful to you for every step closer to you. Holy Spirit help me to stay on track today to be closer to you than I was yesterday. Help me not to wander and help me to keep my eyes on you and my ears tuned in to you for your help. Thank you!