In Victory!Намуна

The Winner's Mindset

John 16:33 " These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Recently, while playing billiards with colleagues, a striking illustration of the winner's mentality presented itself to me.

Two teams opposed each other, the striped team and the solid team, each bearing the name of the balls they played. From the start of the game, the rules were clear. One in particular was of importance: if a team sank the black ball into a pocket before they knocked all their other balls in, they automatically conceded victory to the opposing team.

I found myself on the striped team, and I won't lie to you, we were bad. The solid balls were piling up in the pockets, and I already saw us as definite losers. Yet, an error by my opponents changed the game. They hit the white ball, and it collided with one of their balls and hit the black ball. Before my eyes, I saw the black ball fall into a pocket along with one of theirs. My team found ourselves victorious in a match we could never have won.

As the goal was to have fun, the solid team, which had been leading until then, insisted on putting the black ball back in play and continuing the game. As I prepared to play, my teammate's voice brought me a hidden treasure: "No pressure, we play in victory!"

In the light of the Holy Spirit, these words were translated to me. At that moment, the black ball represented Jesus, who paid the price for all my striped balls so that they didn't need to go into the pocket to pocket a win. Furthermore, from the moment the black ball was resurrected and placed back among its own, it endowed all the striped balls with a protective power that rendered any effort by the opposing team null and void. The striped balls could fall into the hole, never be touched, or we could even forfeit, but nothing would change. We played in victory.

Living from victory, we can be fighters who are no longer afraid, and who are full of boldness and courage. We can rise, succeed, be free, be joyful, be grateful, and be filled with love. Let us cultivate the mindset of one who knows they have already won every battle and honor Jesus for His sacrifice by being more active, advancing fearlessly, and following His lead.

I pray that we all continually develop the mentality of the winner.