Olympic medal winners must overcome huge challenges in order to come out on top. It is the same for all of us. Helping to build DCPI (Dynamic Church Planting International) from the ground up has had many difficulties.
Last year Carolyn and I got to visit Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. This is what is left of the original Olympic stadium there.
Soon after I partnered with Paul Becker in developing DCPI, his first wife died of cancer. Our training attendance was low, we experienced financial struggles, and staff members gave up and left.
We could easily have allowed these trials to defeat us. But through prayer and faith we persevered and are now seeing remarkable success.
Our vision is “Equipping leaders to plant 5 million dynamic churches.” Over the past five years (2009-2013), we equipped 51,280. Research indicates that each of those churches will plant 2.7 more churches and the total will become 138,456 churches! Our research indicates that ultimately there will be over 6 million new Christians brought to Jesus through those churches!
The Apostle Paul wrote: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Within this short verse there are four attitudes that can make us winners in every event in life, no matter what:
#1: An “I Can Do” It Attitude
Do you find yourself repeatedly thinking of your past mistakes and think you cannot “win”? Have faith.
“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen.” (Hebrews 11:1a TLB)
FAITH is a Biblical word for choosing the right positive attitude.
If you think this is unimportant, consider Hebrews 11:6 which says “And without faith it is impossible to please God…” We MUST cultivate this attitude.
#2: An “I Can Do Everything” Attitude
Everything means everything that is:
Right
Our efforts must be ethical, moral and relatively safe. Make sure God is for you! The best way to know this is to study the Bible.
Everything also means everything that is:
Reasonable
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought; rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” (Romans 12:3b)
Is your goal stretching yet reasonable? I could not reasonably expect to win the US Open this year—I am not a golfer! But I could have faith that I could learn to golf and maybe win a local tournament next year. Have reasonable faith.
#3: An “I can Do Everything Through Him” Attitude
Christians can have a winning attitude because we have the power of God working in us. We also have the wonderful promise that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).
We can be like David who wrote “Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me.” (Psalm 27:3)
We can face difficulties and overcome incredible odds with:
Confidence
Faith
Boldness
Peace
Courage
Expectation
So why not ask God to give you a God-sized vision? Then persevere by continually reviewing the verses in this article and others like them. Ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable to maintain a faith-filled attitude.
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Here I am ready to race (haha) at the starting line in the original Olympic stadium.
#4: An “I Can Do Everything Through Him Who Gives Me Strength” Attitude
God will give you strength like He did for Glenn Cunningham. At age 8 Glenn suffered severe burns from the waist down in a gasoline explosion, which also claimed the life of his older brother. Young Cunningham’s distress resulted in his doctor’s recommendation to amputate his legs. While he and his parents rejected this amputation, the prognosis was that he would certainly never walk again.
Two years later, however, after intense therapy and incredible perseverance, he walked again. Later he was even able to run.
Amazingly Glenn became one of the fastest runners in the world. In 1938, Cunningham set the world record in the 800 meter run and he also set a world record in the indoor mile run of 4:04.4.
Through his ordeal Glenn’s favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Are you facing immense trials? Do what Jesus did and “wait on the Lord” to give you strength. Jesus spent the night before his crucifixion praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed so earnestly that He sweat great drops of blood. His prayer was, “Father, not what I will but your will be done.” The next day, He bore our sins in the unfathomable agony of the cross.
Psalm 46:1 promises that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”
One practical way that I have been able to cultivate a winning attitude is by keeping a daily journal of my blessings. I have listed over 20,000 so far! It has also helped me immensely to realize God’s purposes in suffering which you can read about HERE and HERE.