Think Like A Champion! Run to Win!

Life & running a race parallel one another. A runner trains, disciplines their body & enters a race to win. We also need to do the same with an intent to win in every area of our lives. (marriage, finances, parenting,faith, etc.)
By: Domingo Reyes
 
Dec. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Visit http://www.inspirationalchatter.com for the entire post and many other posts.

I hear people say all the time that it's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. While I believe there is truth in that, I am sure that if polled most people would confess that they would rather be on a winning team.

I have played sports since my youth and I have never walked away after a loss feeling great about losing. Please don't get me wrong, I understand losing is part of life; it's just that I would rather win than lose.

I want to win:

- Win as it relates to my marriage
- Win as it relates to my finances
- Win as it relates to my children
- Win as it relates to my faith


In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Paul parallels the Christian life and a race.


1Cr 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1Cr 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
I believe the two relate very well because of the following:

1.) They are both run with others yet prizes are awarded individually.
2.) It is a sport that demands intense training, often repeating the same things over and over until you build stamina.

3.) There is great self fulfillment in finishing the race.
4.) There is a start and a finish
5.) In both you will get tired and you must learn to respond correctly and run through the pain, doubts, weariness, etc.

As stated, I want to win in every are of my life and I want you to be the winner God has created you to be. So I want to share with you some ideas by which you can think and run in a way that will enable you to win!!

Run with Champs Not Chumps

There is a saying which goes, "If you run with dogs you will catch fleas."

In other words you will catch what those whom you surround yourself with have.

If you surround yourself with people with great vision, determination, positive energy, ambition, etc. their traits will inspire, motivate, and stimulate you to positive action.

However, if you surround yourself with people without these traits it will effect you and limit your potential. I warn people to be very careful who they allow into their inner circle. Be careful who you take advice from and to who you pour your heart out to.  

I place people most people in two categories:



Toxic and Nourishing people


You can identify toxic people in your life in a number of ways.

Toxic people love to gossip and especially love to share bad news about others. They are often hyper critical that is they criticize anything and anyone they can. Toxic people do not rejoice in others good fortune (including yours) instead they rejoice in the misfortune of others.

Toxic people are dream killers, joy thieves, and dream crushers whose toxicity isn't satisfied with being limited to themselves. No they want to share it with others and poison other souls. Watch out for toxic people!

- Toxic people will slow you down
- Toxic people will give you a pessimistic outlook on life
- Toxic people will place doubts in your mind
- Toxic people will hold you back!! And since they won't succeed they won't let you either!

BEWARE.. BEWARE.. BEWARE.. (Did I mention...BEWARE!!!)


Nourishing People, on the other hand, are people who add value to your life. They listen and encourage you, admonish you out of love and rejoice in your success. They cry when you cry, hurt when you hurt and they lift your spirits and challenge you. Nourishing people feed your soul and encourage you to do more, think greater thoughts, to try harder and to be all you can be.




Run With Purpose




1Cr 9:26  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 1Cr 9:27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.


If we are going to be winners in any area of our lives we have to run with vision and purpose.

In the text above Paul states that he isn't running without a clear purpose. He is not like fighting like a boxer who only throws haymakers. No, he is calculated, intentional on where he is going, why he is going, and he understands the importance of the sacrifices he is making.

Too often we jump into things without a clear picture of what it will take to accomplish it and without the passion to sustain the tough times that are will inevitable follow.

My suggestion is to get a plan and organize a strategy to making the most out of life.

Strengthening our spiritual walk with God does not happen by accident. It happens when we decide to go to church, bible study, fellowships, etc. It happens when we are intentional on when we will study, pray, how much we will give and how often we will serve. When we have a plan it helps us to stay on track and remain focused.

This holds true in every area of our lives. We must plan on the type of parents we want to be, the type of husband or wife, etc.

There is a saying which states, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."  



Run to Win


1Cr 9:26  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 1Cr 9:27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.



As I stated earlier I like to win. I want to win as it relates to the quality of my life now and the destination in the life that is to come. Paul says that he trains and disciplines himself in such a way that he is not only helping others but also helping himself. It is amazing how skilled we are in giving others great, sound, and accurate advice to others yet do not heed that same advice for our own lives. Paul is in a sense  saying, "I can not help others to win and become disqualified myself!"

If we are to win it is going to take training, discipline, surrounding yourself with the right people, planning and proper implementation.

I want to be a winner!! Go ahead say it, "I want to be a winner!!"

- I want to Win the game of life !!
- I want to have meaningful relationships with God and others !!
- I want to win as a Husband, Wife and/or Parent
- I want to Win as a Christian
- I want to Win in every aspect of my life

And more importantly I want to Win by hearing the greatest word that I will ever hear.

Matt 25:23 ...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

May God Give You The Strength To Win!!
D. Reyes http://www.inspirationalchatter.com

# # #

Inspirational Christian Chatter is a blog that serves to educate, motivate and inform the Christian community.
End
Source:Domingo Reyes
Email:***@comcast.net Email Verified
Zip:19720
Tags:Christian, Motivational, Inspirational, Winning, Faith
Industry:Religion
Location:New Castle - Delaware - United States
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
Page Updated Last on: Dec 10, 2011



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share