A friend shared a simple truth with me a few years ago.
While it’s not a complicated saying, the longer I thought about it, the more powerful it rang.
He said, “When we focus on people’s weaknesses, they become weaker. But when we focus on people’s strengths, they become stronger.”
I don’t know about you, but I have seen the negative only spoken to or about that person, and sadly the result is that person becomes weaker emotionally or develops low self-esteem.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us that, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Our words manifest.
Can you relate?
We all have weaknesses; we have all sinned. We don’t have to ignore weakness or sins, to speak words of life.
This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
That Jesus comes into our lives and transforms us.
The power of the Holy Spirit changes our weaknesses or struggles.
Begin this week by focusing on people’s strengths. Speak words of life!
When you focus on a person’s strengths, you will see that they move into a greater relationship with God and with you!
How can you do this?
A good starting point can be sharing a compliment. Have you ever received a kind word on something you did? Did that compliment encourage you?
Look for ways to compliment people on the things they do well – everyone has a gift or talent.
Looking for the things people do well takes your eyes off the negative and uplifts and strengthens the one receiving the compliment.
Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body”
Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear”
Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
Did you notice that the verse says, “CHOOSE life!”
It is your choice. Regardless of circumstance or challenge, you can CHOOSE.
Every decision you make throughout the day, large or small, can create a life followed by goodness or destruction.
It’s safe to say we all want a life filled with goodness, but your choice carries on beyond YOU. You can choose what comes after you.
That can be a heavy thought, but it should be! You can create a better life for those to come after you – I’m not talking about money; I’m talking about a legacy of faith, hope, and love.
Our obedience to God leads us into a fruitful life that can overflow into our family.
Saying yes to God leads to life, goodness, prosperity, and a life of supernatural discovery of His perfect will for our lives.
Choosing life means obeying and following God.
He will reveal his perfect plan for your life.
Saying “Yes” to God is an everyday decision.
Through that obedience comes great blessings!
Choose life today, then repeat tomorrow, and watch as life, fruit, and blessings flow into your life!
Think of the challenging situations you’re currently facing.
Now, pause and ask yourself how you are approaching these hurdles.
Has it been with grumbling or complaining, fright or terror, an attitude of defeat, or curiosity?
Let’s turn to a significant character in the bible for answers…
David is a man who we would not know today if it was not for Goliath.
I love David because of how he approached Goliath, a giant, yet stood up to him with bravery.
He teaches us a valuable lesson on handling the giants we face in life – to speak to them about how big our God is and not to talk to God about the size of the giant!
God has given us the authority to speak over our mountains. Yet, many of us only talk to God about the problem.
I want you to rise in the authority you have been given and tell that giant how big, great, awesome, mighty, and holy your God is!
We should no longer talk about the giant or mountain but speak to the giant and mountain.
You, my friend, have no reason to fear.
That giant is not greater than our God, and that mountain has to move at the command of your words.
YOU HOLD THE AUTHORITY, NOT THE GIANT!
The giant does not determine the outcome; you do!
Today, speak about your situation, not about them!
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” -Mark 11:22-24
It’s a gorgeous day in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The sun is out, the grass is green, and everything is blooming.
SPRING HAS ARRIVED!
It’s such a nice change after being in a snowstorm four weeks ago while ministering in Kazakhstan.
The massive weather shift reminds me of the seasons of life. We have days that feel cold and stormy and moments of light, warmth, and growth.
Last week did not feel like Spring in our family. As I mentioned last week, my dear nephew, who I consider a second son, passed away. He was an extraordinary person. Hundreds of people joined his memorial service and said nothing but how he was the nicest guy they ever meet.
His passing deeply moved me. I felt lost that day and couldn’t see the sun or feel hope.
We have all experienced good and bad days, but what is important is what we do in the big moments when we feel lost.
God reminded me of this amazing verse at the end of 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 13:14 says, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
God has given us three things to ensure we overcome, whether it’s on our worst or best day.
1. The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ 2. The Love of Our Father 3. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
We can overcome anything with these three things active in our everyday lives. God has given us the support and comfort of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, His love that will never leave us, and His grace to empower us.
If you’re having a hard week, run to the Father. Run to His grace. Run to the Comforter.
The snowdrop and jasmine flowers can bloom in winter, and so can you.
I found myself praying in the spirit many times since my nephew’s passing. I encourage you to do so as well!
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Go Big or Go Home.”
One day my friend said something that struck me. He said, “Go hard or Go Home.”
Many of us have cultivated this mindset of “Go Big” but have failed to cultivate a mindset to “Go Hard.”
Giving our best is surrendering to accomplish great things.
One of the nicest people, my nephew, went home to be with the Lord this week. And when I was asked to speak at his funeral, I didn’t even know if I could, but something inside me said it was time to “go hard.”
We all face challenges that feel big and will require more of us. Some challenges require perseverance, resilience, mental fortitude, courage, compassion, and to “Go Hard” to overcome.
I want you to develop a mission mindset that understands YOU HAVE A PURPOSE. YOU HAVE A REASON FOR LIVING. You are on this planet, and God has called you to fulfill His calling in your life.
Don’t go through life half hazard. Go at it with all you have. GO HARD.
We all get tired and weary from life challenges, but this comes from trying to endure them with OUR strength instead relying on the Lord’s.
Consider Paul’s words, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul learned the concept of not relying on his strength but the Lord’s that comes from His grace that empowers us.
This week, don’t rely on your strength but God’s!
Spend time in His presence where you are reminded of who He is and what He can do.
Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
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