Yesterday we talked about Spiritual Self-Esteem. I want to continue that today and give you a few concepts to remember so you can keep your eternal security in perspective. I want to start with some key concepts that are contained in 1 Peter 1: 3–7 as they summarize how to maintain a proper attitude and keep your spiritual self-esteem in the right perspective.

• Even though you may experience stress and pain, you should rejoice, because it is not permanent stress or pain. (verse 6)
• The refining or stressful process improves your faith resulting in praise for you and glory for Christ. (verse 7)
• During the stress, your hedge of protection is guaranteed by God. (verse 5)
• Your Family inheritance is protected in the Kingdom where no one else can access or take it from your account. (verse 4)
• And the reason you have this security is because of Christ’s death, on your behalf, and His resurrection. (verse 3) God’s confidence is our confidence.

Spiritual heroes have rough days but they know they are never defeated.

What causes some people to keep on going like the Ever-Ready Energizer Bunny until their goal is reached? Over the years, I have read about a hundred articles and books about success and the factors necessary for it. There are commonalities precisely in line with God’s universal process.

• 94% of people believed an individual must have a purpose. The purpose is like a banner providing direction and a reason for the person to remain focused regardless of the challenges. In almost every case the purpose had something to do with their efforts, not financial gain. The success would normally place the individual in better standing, by developing character (3rd step in the Universal Process). And, character comes from keeping your eyes on Jehovah Nissi, your banner! As you find your identity in Christ there is purpose and growth in your spiritual self-esteem..
• 81% of people believed there must be discipline, determination, and, above all, persistence. Perseverance, the 2nd step in the universal process, indicates a person’s willingness to stay with a task and achieve their goal despite the challenges. Facing and walking through life’s challenges is difficult at best. However, staying the course is the only way to develop character.
• 78% of people believed hard work must be accompanied by stress and unforeseen challenges. Pressure and stress are the silent wars in every walk of life. This point is our 1st stage of the universal process. It illustrates how we innately know the motto, “No pain, no gain.” While not everything we do is spiritual, there are always spiritual implications. Sometimes being honest may cost you. Your job is to remember that what is taken from us here on Earth will be multiplied as our reward in the Kingdom.
• 76% of people believed there must be an accountability or measurement process. The world uses measurement to justify its actions. One of today’s favorite phrases is “If you can measure it, you can manage it.” The universal process provides equity for all, but allows God and yourself the measurement process. (1 Corinthians 11: 31-32) With appropriate accountability your character will draw others to you, generating success. It is a better advertisement than words. Christ in you will draw others to you because of the favor placed on you by Divinity. (john 6:44)
• 74% of people believed you must maintain a positive attitude. In the Kingdom step four of the universal process provides the positive attitude of hope, to which all people can relate. As a believer the only person that can remove your hope is you! And, if you do give up hope, you have believed a lie because your future is guaranteed and the guarantee is sealed by your brother The Holy Spirit.

As I close I want to give you one more statistic. Only 18.75% of the articles I reviewed stated that you needed some sort of special skill for talent for success. This is exactly the way Divinity operates. We have often heard it said that “God uses the ordinary to perform the extraordinary.” You are extraordinary.

Love Dad