July 2003
A Winning Attitude
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:27).
Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). How do you react to problems? Does anxiety overwhelm you? Do you resign yourself to defeat? You can escape defeat by changing your attitude of mind. At one time negative mindsets led me to believe that I was a mistake and should never have been born. I believed that bad things happened to me because I was a bad person who could not change. Self-pity dogged my steps, and I looked for someone to rescue me.
My Dad told me that I could do anything that I made up my mind to do, but I held fast to the misbelief that I was a non-entity without hope. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). My belief system was flawed and contrary to God’s Word until I met the One who loves me with unconditional love. I began to read the Bible as though God had written it to me personally. I believe that this book is God’s love letter to each of His children.
Over time, with a lot of scriptural self-talk and prayer I began to experience victory over myself. My feelings did not give up easily, but God gave me the strength to persevere. The old attitude of defeat struggled to remain, but I made a decision to believe what God said about me. In spite of the difficulty, I am more than a conqueror through Him!
Early in my walk with God, I thought that He would do everything; He would rescue me and be responsible for my feelings and make life easy. Reading the Bible I realized that God had given us a book of instructions for living the more abundant life.
God expects His children to grow up and take responsibility for their thought patterns and behavior. He gives us the freedom to choose, and He helps us rid our minds of old, unhappy mindsets. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7). We have a Heavenly Father who can be trusted, who will never leave us without support.
I’ve often heard people say, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” If you play the game of life according to the Word, you’ll win! The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). God wants His children to live constructive, victorious lives. God wants us, as believers, to have confidence in His Word, to believe Him rather than our negative belief system.
How can we develop and maintain a winning attitude? We have to totally change our way of thinking from negative to positive. Strip yourselves of your former nature—put off and discard your old unrenewed self—which characterized your previous manner of life…and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind—having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. Put on the new nature…(Ephesians 4:22-24 AMP). You can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you!
Your self-talk is more important than what others say about you. Is your self-talk negative or positive? You can change your attitude – let go of past failures, doubt and unbelief, and go forth as a conqueror in the face of apparent defeat. It appeared that the three Hebrew young men had lost when the king had them thrown into the fiery furnace, but the defeat turned to victory. The crucifixion of Jesus appeared to be a colossal defeat, but this apparent defeat proved to be our victory!
You can take charge of your thoughts, turn doom and gloom into joy and peace, “turn storm clouds into chariots of victory.” Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5 The Message). If God be for you, who can be against you?
Change negative feelings to positive. My book, Prayers That Avail Much, has a prayer, Overcoming a Feeling of Rejection, at the end of this prayer there is a list of Scriptural self-talk to help overcome any negative self-talk. You are who God says you are, you are more than a conqueror. He created you to win!
Develop an attitude of gratitude and give thanks. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor.15:57). Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephes.5:20).
Uproot worry, fretting and complaining by shaping your worries into prayer, and God will give you peace in the midst of tribulation. Jesus withstood temptation. He has already overcome trials and tribulations, and so can you! As a born-again believer, you have a right to be a winner, to overcome every aspect of this evil world. Think on things that are lovely and loveable, things that are of a good report. Meditate on the Word of God. Begin today developing a winning attitude. Proclaim: I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!
Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2003
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.