As I look at my past and see all the struggles and times when I thought there was no hope, thought that it was the end, and I would never amount to anything, I see that God was there all along. He placed success within me all along, He placed success within every single person…all along!

As I mentioned last week, success is found in your heart through Jesus; it is within. When we choose to stop dwelling on gaining luxury cars and lots of cash flow, and start putting our trust and hope in God, the time will come when we start realizing there is a life outside of climbing the ladder to worldly success. This is the life God wants us to live. He wants us to seek Him in all we do! (Matthew 6:33) When we do, everything else follows.

Even after years of listening to the world beat you down, including yourself, when you listen to God’s word, you are breathing in success because in God’s word is everything you need for success, and it is sewn into your innermost being. It becomes a part of you. It manifests in your actions when you help the needy or when you choose to have ultimate trust in the Lord to supply all of your needs no matter what the circumstances may be.

But God doesn’t just stop there! He gives us visions and dreams and “equips us with all we need for doing His will.” (Hebrews 13:21) He gives us what we need to be successful in the visions He gives us. We just have to abide in Him and know that what He says is true and run with it!

The next time you think you are not successful because you don’t have the newest iphone or the biggest house, know that’s not what makes you successful. God places success within every one of us, and it can be found by listening to His word and abiding in Him.

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17)

Ashley Fordinal is the Children’s Church volunteer at Family Life Church in Sulphur Springs, TX.