FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
It is the will and purpose of the Lord for you that you succeed in the Christian life. It is up to you to have a mind set that “failure is not an option”. You have to accept that difficulties are going to come, things are not always going to go the way you expected or planned them, people are going to try to discourage and distract you. You must purpose that you will overcome every difficulty, you are not going to give up and you are in this race for the long haul. You must keep on reminding yourself that you cannot afford to fail.
(1) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in put your faith into action. You have to trust the Lord to be true to his word. It is by faith that you will make it. The four leprous men of 2 Kings (7:1-8) were faced with a desperate situation. They were banished to the outside of the city because of their condition. In the city of Samaria was certain death from starvation because of the famine there. On the other side was their avowed enemies and possible death but food was there. As they sat there, they questioned among themselves, “why sit we here till we die?” They decided to move towards the enemy’s camp. The Lord caused the enemy to hear a loud rumbling as if many chariots were coming. They fled for fear leaving all their belongings behind, including enough food to feed the city of Samaria. What are you faced with? You cannot accept failure it is not on the Lord’s agenda for you. You have to constantly move in faith. Your faith makes you an overcomer. (1John 5:4)
You are not locked into anything that cannot be changed. If you move in faith the Lord will move for you.
(2)To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in avoid people and situations that would cause you to displease the Lord. You main focus is pleasing the Lord. Those who are hindrances and distractions to your advancing in the Christian life must be recognized and when possible avoided. It is in your best interest to spend the least amount of time around those people who are not necessarily good for you. If you know that their speech and behavior is not becoming Christ avoid it. Some like family members you just have live with and be a light to. The enemy always sends so-called friends to occupy your time and distract you. Deep on the inside they believe that they could lead you away from the faith or weaken your resolve. Ask the Lord for wisdom. Limit your time spent with them.
(3) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in take control of your thought life. Fill your mind and spirit with the word of God, day and night. Read wholesome material, listening to music and voices that give a good report, watch clean shows. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phil.4:8). We cannot afford to allow our minds to be overtaken with impure thoughts neither by thoughts of despair, despondency and doubt. You have to constantly affirm what the Lord says about you and about every situation you face. In weakness –you am strong. In times of sickness—you are healed, in times of temptation—you are victorious, in times of financial difficulty—your needs are met, your marriage will succeed; your children and grand children will be
saved. You must believe the report of the Lord. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:7-9)
Meditating on the word includes reminding yourself of what the Lord said and that you are living only by what God said, not by what man says, not as circumstances dictate neither by your feelings. We walk by faith not by sight.
(4) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in focus on accomplishing the tasks set before you. You are an ambassador for Christ. You are on a mission representing God's kingdom. With the power that Christ has placed in you, failure is not an option" in your life. Your mission in life must be accomplished. You cannot afford to let the Lord down. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me (Phil 4:13). Our first task is enduring to the end. The Christian life is a marathon with many obstacles, hills and valleys. At times things will be strenuous and your energy would seem to be sapped. It is then that you have to remind yourself whose you are and whom you serve and lift up your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help (Acts 27:23; Ps 121:1-8). You have to condition yourself for all different circumstances. You keep your eyes on the prize. Trust the wisdom of the Lord. Trust him to be faithful to his word and to be a rewarder of those who diligently
seek him. The Lord has put a lot of stock and confidence in you. He knows you can make it and has chosen you to represent him in this present evil world. You cannot afford to give up. Too many eyes are upon you. All of those who ran this race before you are pulling for you. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb.12: 1,2). You have to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:13). You have to be prayerful and watchful. The enemy is cunning, he still comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) but you have power (authority) over all his power (Lk.10: 19) and you are not ignorant of his devices. As
you resist him he will flee from you (Jas. 4:7).
(5) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in you must be humble. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (Jas.4: 6,10) Realize that without the help of the Lord you would be a miserable failure and with him you cannot fail and commit to walk humbly before him. You are destined to be successful; humility is the way to success. When the Lord exalts you only he can bring you down. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. When you humble yourself before him exaltation is sure.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom.8: 34-39) The Lord loves you, he is for you and you were destine before the foundation of the world to be an overcomer and you tell yourself that you will be an overcomer. Nothing that comes your way is too difficult for you. The Lord has prepared you to handle every difficulty. From eternity past he knew all that would have come your way and has given you the grace to handle it. You are more
than a conqueror and you will not fail.
Paul was faced with his personal obstacles (battles) and cried to the Lord for relief. The word of the Lord came to him allowing him to know that grace was given for his difficulties. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. There is grace for every test you face. You were born to overcome. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Apostle Greg Sealy,
www.gsiom.org
Sitting At His Feet
110 Eugene Street, Montgomery, Al 36104
(334) 263-3306 or 264-3306
(1) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in put your faith into action. You have to trust the Lord to be true to his word. It is by faith that you will make it. The four leprous men of 2 Kings (7:1-8) were faced with a desperate situation. They were banished to the outside of the city because of their condition. In the city of Samaria was certain death from starvation because of the famine there. On the other side was their avowed enemies and possible death but food was there. As they sat there, they questioned among themselves, “why sit we here till we die?” They decided to move towards the enemy’s camp. The Lord caused the enemy to hear a loud rumbling as if many chariots were coming. They fled for fear leaving all their belongings behind, including enough food to feed the city of Samaria. What are you faced with? You cannot accept failure it is not on the Lord’s agenda for you. You have to constantly move in faith. Your faith makes you an overcomer. (1John 5:4)
You are not locked into anything that cannot be changed. If you move in faith the Lord will move for you.
(2)To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in avoid people and situations that would cause you to displease the Lord. You main focus is pleasing the Lord. Those who are hindrances and distractions to your advancing in the Christian life must be recognized and when possible avoided. It is in your best interest to spend the least amount of time around those people who are not necessarily good for you. If you know that their speech and behavior is not becoming Christ avoid it. Some like family members you just have live with and be a light to. The enemy always sends so-called friends to occupy your time and distract you. Deep on the inside they believe that they could lead you away from the faith or weaken your resolve. Ask the Lord for wisdom. Limit your time spent with them.
(3) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in take control of your thought life. Fill your mind and spirit with the word of God, day and night. Read wholesome material, listening to music and voices that give a good report, watch clean shows. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phil.4:8). We cannot afford to allow our minds to be overtaken with impure thoughts neither by thoughts of despair, despondency and doubt. You have to constantly affirm what the Lord says about you and about every situation you face. In weakness –you am strong. In times of sickness—you are healed, in times of temptation—you are victorious, in times of financial difficulty—your needs are met, your marriage will succeed; your children and grand children will be
saved. You must believe the report of the Lord. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:7-9)
Meditating on the word includes reminding yourself of what the Lord said and that you are living only by what God said, not by what man says, not as circumstances dictate neither by your feelings. We walk by faith not by sight.
(4) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in focus on accomplishing the tasks set before you. You are an ambassador for Christ. You are on a mission representing God's kingdom. With the power that Christ has placed in you, failure is not an option" in your life. Your mission in life must be accomplished. You cannot afford to let the Lord down. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me (Phil 4:13). Our first task is enduring to the end. The Christian life is a marathon with many obstacles, hills and valleys. At times things will be strenuous and your energy would seem to be sapped. It is then that you have to remind yourself whose you are and whom you serve and lift up your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help (Acts 27:23; Ps 121:1-8). You have to condition yourself for all different circumstances. You keep your eyes on the prize. Trust the wisdom of the Lord. Trust him to be faithful to his word and to be a rewarder of those who diligently
seek him. The Lord has put a lot of stock and confidence in you. He knows you can make it and has chosen you to represent him in this present evil world. You cannot afford to give up. Too many eyes are upon you. All of those who ran this race before you are pulling for you. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb.12: 1,2). You have to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:13). You have to be prayerful and watchful. The enemy is cunning, he still comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) but you have power (authority) over all his power (Lk.10: 19) and you are not ignorant of his devices. As
you resist him he will flee from you (Jas. 4:7).
(5) To avoid discouragement and frustration from setting in you must be humble. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (Jas.4: 6,10) Realize that without the help of the Lord you would be a miserable failure and with him you cannot fail and commit to walk humbly before him. You are destined to be successful; humility is the way to success. When the Lord exalts you only he can bring you down. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. When you humble yourself before him exaltation is sure.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom.8: 34-39) The Lord loves you, he is for you and you were destine before the foundation of the world to be an overcomer and you tell yourself that you will be an overcomer. Nothing that comes your way is too difficult for you. The Lord has prepared you to handle every difficulty. From eternity past he knew all that would have come your way and has given you the grace to handle it. You are more
than a conqueror and you will not fail.
Paul was faced with his personal obstacles (battles) and cried to the Lord for relief. The word of the Lord came to him allowing him to know that grace was given for his difficulties. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. There is grace for every test you face. You were born to overcome. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Apostle Greg Sealy,
www.gsiom.org
Sitting At His Feet
110 Eugene Street, Montgomery, Al 36104
(334) 263-3306 or 264-3306
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