II Timothy, Chapter 1 Verse 1 & 2(NKJV): “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, a beloved son, grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This letter of Paul was written under very difficult circumstances. He was confined in a dungeon and friends could only see him with difficulty. At first, he had expected to be released, but now he looked forward to death.

Paul was concerned for Timothy’s needs and the welfare of the church also. He reminded Timothy, “to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” There in the midst of his greatest struggle he says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

I believe that is a good word for the churches and pastors of America. The Apostle Paul was in a dungeon, in chains having been beaten, stoned and left for dead. Probably thinking this ministry of his was a failure, as most five-fold ministers think from time to time. Timothy was probably doing what ministry leaders do when the pressure builds and they don’t see the fruit. When the mountains of pressure have gotten gigantic and you don’t want to spend the time in prayer to toss them in the sea or you’ve gotten a taste of the world and you’re blinded by the light of your on pride. It’s time to step back and release the wrong thinking that is in the dungeons of your mind.

Quit being a wisher and a woulder. A few years ago, the fish boats that fished in the waters off St. Augustine, Fla., moved to another location. People were perplexed to suddenly finding hundreds of sea gulls dead on the beaches. It was discovered that the gulls were accustomed to feeding from the unwanted shrimp cast overboard from the boats and they had forgotten how to fish for themselves. The gulls had forsaken self-sufficiency for the easy life.

There’s an old proverb that says wishers and woulders are never good housekeepers and wishing never filled a sack. I heard this story of a young student who asked for an easy assignment and the old wise teacher stated, “I know of only one easy place in life and that is in the grave.”

I want to share with you all that you are the offspring of the Master Achiever of the universe. God’s first description of himself reveals much. “In the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth,” (Genesis 1:1) The Creator talks to his creation. His language is pictures, visions and dreams. Be aware of him speaking to you through impressions, thoughts. It’s him, not you in your thinking.”

During some season, God will schedule a turning point in your life. A picture of your God-potential will explode into a thousand possibilities. This picture or dream will instantly dispel the darkness of passivity and mediocrity that has paralyzed your achievement and success.

It’s a time to get up and get going. Get out of your jail. Solomon tried all life had to offer, but soon discovered that living life without God is like “chasing soap bubbles.” Scripture says, be diligent do not fall short, which speaks of slothfulness and procrastination. Remember it is possible to miss what God has promised. Quit chasing soap bubbles and start defining the true contribution of every friendship in your life. Each person in your life is a current, taking you toward your goals or away from them. Do not expect a 3-by-5-inch friendship to grow your 16-by-20-inch dream. Step back and assess your present situation and circumstance and move from the people that have jailed you in your mind and step forward into your future and watch God bless you exceedingly and abundantly.

(Stead is pastor of Christ Healing Center)