The Power of Words
The Power of Words — By Lynette Hagin
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be Like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” -Isaiah 58:11 (NIV 1984)
Last month I wrote in this column about one of the most important keys to becoming a success in life. That is, we are to do as God commanded Joshua after the death of Moses. We are to “study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8 NLT).
I want to continue looking this month at living a successful life. God has a purpose for each of us. He has a plan for our lives. Romans 12:1–2 (NLT) says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
If we are going to live in the success God has promised, then it is important to walk in His perfect will. God has a perfect plan for our lives. I want to live in His perfect will. How about you? God has a specific and special course for each one of us—one filled with joy and victory. However, that does not mean His course will be free of adversity and hard work.
You may have visions, dreams, and goals, and they may motivate you. They may even give you purpose and direction for a time. But only God’s unique purpose for you will bring you the ultimate satisfaction that we all desire.
As I have said before, I have been a Christian my entire life. I have always desired to live and work for Him. I knew that I was called into the ministry. However, I decided to formulate my own plan as to what God would have me do. I was leaning to my own understanding instead of allowing Him to direct my life.
I would pray, “Lord, I’ll do what You want me to do. I’ll go where You want me to go.” I didn’t realize that God might ask me to do what I didn’t want to do and go where I didn’t want to go. I thought I was totally committed to Him and was placing my life in His hands. But the day came when He asked me to do something I didn’t want to do and go somewhere I didn’t want to go. Then, and only then, did I learn the meaning of the words commitment and trust.
I realized then that to walk in God’s perfect plan for my life, I would have to say as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Lord, not my will but Thine be done. Lord, I put my plans, dreams, and desires on the shelf. I will follow Your plans, dreams, desires, and will for my life.”
Was that easy? Absolutely not! However, you will find that when you submit to His will, suddenly your desires, dreams, and plans will line up with His desires, dreams, and plans for you.
As you follow God’s plan, it is important that you believe you can accomplish it. In the natural you may have low self-esteem. You may have been told as a child, “You’ll never amount to anything. You’ll be nothing but a failure.” Those words may still be ringing in your ears. You hear them every time you attempt to move forward with God’s purpose and plan.
Don’t let the enemy deceive you. It is time to shake that negative influence out of your life and see yourself as God sees you. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” God made you just the way you are. He believed in His creation; therefore, you need to do the same. Remember, God never created a failure. If you will commit to follow the instructions He has given you in His Word, and commit to follow His perfect will for you, your life will be fulfilling, prosperous, and successful.