Ethan Moore of Mississippi, USA, in defining success, said: “That person is successful who finds what God intended for him to do with his life, prepares himself to do it, and does it daily to the best of his ability.” Success is doing the things you know you should do. Success is not limited to any one area of your life. It encompasses all facets of your relationships – as a spouse, parent, friend, neighbor, and worker.
Consider the major seven areas of life – physical, mental, spiritual, family, finances, social and career. There is a need for balance in these areas of life in order to enjoy a successful life. Each aspect of your life must be continually examined. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” You must dream about the person you want to be in each of these categories and not let circumstances interfere with your dreams.
Analyze your needs and wants in each of these areas. Remember that your needs could be God’s way of telling you He has something good waiting for you in that area. What would you like to see changed? Romans 4:17(NKJV) says, “…God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
As God gave Abraham the visions and dreams of becoming the father of many nations, he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief (or circumstances, as he was already 99 years old); but he was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Abraham’s area of need was for a legitimate heir, a son. What is your own area of need? Do not look at the present circumstances and allow them to dictate your level of faith and hope.
Success is discovering your best talents, skills, and abilities and applying them where they will make the most effective contribution to your fellow men and women. It is doing what you do well and doing well whatever you do.
Success is also not confined to any one part of your personality but is related to the development of all parts: spirit, soul, and body. It is making the most of your total self. God wants to impart wisdom to your life. He wants you to live according to His own wisdom and is waiting for you to ask. With God’s wisdom, your mind will be filled to overflowing with ideas and insights for your personal life, family, business, and other areas of your life.
You can know the will of God. Many of us believe that God has a will for our lives. We believe He has a divine purpose, plan, and desire for every human life; but we are unsure how to discover His will. Having God’s wisdom makes you know His will. It knows what God desires you to do about every situation or circumstance, as it arises. As you know and act on what you know to be God’s wisdom, the will of God, His plans, purposes, directions, and desires for you will unfold. Proverbs 10: 24(NKJV) says, “…And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.”
Wisdom is the ability to discern what’s right from what’s wrong. It is the gift that gives us the capacity to make the right choice or decision. If knowledge is power, then wisdom is using that power the right way.
1 Corinthians 1:24(NKJV) says,”…but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Christ is the power, the only way we can be saved. Knowing Christ personally is the greatest wisdom anyone could have.
You must admit that you don’t know and then humbly ask God. The Bible says we are to come to God as children. Children do not hesitate to say they don’t know. They are not ashamed of saying so. Don’t be arrogant and pretend that you know.
In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, woke up one morning in Jerusalem to find that he was completely surrounded by his enemies – the people of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir. He prayed, concluding: “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles. 20:12).
The leader and most powerful person, the king himself, humbled himself, confessed his ignorance, and declared his weakness and total dependence on God. And God miraculously answered his prayers.
