Don't take credit

When I first started out in my insurance agency, I was having a lot of success. I had never had a sales job before, so I knew without a doubt I was walking in God's favor and blessing. I knew my success was all because of Him.

After about a year and a half, I had a slump in my life insurance sales. I was in some kind of terrible funk. I had to get things going again so I focused all my energy on selling life insurance. I thought I was in the slump because of something I was not doing right and/or something I was doing wrong.

Because "I" was working so hard I started taking credit for life sales. I did not know this at the time, but I realize now that because I blamed myself for the decrease, it also led me to take credit for the increase. Taking credit for God's blessing is dangerous territory to be walking in. When we do that, we are basically elevating our self above God, and we are denying our need to rely on Him.

Whether things are going great or if they are terrible, we have to remember the truth of God's word. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10 NLT).
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (James 1:17 NLT)

If you start taking credit for your failures, you will also be tempted to take credit for your success. Don't take credit. If you are in what seems like knee deep failure, resist the enemy who is stealing from you and start praising Jesus for your success even though you don't see it yet. If you are floating in a river of success, praise Jesus for blessing you. Give thanks and praise Him at all times! Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)

I would love to hear how this truth has impacted you and how you see failure and success!