Many of us started out in life with great plans, but eventually found ourselves in a rut, struggling just to keep up with our circumstances. Success in paying the bills, maintaining the bank account, or even finding a job, is elusive when we try to handle our own affairs. Operating solo, we can make mistakes and fail. However, God is committed to our success; when we rely on Him, we excel beyond our circumstances.

Looking at our current situation and deciding that we’re not successful according to the world’s standards—or our own expectations—is discouraging. Thankfully, God’s standards are different than ours. Letting His Word guide us in everything we do changes a bleak picture and turns things around. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Applying His teachings to our lives gives us a new perspective and allows us to see beyond momentary circumstances.

We may be facing what seems like insurmountable problems that make us feel small and insignificant. At times like this, we must remember that Jesus came to teach us how to lead victorious lives. Our trust in Him to guide us empowers us to rule over situations that once defeated us. With God in our corner, there’s no stopping us. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Trouble can always pop up quickly. We may feel on top of the world one moment, only to have everything collapse around us the next moment. Despite what happens around us, we never have to be afraid when we ally ourselves with God. “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”< (Psalm 118:6).

There will be times when it appears as if all the powerful forces in the universe have lined up against us. Faith that God loves us and wants us to excel reveals that this is just an illusion. The finished works of Jesus Christ have made deliverance from trouble available to us whenever we need it. “So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, AMPC).

God’s will for us includes prosperous, successful, and happy lives. Believing this puts us on a solid rock foundation, and keeps us safe and secure. During His ministry, Jesus used the analogy of a rock to make His point.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:24-27).

When circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, standing on God’s Word gives us strength to succeed.

To learn more on how to achieve excellent results with God’s help, click on the link below for the DVD, Excelling Beyond Your Circumstances.