Wkly Devotional

The Psychology of Victory

Have you ever wondered what distinctive factors separate those who are quite successful from their counterparts?  Well, it largely has to do with the individual’s mind-set.  In other words, how we think in approaching a goal will impact our results.  There is then, a psychology to victory.   Charles Swindoll wrote: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”  Too often our lack of victory or success has more to do with how we respond to life’s pressures than the pressure itself.

Consider the events of Israel’s march to the promise land.  When Moses sent 12 spies to scout out the land, only Caleb and Joshua returned with a good report.  Caleb said of the land, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to possess it.   (Numbers 13:30)  The dissenting spies countered by saying, “We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” (Numbers 13:31)  The congregation of Israel followed the dissenting opinion because their comments engendered an overwhelming fear.  Of course, the end result was a failure of the faithless generation to enter the promise–leading to defeat.

How do we avoid such defeat?  First, always seek the Lord for an answer on what goals to pursue.  Secondly, ask God to show you how to accomplish your goals. Thirdly, avoid Israel’s mistake of giving more weight to the 10% than the 90% because ultimately, God is in the 90%.  (If God be for us, who can be against us?–Romans 8:31b)