7 Strategies for Life
Our life is like a race. Hebrews 12:1-2 describes it like this, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” God has marked out a race for each of us to run. The race is the purpose for our life. It is our responsibility to discover that purpose and run that race to the finish. Our life is not a sprint but a marathon filled with many twists, turns, and obstacles. It can be complicated and challenging, but life should be lived with great excitement and fulfillment, not disappointment and discouragement. Life should not be about surviving but thriving. We should live a life of overflow and abundance. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and life more abundant”. (John 10:10) As Christians we should live our life with purpose built on the foundation of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
If we are to finish the race of life God has for us in victory and run it each day with excitement there are several strategies we need to employ. Here are seven Biblical strategies for running your race of life in victory:
1. Prayer– Prayer is simply communicating with God – talking to Him and listening to Him. It is the foundation for living out life with success and fulfillment. Conversation is a part of any vital and growing relationship. We sometimes measure the quality of a marriage relationship by how well the couples communicate. One of the first things people point to as evidence that a marriage is in trouble is a lack of communication. The same is true for our relationship with God. True, honest, heartfelt conversation is a sign of a healthy relationship. It is in our communication with God that we discover and receive the important elements needed for life’s race – His will – His direction – His correction – His encouragement, His strength, His provision, and the list goes on. Our personal prayer life is key to the development of our relationship as children of God and living out the life He has for us on a daily basis. A life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the Lord and in communion with him continually “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes 5:17-18) .
2. Plan – If there is one common denominator of successful people, it’s they follow a plan. God is a planner and He looks for those who will follow a plan, His plan. He has a specific plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” If we are to effectively run the race of life God has for us we must follow a plan, God’s plan. It is the blueprint for success in life. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
3. Prioritize. Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The person who succeeds in life is the one who recognizes the proper priority of seeking God first. “What should you do first?” It is an important question to consider, otherwise you will find yourself always giving your attention first to whatever catches your attention, and not what is a priority. We end up putting the urgent things in life ahead of the important things. It has been said that it is a wise man or woman who lives life by “majoring on the majors” instead of “majoring on the minors.” But to do that, you and I must be able to figure out what things in life are major, what things are truly important, and what things are trivial or nonessential. “Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
4. Prepare– Proper preparation is essential for running our race. Every success is a product of adequate preparation. Preparation includes the development of character. Preparation requires discipline and work. Champions are never made at the moment of competition they are made during the preparation time leading up to the moment of competition. Preparation is never wasted time. In Matthew 25:1-13 we read about the 10 bridesmaids. Only five were wise. They got to go to the party because they were prepared. They had the needed oil. The others had the same opportunity but failed to prepare. They missed the party. How many are willing to put in the effort, sweat and tears required behind the scenes before they get and see the results? Will you prepare and be ready for what lies ahead? Start preparing today. Life is filled with great opportunity, and only those who are prepared will be in position to seize God’s divine opportunities.
5. Perspective – Developing and maintaining God’s perspective for life is crucial . God has a certain point of view and we have a certain point of view. The two are quite different even though we are looking at the same thing. God’s perspective is always clear and complete. It is always a better view and involves the spiritual and physical. Our Perspective on the other hand is limited by our vision, we can’t see far. We can’t see the forest for the trees because we are too close to life to see what’s really going on. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God sees from the beginning to the end. The things we see as major obstacles aren’t seen that way by Him. We need to see things from God’s perspective. From God’s perspective – We are destined to live the overcoming victorious life. From God’s perspective no weapon formed against us shall prosper. From God’s perspective, if GOD be for us who can be against us. From God’s perspective we are more than conquerors. Begin to consider God’s perspective over your own limited perspective and rise up in the power of the Lord and become all He has destined you to be, rise up and run your race from Gods perspective!
6. Persistence. The great inventor Thomas Edison desired to create the world’s first incandescent light bulb. He failed over 10,000 times before he succeeded. What would the world be like today if Edison did not have this critical quality of persistence and had quit on attempt number 100? It would be a very dark world. It is important not to give up because of mistakes, obstacles or setbacks you may encounter during your race. It requires persistence and endurance to stay the course and finish the race. Paul gave us these encouraging words, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) Don’t quit, stay with it, victory is assured for all who stay in the race. Running your race to the finish takes persistence!
7. Praise. It is vitally important to live in an attitude of praise toward God. Praise is a vehicle of faith which brings us into the presence and power of God! Praise and worship allow us to enter into God’s glory. The psalmist writes, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4). Praise is an expression of faith, and a declaration of victory! It declares that we believe God is with us and is in control of the outcome of all our circumstances (Romans 8:28). Praise is a “sacrifice,” something that we offer to God sacrificially, not just because we feel like it, but because we believe in Him and wish to please Him. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Praise brings protection and defeats the enemy. Praise brings provision. Praise brings peace. Continually praise Him as you run your race every day.
Our life is a race of faith that requires us to run it with endurance. 1 John 5:4 tells us, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” We live by faith and not by sight. (2Cor. 5:7) When we stay in faith we will see triumph and as Pauls declared “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So, pray, plan, prepare, prioritize, keep the right perspective, and always praise God. Stay in faith “keeping your eyes on Jesus because He is the author and finisher of your faith”. God loves you and desires to give you life more abundantly. Receive it and live a victorious life. Implement these strategies of live life to the fullest and when your life is complete you can be like the apostle Paul who said, ” I have fought the good fight I have finished the race…”