A Key Scripture Verse that WILL make you an Overcomer in the New Year

Can you believe it??  The New Year is here!  A time when resolutions are set and goals are made.  For many of us, the New Year brings with it hope that THIS will be the year we will overcome whatever area of struggle we have that seems to be on repeat...

Dictionary.com gives the following definition of the word overcomer:

to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat: to overcome the enemy. to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.); surmount: to overcome one's weaknesses. 

As I read the above definition, several words and phrases jump out at me...

CONQUER

DEFEAT

OVERCOME THE ENEMY

Sound familiar??

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, 

He Himself likewise also partook of the same, 

that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, 

that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:14

For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 

The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

1 Corinthians 15:25-26

Jesus has ALREADY overcome,  for us, ALL that we struggle with!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

So why then do we find it difficult to overcome struggles in our own lives with all that has been given to us in Christ Jesus?

I believe that the following verse, put into wholehearted practice, is the key for becoming an overcomer in the New Year and every year after that.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

 In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6  ESV

I love how the amplified version breaks this verse out further...

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart

And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,

And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

An Overcomer Relies Confidently on the Lord

The Bible is filled from cover to cover with confidence boosting stories of God and His mighty works; accounts of His patience and great love; and most especially chronicles of God as Savior, not just at the moment of acceptance, but a Saving grace that weaves throughout every day of His children's lives.

But too often you are not overcoming temptation or an area of struggle in your life because these Truths are forgotten.  You operate either in your own selfish desire or your own abilities. 

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, having placed your confidence in His death on the cross as a sacrifice for your sins, and NOT in your own works, to receive eternal life, there is no hope for overcoming in that state...

But there is HOPE for you still...

 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one 

who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, 

and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 

I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Revelation 3:5

As Believers, although our names are secure in the Book of Life, we too can stumble in not relying confidently on the Lord, but walking in our own selfish desires.  Even though we are born again, new creations in Christ Jesus, the old man can rear it's ugly head through self.

When our focus is on ourselves and ourselves alone, we are putting confidence in our desires and trusting in OUR ability to accomplish them.  Well that sounds like a recipe for failure!  And not only that!  We are relying confidently on ourselves in life's situations, temptations and struggles, rather than seeking to overcome in the Lord's power and strength.   We are essentially saying, "I'm the Lord of my life here".  "I've got this."  I think that is the silliest thing I've typed out on this blog to date.  Sobering words that unfortunately are played out in a Christian's life all too often.

The Christian's steadfast confidence and hope only comes through reliance on Jesus by walking in His Word, in His Ways and in His Spirit. 

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, 

for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

{Rely on the Holy Spirit!  He is ready and waiting to make you an overcomer!}

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, 

and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Luke 10:19

{The title Overcomer has already been assigned to you!  Live in it!}

When you rely confidently on the Lord, you WILL be an overcomer!

An Overcomer Does Not Lean on Their Own Understanding

I'm sure we have all experienced situations that we just can't wrap our heads around or understand.  I'm currently back in another season of one physical ailment after the other assailing me.  I am currently typing this post with one of my fingers that is painful and a lovely shade of blue.   I have also kept up the Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition of having serious teeth problems that need to be dealt with and trying to time out having those issues fixed so that they don't impact Christmas events.  Or like just now when I moved my leg and unwittingly banged my knee.  (I'm pretty sure this is the 3rd day in a row I have done this.)  While away for Thanksgiving, half asleep mind you, I moved my arm and slammed my elbow into the nightstand and was unable to bend my arm on Thanksgiving day.)  

I realize in the scheme of problems in the world, these are so very minor, but for the purpose of relating to my own post, I have included these anecdotal stories to be very transparent that I am really struggling with all these things (and quite possibly you are too...)  I am bitter and angry.  Just this morning I said to my daughter, "I am so sick of having some physical ailment hanging over my head as Christmas approaches."  Of course, as soon as I texted those words out I was convicted that I am trying to lean on my own understanding of the situations rather than looking at these circumstances through the lens of God's character.

My go to response seems to be that if I worry enough, I will figure out the problem and it will magically be solved.  Welp, I've got news for you, I am NOT an oral surgeon.  lol.  So I'm not quite sure how worrying is going to help me out in this case.  

When we worry, it gives the allusion that we are "taking action", but all it is doing is emptying today of it's strength...  And certainly negating the first part of today's verse because worry is a symptom of not trusting God.

Instead we must look to God, His character and His Word, when circumstances occur in life that baffle our understanding.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

 The Lord has the big picture.  He has the plan.  He has the purpose.  And His love guides all of these things.

When you do not lean on your own understanding and rest in God's understanding, you WILL be an overcomer.

An Overcomer Acknowledges God in ALL Their Ways

When looking up the definition of the word "acknowledge"  I was quite taken aback!  I wonder if you will feel the same way.

~accept or admit the existence or truth of~

I can certainly see this definition played out when becoming a new Believer, for indeed when we accept Jesus and admit that He is Lord of our lives, our paths are made straight because Jesus has removed our sins as far as the East is from the West.

BUT as a Believer, how can we NOT accept or admit the existence or truth of God?!  

Yet too often we do not accept circumstances in our lives, especially when there is a very real struggle.  We tend to worry, fret, complain and become angry at God.  In so doing, we are not admitting the Truth of God's Word and His promises for whatever situation we find ourselves in.  

I'm sure you would agree that the Bible covers EVERYTHING related to ANYTHING that we could be faced with on this Pilgrim's journey.

When we accept our circumstances as being ordained by God and sent with His great love and purpose, we will see our way straight.  But if we see our circumstances through embittered, angry eyes, our way will become crooked.   The Truth of God's Word will be distorted by the lies Satan wants us to believe.

The Apostle Paul gives us practical application for acknowledging God in ALL our ways.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:9

Our time in the Word of God is not just an exercise in reading, but a time to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When our minds are daily renewed, it will be easy to put into practice the acknowledgement of God in ALL our ways...

...And the Spiritual byproduct you will experience, is a straight path where God has removed the obstacles you once stumbled upon...

This does not mean you will not have troubles, BUT you will no longer stumble upon them...

For related posts click on the following:

Driving out the Canaanites in My Life  

{How to conquer sin in your life.}

Breaking the temptation cycle: Strength to Strength 

{How to overcome repeated sin in your life.}

How Does God Use My Failure?

The Antidote for Feeling Like a Failure

Why Praise is Your Greatest Spiritual Weapon Against Sin

Be encouraged!  When you acknowledge God in ALL your ways, you WILL be an Overcomer.

May this key scripture verse from Proverbs make you and overcomer in the New Year as you practice the characteristics of a Christian who overcomes.

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