The other day I heard Dr Mike Murdock make a statement that made me stop and think once again. In essence he said:

It is always good to be reminded of things we may have already learned, but perhaps need to spend a little more time putting into action. After all:

Let’s take some time to put this truth into action today.

Have you ever gone through a time in your life when you have had to endure pain or physical discomfort? Then you know that your mind will tend to adjust to the pain or discomfort in order to cope with the situation.

Danger:
However, there is a danger with this If you allow your mind to adjust completely you can even come to a place where the pain is so much a part of your life that you not be able to imagine life without it.

What happened?

The same can happen during times of financial difficulties.

Let’s take a quick look at a very common scenario to see how your mind may work in a financial crisis:

You are driving down the street in your older model car which is starting to fail a little. Next thing the red engine light comes on. In a flash your thoughts react:

Oh no, I can’t afford this right now — or
Well it will just have to wait .. etc.

You get the picture? Now these statements may be the reality of the moment, BUT when you allow your mind to focus in this direction what is happening?

• Every time you focus on the thought of lack, you strengthen the mindset of fear (oh no, I can’t afford this to happen right now).
• Every time you allow yourself to adjust to a lack (it will just have to wait), your chances of overcoming it move further away from you.

Now this does not mean that you are going to live in denial.
Neither does it mean that you are going to live in anger or frustration until you achieve what you want. Absolutely not.

• What it DOES mean is that it you are going to change the way you deal with pain or lack.
• You are going to retrain your mind to face this present reality with FAITH. Faith does not deny facts. Faith faces the present reality, but at the same time can see beyond the present to the victory over the situation. The Bible expresses this by saying: Faith is the substances of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1)
• You are going to focus on thinking of creative ways to overcome any obstacle you may be facing.

The big key: what is your decision?

• Every success story starts with a decision.
• Every miracle starts with a decision. Yes, God IS a miracle working God but as you read the Bible you will discover that He works with FAITH.
• You have to DECIDE to believe first.
• Faith begins with a decision – a decision to change your focus.

So what is the challenge for today?
How exactly CAN you make sure you are focusing on conquering and not on coping (or adjusting)?

1. Make a decision to become alert to HOW you deal with any unmet needs or lacks in your life. How are you reacting?
2. Listen to yourself. What WORDS are you using?
3. Now turn these words around to FAITH words.

For example: Instead of thinking: “Oh no, I can’t afford to fix that right now”

Think: God is pouring creative ideas and solutions on me. God is for me, not against me. I am focusing on His abundance.

Of course it is always easier to focus on positive words and solutions when you are following the daily habit of reading the Bible and other great motivational books!

Resources:
Coping or Conquering – Which Are You Doing?
Dr Mike Murdock Wisdom Online
Photo credit San Malo Conquered by alexmasters on Flickr.