THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS

How are you handling the challenges and difficulties of life? Do you have a sense of being weak and defeated? Have you determined that the problem is greater than your ability? When talking to the Philippians, Paul said he had “learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation” (Philippians 4:12 Amplified) and facing it with success. What was the secret?

In a bold statement, Paul confirms, “I can do all things (which He has called me to do) through Him who strengthens and empowers me (to fulfill His purpose; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace)” (Philippians 4:13 Amplified). Paul confirmed that he was equipped for every challenge, problem, trial, or difficulty. He was prepared by the immeasurable and unlimited power of God, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19). Through Jesus, God triumphed over all the hostility from the devil that was against us; Jesus killed it by His finished work of the cross (Ephesians 2:16). What died on the cross? Jesus died as He bore and triumphed over sickness, disease, worry, frustration, anxiety, depression, and confusion, over guilt and condemnation… Jesus triumphed over all death; all “principalities and powers that were ranged against us” (Colossians 2:15 Amplified). We are instructed as we consider these truths, to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6)! He destroyed everything that could separate you from God and gave you the victory of His authority over the works of the devil.

As a believer, you now have the authority of Jesus Christ, His name, and resurrection power from the Father. Nothing dealing with the works of the enemy should rule you, but you are positioned in Jesus to rule over them. This was part of the revelation knowledge that Paul understood. Jesus' finished work of the cross provided a benefit to him, as it does for every born-again believer, empowering him, and making him able to meet every challenge. Did he do it successfully each time? He did not. Paul confirmed that he had not reached that place of perfection, but he was on a journey of gaining understanding and fully experiencing the glory of God in his life (Philippians 3:12,13). But he had a revelation of God’s provision that strengthened him to meet life’s challenges. He demonstrated that he was fully persuaded by Jesus, by His Word, and was totally dependent on Him and His sufficiency. Paul implies by this knowledge that he did not magnify the problem as greater than God, but he magnified God’s ability within him while faced with many problems. This equipped him for success. And this is our success. It is our victory in Jesus Christ and part of our inheritance.

Understanding that Christ’s presence within you provides extraordinary ability beyond your humanity, establishes a confident peace. This is a peace generated from trusting the One Who has established victory by the finished work of the cross. It is peace because of the revelation that you are loved unconditionally by God Almighty Who sees you as His highly favored child; nothing you do will alter His love for you. He was delighted to sacrifice His own Son because of the joyful result of the sacrifice; having you for His son or daughter! This love, so extraordinary for you, is the basis of His provision for you. God Almighty desired that you would be complete in Him, sharing all that He is, including His ability to meet the challenges of life. God established that victory through Jesus, intending for you to participate in the blessing by grace, a gift of His love for you, a gift already prepared to be received by believing in Him.

There is nothing in life that should overtake you. God’s power within you is greater than anything that could possibly come against you no matter how threatening it looks or the emotional experience you may have. Being in expectation of the outcome according to the Word of God will provide hope. Your expectation should line up with God’s strength, His peace, and His ability within you. You possess His Holy Spirit; His presence is within you. Jesus is infusing inner strength into you right now! You have His strength to meet every challenge, and He has already proved what His strength is capable of accomplishing. Trust Him as He continues His work in and through you!