How to succeed in something you’ve never done
Certain principles govern whether you will succeed, especially in a new endeavor.
When I went to college, started pastoring, got married, built buildings, started using media, and did so many other things, I had no idea how to succeed.
Joshua was fearful and hesitant to lead the nation into the Promised Land (without Moses!).
I'm sure you have felt that. You are certain of where you want to go but fear failure.
Let me give you the four principles from Joshua 1 that will help you succeed at anything God calls you to do:
1. Put your FEET on it.
“Every place the sole of your foot will tread upon I HAVE GIVEN to you…” (Josh. 1: 3)
God has already given you your new opportunity. It’s like it’s already done!
All you have to do is to “step out.” Every new endeavor starts with a first step.
As you walk, God will put it “under your feet.”
2. Put your HEART in it.
Three times in this one chapter, God told Joshua to “be strong and (very) courageous.”
Everybody feels stage fright. Everybody dreads the high diving board.
You may not “FEEL strong,” but you have to “BE strong.”
“Strong” in Hebrew means “stout, bold, alert, hardened.”
Paul said, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Eph. 6: 10).
Command fear and weakness to leave you as you start your new endeavor.
3. Put your MOUTH on it.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth…” (Josh. 1: 8).
Your mouth can make you successful or unsuccessful. God promised to give Israel the promised land. They just had to keep their mouth in line by repeatedly speaking the promise in faith.
The first group (40 years earlier) who tried to enter the Promised Land had spoken negatively about God’s ability to help them. Don’t make that mistake!
Speak out loud Scriptures like these:
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4: 13).
“The Lord my God is with me wherever I go….” (Joshua 1: 9)
“We are well able to overcome it…. (Numbers 13: 30)
Always lead with your mouth to succeed.
4. Put your MIND on it.
“...you shall MEDITATE on it (God’s promises) day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1: 8)
“Meditation” is not emptying of your mind. Instead, it is the “filling” of your mind with the promises of God.
Your mind can defeat you.
It will tell you a thousand reasons it won’t work. Your thoughts will trap you and keep you from ever even starting.
Take your thoughts captive. Resist thoughts that are contrary to God’s Word. Refuse to imagine all the possibilities of failure.
Read the promises of God over and over until your mind becomes renewed to be like God’s thoughts.
Then, and only then, will you have “good success!”
