“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.
Related upcoming events
-
20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
