There are more than seven billion people in the world, and every one of them are facing their own unique set of challenges. If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that there is adversity in your life that you’re facing right now, perhaps wondering if you’re going to overcome it, or if it is going to overwhelm you. One of the most important aspects to overcoming the challenges in your life is taking the time to celebrate the little victories.
Regardless of your age, job status, family status, or anything else, you’re facing your own unique set of challenges in life today. Ideally, you have some people in your life who can encourage you, some of whom may have faced similar situations while others might be dealing with similar circumstances now. However, no matter how much you have in common with others, it’s important to accept that fact that your season of adversity is unique to you. Others can encourage you, and others can tell you about their own stories of triumph, but they can’t get you through what you’re going through.
Obviously, prayer, fasting, Bible study, worship, and connecting with other believers are all important aspects of getting through the tough time in your life. However, there are other things that you can do that can help ensure you’re on the path toward victory. One of the most important ways that you can put yourself in a better position to succeed is to take the time to celebrate the little celebrate the little victories.
If you’ve ever watched or participated in sports, you understand this principle already. Every victory isn’t the championship. Every win isn’t the Super Bowl, the World Series, or the World Cup. Some of the most successful coaches in the world of professional and amateur sports have taught their players the importance of winning every play or winning every quarter. Those smaller victories result in winning games and eventually championships. In the same vein, when we recognize the small victories in our lives, we’re able to find the encouragement that we need to continue toward the victory that we’re seeking.
But when you’re focused on the bigger picture and the shadow of whatever is standing over you, it’s easy to miss out on these smaller victories. There are a few tips to keep in mind that will allow you to find solace in the little victories every day.
Finding Peace in the Midst of Pain
John 14:27 (TPT)
“I leave the gift of peace with you-my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts-instead, be courageous.
When it seems like you’re surrounded by trouble on every side, peace often seems like nothing more than a pipedream. How are you supposed to find peace when the doctor has told you that they think the cancer returned? How are you supposed to find peace when your spouse has told you that he or she is done with the marriage? How are you supposed to experience any kind of peace when your employer comes in and lets you know that layoffs are coming, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to be able to keep you on?
One of the most important parts about celebrating the little victories in life is finding peace. Oddly enough, the two prospects work together cyclically. Finding little victories along the way increases the amount of peace that you feel, while taking a more peaceful approach to the things going on around you will allow you to notice more of the little victories.
Christ was very clear about the fact that the kind of peace that comes from Him isn’t the kind of peace that you can get from the world. Worldly peace is fleeting. Worldly peace tells you that everything is fine as long as life is going the way you want it to. Worldly peace is tangible when you get a raise at work. However, that peace is quickly snatched away when the company announces layoffs. Peace that is found in Christ doesn’t work that way.
Instead, the peace that He affords His people outlasts everything around us. When we embrace that peace, our eyes are opened to the little victories that take place every day. When our eyes are opened to those victories, we’re more likely to experience the kind of peace that only comes from Him.
Remembering the Gift of Grace
Romans 8:1 (TPT)
So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.
In the tenth chapter of Saint Luke’s Gospel, the disciples return to Jesus in the middle of a euphoric moment of celebration. The first group of disciples had just learned that they had the power to cast our evil spirits. Can you imagine what a feeling that was? That certainly counts as a “big victory,” right? Imagine the shock that they felt when Jesus told them not to become so focused on their newfound power over evil spirits. Instead, He wanted them to focus on the fact that their names had been written down in the journals of Heaven (Luke 10:20).
When the adversity of life makes it hard to focus on any type of victory, we can rejoice in the same thing. By no means are we saying that your name being written down in the journals of Heaven is a small victory. Quite the contrary is true. Your name being written down in Heaven is the greatest victory that anyone can ever experience. So, what does something as big as eternal salvation have to do with little victories?
It’s because everything seems small when you compare it to eternity. Not only do the things that are coming against you seem smaller, but it also opens up your eyes to little victories along the way. Small victories are about recognizing that everything doesn’t have to be perfect for life to still be wonderful. And what is more wonderful than knowing that your eternity is sealed?
Fixing Your Focus
Philippians 4:8 (TPT)
So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
The final key to celebrating the little victories in your life is to commit yourself to looking for them. In his letter to the Philippian Church, Paul discussed the importance of having your mind focused on the right things. As humans, we have a tendency to focus on the worst things going on in our lives. No matter how good some aspects of our lives are going, we have a natural inclination to focus on whatever is scaring us the most, depressing us the most, and robbing us of our peace and joy. That’s what Paul was telling the Philippian Christians, and in turn, us, that we should avoid.
What if you made a conscience effort to look for little victories in your life? Instead of focusing on everything that’s going wrong, take the next couple minutes and really focus on the things that are going right in your life. Don’t believe the lie that there is nothing that is going right. Remember the verses we just read and start with the fact that your name is written down in Heaven!
We can acknowledge the little victories in our lives when we make a concerted effort to look for them. Don’t allow yourself to be blinded by all the turmoil going on around you. Instead, spend your time looking for the little victories, and celebrate them.
A Closing Prayer:
God, even though things may not be going perfectly, I know that You are still active and at work in my life. Help me to find the opportunities to notice the little victories in my life. Remind me to slow down and embrace Your peace so I can better recognize the things that are happening that I may overlook. In Christ’s name, Amen.