5 Simple Ways You Can Be An Overcomer

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Have you ever looked at someone and thought “Wow, they make that look so easy.” ? I surely have. My 11 year old daughter makes gymnastics look like a breeze. She flips and turns and jumps with both grace and strength. She is naturally gifted in this area and I watch in awe.

Identifying the gifts of others is fairly easy. But whenever we see someone who has navigated a dark path in life and yet joy radiates from them, it’s a little tougher to identify this special gift.

What makes them appear to be especially empowered?

How did they manage to make it through the difficult days?

It would seem that there are huge secrets they aren’t sharing with anyone else.

Between watching the lives of suffering friends and family, and traveling through murky waters myself, I think there are a few things anyone can do to be an overcomer. No special gifts required. I truly believe anyone who calls Jesus their Savior has the power to win over any obstacle! But we need a few practical ideas to understand how to keep going, especially during difficult times. Today I wanted to share 5 simple ways you can be an overcomer.

1. Recognize the season of life you’re in.

To everything there is a season and time. I’ve heard the “preacher” echo these words from the book of Ecclesiastes, but I failed to take them to heart. You thought that adding one more project to your list wasn’t too much, but then your child stayed home sick two days and needed care. (just happened to me last week!) There will always be factors outside of our control that accompany our season of life. When I had 4 kids and 3 in diapers? Different season. I don’t know your specific details, but whatever your life stage, daily schedule requirements, etc., acknowledge them and recognize the limitations they impose. These “obstacles” will graduate in time.

2. Refuse to allow Satan to win the battle inside your head.

He whispers that you can’t do this. That you aren’t good enough, smart enough, and no one will like you or appreciate your work. He lies. He started that habit way back in the garden of Eden and he’s never stopped telling God’s people that they cannot- when they CAN.

When my mind streams with negativity and I feel myself being pulled under, I yell for the strongest help I possibly can and it’s one word- Jesus. Jesus, how we need you, how we long for your strength to fill us. Satan can’t handle sticking around when Jesus is present.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

3. Release your fears to Jesus.

After you’ve called to him, give him those fears. Especially the fear of failure. You want to be an overcomer, yet all you feel is overwhelmed? Give the spirit of “This is too much” to Jesus. It is NOT too much for him. He will provide exactly what you need when you need it. There is no need to be afraid. (Ya’ll, I am preaching to myself right now.)

4. Renew yourself through rest and refilling.

Last week, a friend and I were texting and she mentioned how tired she was. Oh, I wish I could take you through my typical day. I get it, Sister. She was tired and is tired. I truly understand. But guess what? No one can choose to fill her except herself. No one can say “I’m sorry, but I need to say no” for her. No one can choose my schedule for me either. No one else can choose to rest for me. My husband will often say “Take a break, Honey.” Obviously I love it when he tells me to do that, because I know I need to do it. But I still have to choose to rest and refill. You too. No matter how crazy your circumstances, pause and pray. Find a tool that helps you refill and use it. I can’t tell you how much Bible journaling is refilling my heart and soul right now! Maybe your tool is baking. Or reading. Or writing. Whatever it is, take the time to refill.

5. Reach towards the goal one step at a time.

A few days ago, my 4 year old tried to hop across a big rain puddle. Key word=tried. She didn’t make it and wound up walking around the store with the bottoms of her pants a little drippy. You know why she fell in the water? Her expectation of her own ability was too high.

Now I’m proud of her for trying! I’m really glad she didn’t sit down on the curb and cry. No, she just giggled and kept on going. BUT, maybe she could have broken that huge hop down into a smaller effort. She could have asked me to hold her hand and I would have made sure she landed well. She could have chosen to jump across on the more narrow part of the puddle.

Consistent movement in the present is what propels us toward the future. – One More Step

Let’s not worry about jumping the whole puddle and instead, focus on

one

more

step.

Which of these 5 tips is your one step today?

By his grace,

Rachel