How to Discover Success

For the purpose of today’s teaching I would like you to picture success as a hidden treasure, and therefore, you’ll need to find certain things that will lead you to where it’s buried. Here are seven things you must find in order to discover success:

[1] FIND A VISION. In Habakkuk 2:2, 3 the Lord says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time…. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come to pass.” You cannot run your race unless you have a strategy! Document and preserve your vision. Keep a record of those things that the Lord has spoken to your heart, and hold fast to them, knowing they will come to pass.

You must also clearly define a specific goal you want to achieve – short term! Concentrate on one priority at a time. The apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do… I press toward the mark” [Philippians 3:13, 14]. Then after you’ve clearly defined your immediate goal become single-minded, “A double minded man is unstable” [James 1:8]. A single-minded person is a determined person, one who is bent on achieving his aims.

[2] FIND DIRECTION. In 1 Corinthians 9:26 Paul said, “I run thus; not with uncertainty. Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air.” Paul was certain about what he wanted to achieve and he had a specific goal in mind. Clear direction will provide you with clear opportunities. Set your mind to spot the right opportunities, people and ideas that mark the road to your success. Start off by charting a particular course with some attainable deadlines. And remember, desire drives everything, so do what you enjoy and what gives you most pleasure. If you take this advice, you’ll be able to exploit the present – to create a successful future.

[3] FIND DISCUSSION. Discussion is healthy, but it must be with the right people - and it shouldn’t contain slander or bad conversation. Before you open meaningful discussion with others, communicate with God in prayer. Correct communication with God (in prayer) creates an environment where success is inevitable. 2 Chronicles 26:5, “As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.” Mark 11:24 declares, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

[4] FIND DISCIPLINE. The key to victory, power and reward in every aspect of life is personal discipline. A productive life is not an accident. Almost without exception, winners are successful because of their discipline. It gives birth to successful habits! In Corinthians 9:27 Paul said this, “I keep under my body and bring it into submission.”

There are probably several areas of your life that need to be disciplined - brought into submission - the most conspicuous being your conversation. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” [Proverbs 18:21].

Never speak words that make satan think he is winning! Speak always in positive terms concerning yourself and others. Avoid all negative words and give praise where ever necessary. Remember this, a bad mouth creates a bad habit, and bad habits can destroy your future.

Men do not really decide their future, they decide their habits! It’s their habits that decide their future - whether good or bad! You will never reach your full potential until your priorities have become habitual. Developing your skills is a priority that must become habitual. And remember this; to be skilful you must become an industrious ‘self-improver’ in your personal behaviour and development.

[5] FIND A TEAM. Your destiny is locked up in those people who God has strategically placed around you. Acknowledge that you cannot succeed without their help, and co-operate with them. It is very likely that these people have gifts and abilities that will complement yours! Place your trust first in God but then trust in teamwork. Draw strength from and rely upon other team members, while supporting and inspiring them in turn. Remove all barriers between yourself and the team. This will maintain trust and develop respect and honesty; making the impossible possible! God’s word says, “One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight” [Deuteronomy 32:30]. Your team has great power! Learn to draw energy from each other.

[6] FIND COURAGE. It takes courage to sustain success. This means, you have counted the cost and are prepared to pay the price! In Joshua chapter one, when God commissioned the young man to ascend to the highest summit of his life, three times God says, “Be strong and courageous!” Victories are won, and defeats are suffered, so you think victory at all times! Courageous people are usually confident people, so create a climate of confidence in every circumstance. Isaiah 30:15 declares, “…Confidence shall be your strength.” Hebrews 10:35 says, “Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.” Your confidence will be rewarded if you tough it out!

[7] FIND ENDURANCE. Never let up! Champions simply make an extra attempt! Endurance is a necessity; you cannot stay the course without it. The Bible says that you have great need of endurance [Hebrew 10:36]. Endurance is ‘the capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with passive complacency, but with a hope-filled fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat’.

Endurance helps you to keep right on to the very end of the road - and then beyond! Because, after you have reached this summit there will be other summits to climb. When told that there is something too difficult, or even impossible to attain, think “for you maybe” but not necessarily for me… “…if God be for me, who can be against me?” “Nothing is impossible for God.” And remember, if God cushioned every blow, you would never learn to grow! So keep on trying no matter what!

Chris Demetriou, 14/10/2007