“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things“ – Phil 4:8 (NIV).
In recent years Uganda has been producing world class athletes who have gone on to smash’s world records. In 2020 Joshua Cheptegei smashed both the 10,000 and 5,000 Km world records that had stood for years. Stephen Kiprotich has won the Olympic and London marathon. Halimah Nakayi won the 800 women’s meter gold at World Athletics Champion in 2019.
If you were to ask any of these great athlete what is the secret behind their success, top on the list will be controlling their thought pattern. Every athlete who goes into a race must start by thinking positively of himself as a winner. Positive thoughts control behavioral patterns that lead to success. For instance, successful athletes decide what they eat, force their bodies to practice even when they don’t feel like and never let themselves down with despondent thoughts. The thing about a great athlete is having will power to conquer odds which starts with positive belief in the mind.
A particularly important aspect about our thought pattern is that God has given every person the power to control what he thinks. One can decide to think of himself as a loser or a winner. The one who embraces thoughts of being a loser will lose hope of rising up and practicing for victory. Likewise those who think of themselves as winners will rise to work towards victory. Faced with difficulties they will remain upbeat because they continue to believe in victory. They do not allow worry and negative thoughts have a better part of them.
Now one thing every believer ought to know is that our minds are open fields to attack with negative thoughts. We need to protect our minds from negative thoughts because of the poisonous effect such thoughts can have on us. Just at the same time we should always be feeding our minds with positive thoughts. As the Bible says, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it” (Proverbs 4: 23).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, today I surrender to you all my thoughts that they may glorify you and in turn inspire me to lead the victorious life in Christ Jesus.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
