How To Be A Winner

May 28, 2017Written Devotionals

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?”   1 Corinthians 9:24       NIV

Do you often feel like a loser in life?   We believe God for something and then when it does not appear to be coming to pass, we get frustrated and give up.  The more that this happens, the less inclined we are to believe the Lord or His Word the next time.  Perhaps we should heed the words of Paul as instructions for how to make ourselves into winners in life.  We cannot just sit back and hope that we will come out on top.  We have to decide to be winners.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul paints an image for us of a runner in a race, and shows us there are four qualities that winners possess.  Do you have these qualities?  If we adopt these qualities and apply them to our real life situations, things that defeated us previously, will soon become victories.

1) Verse 24, “run in such a way as to get the prize.”  The first quality is a full commitment.  To run for the prize and be the winner you must fully extend yourself.  Exert yourself and run so that you may obtain the prize.

2) Verse 25, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”  You have to accept the fact that to win the prize will not be easy.  It takes not only full exertion when you face the trial, but you have to prepare in advance.  Build yourself up in the Word and faith beforehand.  If you wait until the race begins to start building yourself up you will not be prepared or strong enough to run and win.

3) Verse 26, “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly,…”  Winners have a goal and a direction and they do not deviate from it.  Have the goal in mind and do not let anything distract you from it.

4) Verse 27, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave…”  The runner that is going to win the race disciplines his body and makes his body conform to his desires.  To win in life we need to be diligent and consistent in our self-control and self-mastery.

You can be a winner in life and in the specific things that you face today.  Adopt the four qualities of a winner and others will observe that you are a consistent victor.

J Todd Hostetler

www.cityonahillTC.org

 

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