Discover the 5 Ways to Succeed in Life and Thrive

I heard a message on Jabez the other day and as I was listening to the passage of scripture the Lord opened my eyes to see that these two small verses hold the key to success if only we will pay attention to them. Allow me to share with you how the 5 Ways to Succeed in Life and to Thrive.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,[a] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.(Source)

1. Honor God

In the midst of the genealogies, we find a man by the name of of Jabez. Because he was born in pain, his mother gave him the name of Jabez. His mother tagged him as a living reminder of the deep sorrow that she had to endure. In spite of his heritage of pain and sorrow, in spite of the names he was called, Jabez lived a life more honorable than his brothers. God called Jabez to be extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary and mundane things of life. How was Jabez able to recognize that he was extraordinary and set apart? He honored God and God revealed his purpose to him.

2. Pray

Jabez cried out to God and asked God to do two things for him. He asked God to 1) bless him and enlarge his territory and 2) keep him free from harm so that he could live “free of pain”. Jabez had a relationship with God and was not afraid to make his requests known to him. We should never be afraid to talk to God and to pray to him.

3. Accept the Challenges

They say with great power comes great responsibility. I believe that Jabez knew when he asked God to “enlarge his territory” that great responsibility would come with that. Rather than run from the responsibility and try to blend in with the ordinary, Jabez accepted the challenge he knew the Lord had set before him. Jabez set out to fulfill the calling of God and be extraordinary.

4. Do Not Fear the Resistance

Jabez had asked the Lord to “keep him from harm” so that he could live “free from pain”. He asked God to protect him from the evil that surrounded him. The evil that he lived in grieved his heart and I believe that it made him think of giving up and not doing the work of the Lord anymore. The good news is that Jabez had the Lord on his side. The Bible says that if God before us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? The Bible also says that we can find refuge and safety under his wings (Psalm 91:4). You may be doing the work of the Lord and feel like you are being attacked on every side but know this, greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. God will be your shield if you will let him.

5. Be Strong

As you honor God, talk with God, fulfill his purpose on your life, and do the work he has called you to do, stay strong. Ephesians 6:10 encourages us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. Remember that it is not what you do but it is what God does through you. His spirit and his strength make all the difference. Lean on him and you will accomplish what it is you set out to do.

If you honor God, talk with him, work for him, and commit to never give up no matter what the devil throws your way, then you will succeed in life. Don’t be afraid to pray and ask God to help you follow these 5 ways to succeed in life. He is faithful and he will help you if you will let him.

A Song for You

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