When we think about the challenges and possibilities of our future, it’s easy to ignore our responsibilities while we imagine someone else stepping into our situation and helping us achieve our goals. Hoping that another person will provide what we need or figure out the solutions to our problems is not a substitute for perseverance.
It’s true, there are times when the generosity of others makes a huge difference, but God has given us a sound mind and unlimited potential to be successful if we can only learn how to develop faith in his plans for us. Along with his resources, a critical spiritual principle is to pray and wait until we know we have heard his voice. However, I have also learned there is an important balance where often the Lord is actually waiting on us to believe and take the initiative to press forward.
When we place our trust in him and allow him to change our attitudes into a positive force, that which seems unattainable moves into the area of possibility. Romans 12:2 reveals that we have a responsibility to be transformed by the renewing of our mind in order that we may prove and demonstrate God’s perfect will. We must allow the Lord to change our minds from fear and doubt as learning to believe and trust our heavenly Father is a foundational pillar of the meaning of life. If we focus on being the best we can be for his glory, we will live in joy, but if we doubt and expect the worst, we release the powers of negativity that can stifle our hope. In every situation, we can either respond with a positive confidence or a negative skepticism, and these choices determine whether we live in spiritual peace or emotional misery.
I recently read a story that was told by Hugh Fullerton, a famous sportswriter many years ago. His account involved a man named Josh O’Reilly who managed a San Antonio baseball team that was part of the Texas League. O’Reilly had an impressive roster of all-star players, including seven whose batting average was over 300. Everyone thought this super-team would easily win the championship, but mysteriously they began the season losing 17 of their first 20 games. The players could not hit the ball and, as time went by, frustration boiled over into angry accusations against each other.
Just when it seemed the situation could not be worse, a weak team humiliated them as they managed only one hit the entire game. In the clubhouse after the embarrassment, the players were confused and depressed. O’Reilly knew he had the most talented team in the league but also realized the trouble was in their mind.