“Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled.” 1 Peter 1:13 NIV
“Few are ready to give the discipline and effort demanded for success.”
My thoughts today are to “prepare for success.”
Everybody is eager for success and the recognition, reward, and applause that would follow. Only a few will ever realize exceptional achievement however, because only the very few are ready for the discipline and effort that are demanded to succeed.
“Prepare your mind for action.” The road to success is not pretty, nor is it quick or easy. Like so many areas of excellence, the journey begins in your mind. Success is mental before it becomes actual. You have to believe in yourself, in your abilities, in your hard work, and especially in your goal. You prepare your mind, not merely to think, but to act – preparing your mind to clarify and picture your goal, to plot your strategy, to plan your work, to apply yourself to whatever effort, resources, and time as will be necessary to reach your goal.
Success is not achieved merely by some “power of positive thinking,” unless that is accompanied by large doses of good old-fashioned discipline, hard work, and perseverance. You move beyond the mental to the volitional – to engage your will to act and your inner conviction of success. Your want is not powerful enough without your will.
“Prepare . . be self-controlled.” Now comes the essential discipline of self-control. Circumstances are not the primary cause of failure to achieve, though they can be challenging at times. Failure is more often the product of lacking the necessary self-control when you face situations unexpected or adverse. What you do then exposes what you really believe and how much of your self you were willing to give. The prize is great, but the process can be grueling. If you are not strict with yourself – no self-indulgence allowed – you will not endure until reaching your goal.
For the follower of Jesus, such self-control is a unique expression of “the fruit of the Spirit,” which is developed in you as you yield to His leadership and follow His direction. Spirit-control may be a more accurate description, for what I am referring to is not a product of your own inner strength. “When the Holy Spirit controls your life, He will produce . .“ Galatians 5:22-23 NLT. Spirit-control directs and empowers your efforts; self-control keeps you following the Spirit’s direction and applying yourself diligently. Together you can achieve more than you ever could have otherwise.
My prayer for you today is that you will trust God with your life and find His success.