Do you have anything in your life that is incomplete today, a dream that has not come to pass? Maybe that problem in your life has not turned around yet.
But you have seen some progress, you have seen a sign of God's favor. But the work is still unfinished. The mistake we make too often is that we wait for the total victory to manifest before we celebrate the victory.
-"As soon as I get over this illness..."
-As soon as this legal situation clears up
-As soon as I break free from this addiction....THEN I will celebrate.
No, the key to seeing total fulfillment is celebrating the partial victories along the way.
You may not be totally out of debt but you have paid off one credit card.
-Celebrate what God has done!
You haven't lost all the weight but you did lose five pounds
-celebrate that victory
You haven't received your college degree but you did finish your first year
-When you celebrate your partial victories, it gives you the strength to move forward.
A lady who recently had a stroke was walking with a cane -
We asked how she was doing. She could have complained, 'I can't believe I had this stroke, I can hardly walk anymore.' Instead she smiled real big and said 'I have to use this cane but at least I am walking. I could be at home, I could be in bed, I am not totally healed but I am headed that way...' When you thank God for the partial, you will receive more strength, more healing, more favor. Sometimes we are so focused on the completion, we miss and take for granted the small victories.
Your child may not be on course yet but he was respectful this morning. That is a partial victory, thank God for it. Or maybe your didn't make that big sale that you worked so hard for. Things fell though. Don't go around complaining, your time is coming. Then there are those anxiety attacks. But you haven't had one in three weeks -another partial victory.
It is time to rejoice your way through to total victory no matter what your situation looks like:
HAB 3:17
hough the cherry trees don’t blossom
and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I’m king of the mountain!