Some of us are just too good at expecting failure.  If you’re conjuring up a future that hasn’t even happened yet, and exaggerating the worst possible scenario, it’s no wonder you’re stressed.

Wouldn’t it be great if we were able to do the opposite?  Like, what if we imagined having success in advance instead of failure?  What if we got good at visualizing the best possible outcomes before they happen?

Throughout the Scripture, God was always trying to get His people to see the possibilities instead of the problems.  Whether it was a Red Sea, enemy forces, sickness or even death, God imagines what could be a good outcome.

Picturing the desired results and announcing it is an effective way to push yourself toward that action.  Sure, it’s scary to step out in faith, but it’s even worse to sit back and turn into a complainer who claims everyone gets all the breaks.

If you expect rejection, it’s a lot easier to live a mediocre life. But, who wants to live with that strategy? Better to attempt making it great now rather than mourn failure later.

Get out there and attempt something great for God and let your friends notice who’s expecting now.

Why do people get funny when it comes to discussing their money?

Talk about marriage and people are anxious to hear.

Talk about faith and people are willing to grow.

Talk about overcoming and people are running to listen.

BUT, talk about money – and some people start looking for reasons to not make it to church.  Some even quit attending a church when they are talking about money.  They don’t always tell you that it’s the reason.  Then, when the next church starts talking about money (the nerve), they leave it and keep repeating the cycle.  Why is that?  What is the problem?

Here’s a few thoughts:

• These people would not like to listen to Jesus teach, because He taught about money and finances a lot!  He talked about it more than heaven, hell, healing, deliverance, or just about anything else.  It’s like He knew it was a sore spot!
• All of us are selfish by nature and want to keep what we think is ours – ours.  We want to do with our money what we wish and don’t want to feel guilty about that.
• We don’t know that God owns it all and we are just managers.  (See Jesus teachings on the shrewd manager)
• We don’t understand how rich we are.  (visit www.GlobalRichList.com to see how rich you really are)
• Some of us run from the very thing that could help us (like the rich young ruler Matt. 19).

The day you and I find out how rich and blessed we are is a great day, because we can learn how to be a greater blessing to others.  Don’t allow yourself to run from a message that can help you be good at being rich, instead run to it and become all God wants you to be.

Here’s just one promise for putting this into practice:  “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”  (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Let’s bring about more thanksgiving to God!

Yesterday I was praying with someone in the hospital who was about to undergo brain surgery.  We both agreed that the mind is the most amazing computer on the planet.  It helps us feel, taste, breathe through the night, speak, and reason, just to name a few.

But, much like a computer, the way that it is programmed determines everything.  Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.”  However, the reason we don’t live this way is we’ve allowed viruses to contaminate our mental computer.  Sometimes it comes in the form of bad memories of abuse, how we were reared and times of loss.

I’ve found that our thoughts are the operating system of our brain and when it’s damaged, we can’t expect abundant life.  Instead of leaving our mind to dwell on wrong data, we must program it with what God says about us.  Don’t let your mind be infected anymore.  Starting today, get your mind full of God’s words of victory and I believe you’ll feel different, act more alive, and look forward to tomorrow.

I usually tweet out a positive verse each day, so if you’re on Twitter, feel free to follow me and meditate on at least one Scripture a day: @ecraigwhite.  It also reposts to my Facebook account if that works better for you.  In addition, get into the Word yourself and download the statements of faith you come across until your mind is filled.

A couple weeks ago I spoke from the passage in 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh” and I still can’t get away from it.  I just think in a culture where we want to be able to take a pill and be skinny, shoot serum in our face to rid wrinkles, and get our groceries delivered; it’s difficult when things just won’t change overnight.  We want things instantly and when it doesn’t work that way, we often want out.

Paul wanted out of his situation, but instead of fixing it, God offers His grace to compensate.  Are we okay with that?  I mean, if God doesn’t fix your condition and offers grace and strength instead, are you ready to run to someone else?

Let’s get real; if God doesn’t give you a good boyfriend soon are you ready to hook up with any guy who comes along?  If He doesn’t fix your spouse soon, do you have the attorney on speed dial?  If He doesn’t give you that job, are you ready to walk out of church and give up on God?

What losers we are when we do this.  We lose out on experiencing strength in our weakness, grace in the midst of our turmoil and a sense of His presence that is only known in times of pain, hurt and heartache.

I know that God promising grace and strength might not be the answer you’re looking for, but it is enough to see you through.

Have you had great times with God in the hour of crisis, loss or loneliness?