Stop looking at your circumstances.  Create the circumstances you want instead of the ones you’ve got.

Dictionary.com defines circumstances as:

“a condition, detail, part, or attribute, with respect to time, place, manner, agent, etc., that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor:”

Let me tell you one fact that can’t be modified or changed.

Jesus saves.  Jesus heals.  Jesus delivers.  Jesus changes things which the world thinks can’t be changed.

I should never worry about circumstances. . .because I have the authority, wisdom and access to create any and every circumstance I desire.

Your circumstances don’t determine your destiny. . .they just reflect your current location . . . and what you’re doing or not doing at the moment.

Here seven ways to create the circumstances needed for a strong and successful finish to 2013.

First, circumstances and facts change. . .truth doesn’t (the Word is truth).

Your financial condition can change for the worse by an sudden illness or accident, an unforeseen layoff or any sort of other catastrophic event, such as a death or divorce.

Your financial condition can change for the better with an unexpected bonus, increase in salary or perhaps, an unanticipated inheritance.

Your financial circumstances can change in a heartbeat. . .for better or worse.

However, there’s one thing that will never change.

Malachi 3:6 says:

“For I am the Lord, I change not. . .”

Hebrews 13:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).”

If God doesn’t change. . .and He doesn’t.  If His word doesn’t change. . .and it doesn’t.  If God’s promises remain the same. . .and they do.  Then it’s fairly obviously. . .we and our circumstances are the ones and things that can and need to change.

Now let’s go a little deeper. . .

Matthew 3:2 says:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for repent is metanoeō (G3344) and it means:

“to change one’s mind”

The Amplified Bible translation of Matthew 3:2 says:

“And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Where a person will spend eternity. . .heaven or hell. . .changes. . .when you change your mind.

Whether you live in lack or surplus. . .changes. . .when you change your mind.

Whatever circumstances you’re dealing with. . .change. . .when you change your mind.

Romans 12:2 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”

One more verse.  Acts 3:19 in The Living Bible says:

“Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.”

We need to repent. . .change our minds. . .about our circumstances.

Second, your attitude will determine your tolerance of the circumstances you’re facing.

There are some things in life you just have to tolerate. . .but your attitude will determine whether or not. . .those circumstances eat your lunch.

Traffic. . .you can’t fly over it. . .tunnel under it. . .so just relax. . .enjoy the ride and make it a learning experience.

Some years ago, my fine wife Bev and I decide that when caught in traffic or dealing with drivers who shouldn’t have a license. . .we decided to always say. . .we’re on vacation and thus not be in a hurry when driving.

A negative attitude in traffic will make you run hotter than your radiator on a hot summer’s day.

Don’t get your undergarments in a knot. . .relax and make the journey a learning experience. . .by listening to teaching CDs and downloads, like our two-minute videos.

Taxes. . .you either pay them or you go to jail. . .so change your attitude.  Thank God that you have to pay more in taxes because it means you’re making more money.  Having said. . .let me also encourage you. . .to report ALL income. . .but take every deduction and advantage the law allows.

I could go on. . .and discuss how we have to tolerate ignorant people, disappointing sports teams (the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees) among other things.  But here’s the real key.

Your attitude. . .determines your tolerance of unfavorable and/or aggravating circumstances.

Ephesians 4:2 in the Good News Translation says:

“Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.”

Third, talking about your circumstances won’t change them. . .but action based on God’s Word will.

Anyone who ever said talk is cheap. . .never argued with a traffic cop.

Someone once said, “talk is cheap but actions are priceless.”

Do you know what impresses God. . .what makes a difference with Him?

Romans 2:13 in the Message Bible says:

“Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.”

God is impressed by what you actually do. . .not what you intend to do or say we’re going to do.

Do you want God’s approval?

James 2:24 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“You see that a person receives God’s approval because of what he does, not only because of what he believes.”

You receive God’s approval by doing what He says in His Word.

Years ago, Dr. Morris Cerullo said:  “Faith is a fact, but you’ve got to act.”

Life is full of people who want to talk about what they’re going to do. . .but yet nothing ever seems to happen.

I have a friend who is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. . .but he has a totally unrealistic view of what it takes to make happen the things his mind creates.

A creation without implementation with never come to fruition.

Do you want to move from the prison of mediocrity to the freedom success can bring?  Then do something instead of talking about it.

Genesis 39:22 says:

“And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for doer is `asah (H6213) which means:

“to do, accomplish, produce.”

Joseph was a dreamer. . .but his destiny manifested because of what he did.

If you become known as the go-to person in the workplace. . .you will find doors of opportunity opening for you. . .beyond your expectation.

Joseph was a doer in person and it opened the doors. . .for him to escape from a prison into his destiny.

One other thing, if you’re not doing what the Word says. . .then you are deceiving yourself.

James 1:22 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].”

When you listen, obey an act on His Word. . .God will bless and reward you.

James 1:25 in the New Living Translation says:

“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Don’t just talk about it. . .be a doer of the word.

Fourth, your character. . .not your circumstances. . .will determine your destiny.  Take time to meditate on that one.

Circumstances don’t build your character. . .they merely reveal who you really are. . .what you believe and how you respond to adversity.

If you’re asked to do something on the job that is ethically, morally or perhaps legally wrong. . .how you respond to those circumstances reveal your character.

If you face circumstances beyond your control. . .requiring you to make a difficult choice. . .then your character will determine your response.

The difference between circumstances and opportunities is determined by the depth of your character. . .which is determined by your reliance on the Word of God as your daily guide.

Outward circumstances will either reveal inner chaos or character.  The former is a tactic of the enemy and the latter a gift of God.

Ephesians 5:13 in God’s Word Translation says:

“Light exposes the true character of everything.”

Despite the adversity of your circumstances. . .your strength of character will be obvious to everyone.

As you reflect on your current circumstances. . .consider what Ruth faced.

First, she married a foreigner instead of one of her Moabite home boys.

Second, she was probably ostracized from her family. . .because she didn’t marry the one they picked. . .as would have been the custom.

Third, her husband died and she was forced to live with her mother-in-law who according to the scripture was a bitter woman over the loss of her husband and sons.

Fourth, widows with husbands and sons. . .were not the toast of the town. . .that’s why Jesus teaches us to care for the widows and the orphans.

Fifth, now her mother-in-law is returning to her home where Ruth will be a foreigner.

I could go on but I think the message is clear. . .Ruth was a woman of character and it showed.

Ruth 3:11 in God’s Word translation says:

“Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do whatever you say. The whole town knows that you are a woman who has strength of character.”

Ruth’s character determined how she handled the circumstances she faced. . .thus sealing her destiny.

Fifth, your peace factor should never be affected by your circumstances.

One of the most amazing facts about my fine wife Bev. . .and believe me. . .there are many . . . is her peace factor.

Seemingly urgent circumstances rarely, if ever, faze my fine wife Bev.

When the enemy starts slinging fiery darts our way. . .Bev prays. . .in every instant that I can remember when she felt peace. . .the attack ended and everything was all right.

The key to developing a peace factor in your life is to know the Word and pray it.   If you don’t have confidence in the Word of God. . .you will never have peace.

Why worry about circumstances when you can pray the Word and give it all to God.  Let Him deal with it.

As I’ve said for years, if you worry about situations . . . it means you don’t trust God.

Gain strength, comfort and yes, peace with John 14:27 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”

Notice the last sentence in the verse . . . it’s the bottom line on how you act and react to adversity.

“[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”

Circumstances can aggravate you. . .seemingly unsurmountable circumstances can disturb you. . .causing you to be anything and everything. . .except what God wants you to be. . .confident in His Word and His promises.

Isaiah 26:3 in the Amplified Bible says:

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”

When our mind is stay on Him. . .our circumstances become of no consequence. . .because we know. . .they can be change and controlled through prayer and the Word.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all.”

Sixth, your response to less than desirable circumstances will determine your future success.

Proverbs 24:10 says:

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

The Message Bible translation of Proverbs 24:10 says:

“If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place.”

The true measure of a person’s spiritual depth and character is determined by their response to adverse circumstances.

Here’s a question. . .that must be asked and answered.

Are God’s promises true?

Are God’s promises for you?

Are God’s promises to you. . .any less accurate because they have or have not as yet manifested in your life?

Absolutely not!  God’s precious promises aren’t based on current events, circumstances or your present financial position.  His promises to you are conditional on but one thing. . .your obedience to His instructions.

God’s Word is true regardless of what you’re going through.  It is a manual to help you thrive while others just try to survive.

Will your obedience keep adversity away from your doorstep?  No, but you can choose the keep the creator of trouble and adversity out of your mental and spiritual house.

Your current circumstances though perhaps intense are temporary...but the promises of God are timeless.

More than that. . .you have the authority and resurrection power to activate those promises to create whatever circumstances you desire.

Seventh, adverse circumstances are from hell. . .opportunities are from heaven.  Where do you want to spend your time?

The enemy will seek to put you in circumstances where small compromises are made. 

Perhaps. . .it’s a meeting in a private office with a co-worker of the opposite sex where business conversation turns in a discussion about family problems. . .and how your spouse doesn’t understand the things you have to deal with.

What may start as seemingly harmless conversations. . .over time. . .can develop into trouble and  sin.

Maybe circumstances at work put you in a position where you can take small things no one will ever miss. . .without being noticed or caught.  Some compromises lead to large problems.

Enough on the adverse circumstances. . .now let’s talk about how you can create opportunities from heaven.

There’s a great scripture about circumstances found in 2 Corinthians 9:8 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].”

How do you manifest promises found in 2 Corinthians 9:8 in the Amplified Bible? 

Even if you’re a Bible-totting, Sunday School attending and sanctuary running believer. . .you will always have to contend with circumstances until you realize you have the creative power to change EVERY. . .not some. . .BUT, EVERY. . .circumstance you face.

Here are two things certain from 2 Corinthians 9:8.

1.         God is able and willing to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance.

Now let me ask you does that sound like God wants you to struggle through life dealing with circumstances that negate your ability to experience the good….NO.

2.         God wants you to always. . .not sometimes. . .but ALWAYS and under ALL circumstances and whatever the need [wants you] to be self sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

When we reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord regardless of our circumstances we’re blessed.

Proverbs 28:14 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”

The love of God will fade the adversity of your circumstances regardless of who caused the problem.  Love will life your circumstances.

1 Corinthians 13:7 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].”

In every circumstance. . .Praise God for His mercy, goodness and grace.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”

Part of being an overcomer. . .is to handle the circumstances of life.

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