Think and Grow WiseSample

In the film Rudy, Sean Astin plays Rudy Ruettiger, a kid who grows up in the southern suburbs of Chicago and who idolizes Notre Dame football. Their whole family gathers every weekend to watch the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

It was during these weekend moments of watching Notre Dame that Rudy’s dream was forged. Rudy decides he wants to go to college and play football at Notre Dame. However, when Rudy begins to share his dream (much like Joseph in the book of Genesis), he was met with disdain and rejection.

On the outside, Rudy was small. He was undersized to play college football. He was good but didn’t have the speed necessary for college football. Looking from the outside, you would think Rudy was out of touch with reality.

What Rudy did have was belief. He believed with all his heart, mind, and soul he would attend Notre Dame and play football. In the end, he outlasted his critics and played football for the University of Notre Dame.

#2 is Belief.

Belief is the starter for everything. What you believe is what you will become.

You may read this statement and nod your head in agreement, but have you really taken time with yourself to become aware of what you believe?

What do you actually believe about your life?

What do you believe about your dreams?

What do you believe about your gifts and talents?

What do you believe about eternity?

What do you believe about the person you want to become?

When I think about belief, I’m reminded of the story in the Bible of the woman who had a hemorrhage for 12 years.

'Then a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the [tassel] fringe of His outer robe; for she had been saying to herself, “If I only touch His outer robe, I will be healed.” ' Matthew 9:20-21

During this time, a woman who was suffering from this sort of illness would not be allowed to be around people. In fact, she was in danger of being stoned to death.

Imagine yourself in her shoes.

She was so desperate. She had tried everything. She had used up all her money on doctors trying to get healed.

She was facing the question, “do I die with this hemorrhage, or do I die by being stoned to death?”

She had to believe her life was going to be different. Even though she had tried every method of healing, she had to believe there was still another option for her.

If you want to Think and Grow Wise, you must include the right ingredients. Belief is one of these key ingredients.

Think about Noah and the ark. Noah had to believe God was going to bring rain. Rain was not common. He had to actually believe in what God was capable of doing.

What about Abraham?

God told him he would be the father of many nations, but he had no sons. Abraham had to first believe in what God was saying to him. He had to consciously take action on this belief for it to happen.

Let’s break down belief into practical steps for you.

If you take the time to reflect and dig deep into these questions, you can go from thinking about beliefs to taking action on your beliefs.

What do you want or need to get clear about in your life? What is God speaking to you when you are committed to Him?

What are you willing to commit to attaining? Abraham was willing to do whatever it took. Jesus sacrificed his life. The apostle Paul went to prison.

What is the date when you want to achieve it?

What is the plan you are creating to make it happen? (Habakkuk 2:2, And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it)

Can you write out what you want in a clear, concise sentence? Example: I will commit an hour every day to the Lord and will have peace, love, joy, and abundance every day of my life.

I love what Dr. Ivan Joseph has to say about building confidence, “repetition, repetition, repetition.”

When you begin to Think and Grow Wise, it’s going to take repetition. It takes practice. It takes a molding of your heart, mind, and mouth.

You have to reprogram your life, and this requires an immense amount of effort. One of the most impactful ways you can do this is through your words.

Remember Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

In Genesis 1:3, “And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

God used words to speak the world into existence. Just think about that for a second. Then imagine what it looks like to speak power and life into your situation.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

God is in you and at work. The same power He used to form the world is in you.

The question is, do you believe it? Will you act upon it, or will you allow your flesh (or ego) to discredit it?

Let me know what resonated with you the most.

I’m rooting for you.

I’m praying with you.

God bless.

Coach Anthony Thompson