Print This Article     Email This Article to a Friend       Is Success a Dirty Word?   We live in a society in which desiring to be a success is generally frowned upon as if it were some sort of vice. I can assure you, that's not God's perspective. He wants you to succeed. Psalms 35:27 tells us that He "takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants." Somerset Maugham once wrote, "The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic, and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary, it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant, and kind. Failure makes people cruel and bitter." With that in mind, let me share what the Bible says are three personal attributes that lead to success. #1 Perseverance We call it perseverance. The Bible calls it endurance. Whatever you call it, it's a vital mark of those who win in every area of life. Calvin Coolidge once said, "Nothing can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' will always solve the problems of the human race." The Bible speaks about perseverance in Galatians 6:9. It says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Perseverance. It's a vital attribute of those who would succeed. #2 Character The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said, "Character is what you are in the dark." One of the major differences between those who have a form of success and those who truly win in every area of life, is character. It's possible to lie, cheat and steal your way into a form of prosperity. But it's an empty and fleeting type of success. You can't build a winning life without strong personal character. That means being the kind of person who does the right thing, when doing the right thing is the hardest thing of all to do. The rewards of strong character, however, are great. Proverbs 2:7 says God is a shield to those who walk in integrity. Character. #3 Courage You won't find many cowardly lions in the winner's circle. If you want to experience consistent success and fulfillment, one of the most valuable characteristics you can cultivate is courage. Courage gives you the ability to face difficult circumstances and challenging times. It gives you the boldness to take calculated risks and the ability to think clearly when others are panicking. Andrew Jackson once said, "One man with courage makes a majority." Of course, it's easier to be courageous when you know you're on the right side and that God is backing you up. That's why Proverbs says, "The righteous are as bold as a lion." Courage, character and perseverance. Keep these three attributes in mind and purpose to cultivate them in your life. According to God's Word, that dramatically enhances your quality of life and your prospects for success.
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