How To Live On Purposetake21

How to Live On 

Purpose 

The Believer’s Mini 

Bible for Lasting 

Success! 

Charity L. McGee

How to Live On Purpose 

The Believer’s Mini Bible for Lasting Success! 

Published by Charity L. McGee 

Copyright © Charity L. McGee, 2016 

All rights reserved 

ISBN-13:978-1534682665 

ISBN-10:153468266X 

Publisher’s Note 

This publication is designed to provide accurate and 

authoritative information in regard to the subject 

matter covered. No part of this book may be used, 

duplicated, re-sold, hired-out, or otherwise 

circulated in any manner without the publisher’s 

prior consent in any form of binding or cover other 

than that in which it is published. 

All quotations unless, otherwise noted are 

taken from the King James Bible 

Printed in the United States of America 

Visit my website www.n-spired.com!

Table of Contents 

Chapters Page # 

Introduction …………………………………………………. 

1. Press Toward the Mark …………………………....4 

2. Use Wisdom & Use What You Have……………13 

3. Renew Your Mind ……………….………………..…24 

4. Patience is Key …………………………………….... 29 

5. Oppose Opposition with Praise.…………..….36 

6. Stay in Your Own Lane ……….………………..…41 

7. Endure Until the Finish ……………………….……46 

About the Author ……………………………………….…...53 

1

∾ Introduction ∾ 

Have you ever sat down and looked over your 

life with feelings of disappointment, and regret? Are 

you overwhelmed with fear and un-certainty, with no 

hope or expectation for your future? Have you felt 

that thus far your life has been lived in vain? Do you 

feel as though you just want to give up at times, and 

let go? Your tired of the cycles of defeat. Your tired of 

the pain. 

You want more, and deep down you know there is 

more, that is why you are so frustrated. You know 

that there is more to life, more to your life than to just 

keep working, living only to get by, and then die. You 

know there is something greater on the inside of you, 

but you feel clueless as, how to draw it out. If, any of 

these feelings describe you, then this book is for you. 

We all have a desire to live for something greater, 

beyond ourselves. There is a need to succeed and 

prosper in our lives in everything that we do. This 

feeling comes from within and it was placed there by 

God. We were created to succeed. 

But, there has often been a misconception about 

success. Often success is equated with an abundance 

of material wealth such as, money, houses, cars, and 

land. Now there is nothing wrong with having any of 

those things, but the success of the believer is 

connected to much more. 

Success is not concentrated to one area of an 

individual’s life, so being rich does not mean that you 

are successful. It means that you are rich. The kind of


success God desires for you is one that encompasses 

every area of your life. 

What good is it for you to have all the money in the 

world, but your family is broken? What profit is it for 

you to have a huge house, nice car, but a horrible 

character that nobody wants to be around? True 

success is about making a positive impact. As a 

believer you must know that you were created by 

God to make an impact. Your success is connected to 

your God given purpose. 

Every person on this earth has pondered on that one 

familiar question, “why am I here?” You want to know 

why you were created. You want to understand the 

reason for your existence. 

In the book of Genesis, it says that God created male 

and female in his image, and he gave them a charge to 

be fruitful and multiply. In other words, he told them 

to be intentional and succeed. To be intentional 

means to do something on purpose, to do something 

with an aim, or an expected end in mind. 

That means that everything that we do should be 

carefully planned, and laid out. We should not be 

doing things “just because.” Don’t get into 

relationships, “just because.” Don’t have children, 

“just because.” 

Everything that we do should be for a purpose. Too 

often we do things just because we feel like it or “by 

2


accident.” We “accidently” got pregnant. We 

“accidently” over spend our money. 

This is not how we were created to live. But, this is 

why many of us have failed, and continue to fail. Any 

decision of your life made without purpose or aim, 

makes no difference, and you we created to make an 

impact. 

Making an impact can only happen by living 

according to the purpose that God has ordained for 

your life. As believers it is God’s design for us to live 

purposefully, and have success as a result. We were 

not designed to fail. So, if you are ready to leave the 

setbacks and the failures of your past behind, and 

experience lasting success, then hang on and pay 

close attention. 

This book will guide you, and give you the tools 

necessary to live a life of purpose, God’s purpose for 

you. After reading this book you will be able to 

navigate your way through pain, and press forward. 

You will learn how to clear the negative clutter from 

your mind and think only on positive things. 

You will learn how to endure until the end without 

giving up, and so much more. My goal for you, as you 

read through these pages is that you will be 

enlightened, motivated, and empowered to get up 

and move forward. My prayer is that you will 

discover, and embrace God’s purpose for your life, 

and walk in it. Are you ready? Let’s go for it! 

3


Chapter 1 

∾ Press Towards the Mark ∾ 

Success is not an automatic guarantee 

given in this life. You must be intentional. You must 

live pressing toward a mark in order to succeed and 

fully enjoy all that God designed for your life to be. A 

mark is simply a purpose or a goal. That goal can be 

getting a college degree. It can be a destination or 

anything you desire to accomplish. 

A mark is simply the ending point of something that 

was started. In order to achieve success, you must be 

pressing towards an expected end. If you want to 

reach an expected end, you must do so on purpose. 

That is what God desires for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, 

“for I know the thoughts that I have towards you, 

declares the Lord; thoughts of peace, and not of evil to 

give you an expected end.” 

We are all created for a purpose, but we are not all 

living on purpose. How do I know this? There are still 

unsolved problems that exist in the world. H.I.V. still 

exist. Poverty still exist. We don’t even have a cure for 

the common cold, yet. All these problems beg a 

solution. The solution could be in you. Everything in 

life exist to serve a purpose. 

4


A car exists to provide transportation. Clothes exists 

to provide a covering for our bodies. Doctors exists to 

solve health problems. Mothers exist to nurture, and 

care for her children. Fathers exist to protect, and 

provide. 

When someone or something misses the mark, and 

fails to fulfill their purpose there will be suffering, 

and lack. If someone is sick, and there is no doctor, 

they will suffer. If a father fails to be there for his kids, 

they will suffer. Suffering exists when people do not 

walk in their purpose. 

In order to reach the mark and fulfill your purpose 

there are three simple things you must do. You must: 

#1 Get a vision 

#2 Write the vision 

#3 Follow through 

Get a Vision 

Many start well, but true success is in the finish. In 

order to finish you must start. In order to start you 

must have a vision. Vision is the ability to see what is 

in front of you, physically or mentally. You have to 

know where you are going. You cannot get to the 

5


finish mark if you are unable to see where you are 

going. 

Have you ever observed a runner competing in a 

race? They don’t look to the left or to the right. They 

maintain their focus ahead. They run in stride, 

keeping their eye on the finish line. You have never 

seen a runner, running aimlessly all over the track 

field. 

Your life is like a race, and every day you wake up, 

you must get up with your vision for your life in mind. 

You cannot live aimlessly going from day to day, and 

expect to make it to the finish line. 

What separates people who are successful from those 

who are not is a vision. Successful people are 

visionaries. A visionary is someone who is simply 

able to follow a direction for their life without 

deterrence. They are disciplined. They are not crowd 

followers, or interested in the status quo. They are 

focused. 

A visionary keeps their eye on the mark, because they 

realize that no matter what life brings, they know 

where they are headed. They are not defined by what 

happens to them, but instead uses what is within 

them to propel them forward. 

They do this with foresight. They have the ability to 

see something before they actually see it. A visionary 

is someone who walks by faith and takes actions 

6


towards their goal despite their present 

circumstance. 

Your vision should be the mission statement for your 

life. It is your purpose, and reason for living. When 

someone asks you what your goal is for your life, or 

where you are headed, you should be able to quickly 

tell them. 

But too often we get blind-sided by our present state, 

and past mistakes, and instead of seeing where we 

are headed we stay stuck in where we have been. This 

is called doubt, and doubt will always blur your 

vision. 

Get a vision for your life, it is vital to experience 

lasting success. Without a vision your life will remain 

stuck, stagnant, and, as a result you will be un-happy. 

Proverbs 29:18 says, “where there is no vision, the 

people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” 

To create a vision for your life you must know what 

you want, and you must be clear about it. You can 

begin by identifying your core values, and passions. 

Your best vision can grow from your hopes, dreams, 

and aspirations. Ask yourself these questions: 

 

 

 

What do I want to do with my life? 

What am I passionate about 

What inspires me? 

7


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If was not paid any money what would I enjoy 

doing every day? 

What problem(s) exist in the world that I am 

passionate about solving? 

How much money do I want to make? 

Where do I want to live, and what kind of 

house do I want to live in? 

What kind of spouse do I want to be? 

What kind of spouse do I want to marry? 

What kind of parent do I want to be? 

Write the Vision 

Once you get your vision you must write it down. 

Trying to follow a vision that has not been carefully 

laid out is like trying to construct a building without 

a blueprint. There is a saying that goes like this, “if 

you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” The key to 

having a productive, and prosperous life is 

developing a specific plan to fulfill the vision for your 

life. 

Motivational speaker, and writer Brian Tracy states 

that you generally accomplish goals that are written 

down. 

“And the Lord answered me and said write the vision, 

and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that 

8


readeth it,” [Habakkuk 2:2] Write down your personal 

vision statement. Here is an example of my own 

personal vision statement: 

My vision statement includes, living my best life waking 

up every day spending time with God in prayer, and 

reading his word; publishing best- selling books that will 

positively impact readers nationwide; making a six figure 

income speaking, and motivating others to live their best 

lives; singing, and writing music under the anointing of 

God to heal the broken hearted; developing, and managing 

my own clothing line; overseeing the daily operations of 

my non-profit organization N-spired Inc., and going global 

to carry its mission of restoration, empowerment, and 

transformation to women all of through its various 

programs; travel the world to enjoy all the beauty, and 

richness it has to offer; spending valuable, and quality 

time with my family, and loved ones, and valuing 

everything about them; living a life daily of integrity, 

honesty, and commitment; making the decision to be 

happy no matter what state or condition my life may be in; 

being kind to every person that I meet, and leaving a 

positive impact upon their lives; being loving, and loyal to 

my husband, and children through sacrifice, commitment, 

and endurance; never having to worry about money, and 

spending it on whatever I want. 

Writing your vision down will give you a clear view 

and help you navigate the direction of your life. Once 

you write the vision statement you can then develop 

steps to accomplish the goals written on your 

statement. 

9


Follow Through 

Lastly in order to reach your mark you must follow 

through. It is easy to set goals, and it is easy to write 

them down, and get started. But, in order to hit your 

mark, and make it to the finish line of success you 

must follow through until that goal is completed. 

There are three ways you can follow through. #1 is 

you must schedule time. Everyone is given the same 

24 hours within a day. But, everyone has a choice 

with how they choose to utilize that time. If you are 

serious about succeeding, and living in the vision for 

your life, you must schedule time to works towards 

those goals on purpose. 

Whether you decide to set aside 10 minutes or 

twenty minutes, make sure that whatever time you 

set aside, you follow through and accomplish a goal 

you have written down. Eliminate any distractions, 

and focus those ten or twenty minutes solely towards 

getting done, and accomplishing your goal. 

Secondly in order to follow through you must tweak 

your old habits or develop new ones. If you set a goal 

to get out of debt, you cannot keep going to the mall, 

and spending your check on clothes, and shoes every 

time you get paid. You will have to learn how to 

budget, and began paying down some of your debt. 

If you want to be successful, and live the best life that 

God envisioned for you, you will have to change some 

things. 

10


Thirdly you must remain consistent. Consistency 

means to keep pressing, and doing something no 

matter what. It is the ability to keep doing something 

over, and over, and over until you reach a desired 

result. 

No matter how long it takes. Remain consistent. Keep 

doing whatever it takes until you arrive at your 

desired destination. Keep pressing until you reach 

your mark. 

Paul states in Philippians 3:13-14 “… but this one thing 

I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and 

reaching forth unto those things which are before I 

press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling 

of God.” 

11


Reference Scriptures On Pressing Toward the 

Mark: 

1) Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the 

prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

2) Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work 

together for good to them that love God, to 

them who are the called according to his 

purpose. 

3) Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I 

think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of 

peace, and not of evil to give you an expected 

end. 

4) Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained 

an inheritance, being predestined according to 

the purpose of him who worketh all things after 

the counsel of his own will. 

5) Philippians 1: 6 Being confident of this very 

thing, that he which hath begun a good work in 

you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 

12


Chapter 2 

∾ Use Wisdom & Use What You Have ∾ 

Everyone wants to be successful, and 

everyone wants success that will last their lifetime. 

But success is a state of mind and takes work. Lasting 

success requires wisdom. Without wisdom you will 

fail every time. Wisdom is the ability to discern and 

perceive difference. In Proverbs 4:7 it says, that 

“wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom, 

and with all thy getting get understanding.” Lack of 

wisdom is ignorance. Ignorance is simply not 

knowing. 

I remember watching a documentary on television a 

few years back. The documentary covered the lives of 

21 people who had hit the lotto and won big millions, 

but went broke just a few years after. They all had one 

thing in common, they lacked wisdom. But, of those 

21 people, there was one woman’s story that really 

stuck with me. She was a single mom raising her six 

children, and working as a senior care provider when 

she won her 10million dollar jackpot. She spent 

lavishly buying custom made cars, huge mansions, 

designer clothes, and taking exotic vacations. Within 

nine years of winning she was broke, and riding the 

city bus to make it to her part-time job to support her, 

and her children. 

Now how did this happen? How can someone come 

into a lump sum of money like this and loose it all in 

less than a decade? It’s easy. Lack of wisdom. Wisdom 

13


is a tool and it gives you knowledge. Now I am sure 

many of you are saying if that was me that would 

never happen, but are you so sure? 

Many times we believe we know ourselves. But 

check out how you operate your life right now. Do 

you discern and make decisions based on your 

feelings, or are you led by knowledge? People who 

are living to create lasting success by living on 

purpose make decisions based on knowledge. They 

don’t just live for the moment. 

This lady simply had a lack of knowledge, concerning 

money, and how to budget. It is quite obvious that she 

made her decisions about her spending based on her 

feelings. In an interview she was quoted having said 

“all that money didn’t come with instructions.” There 

is a saying that goes like this “what you don’t know 

can’t hurt you.” Wrong! What you don’t know can 

hurt you, and cost you greatly. Her lack of wisdom 

with her finances cost her, her millions. And what 

could have still been a blessing for her today has now 

become a curse to her. With wisdom she could have 

made the money work for her. 

Again, wisdom is the ability to take action and make 

sound decisions based on knowledge, rather than 

feelings. Too many times like this lady we make 

decisions based on how we feel, instead of using 

wisdom. I have done this. Let me give you an example. 

I was sitting at home one particular weekend when 

my sister called me up and invited me to go shopping, 

14


and to the movies with her and some of our other 

friends. I had not planned on going anywhere this 

particular weekend because the only cash I had left 

on me was for my rent, which was due the Monday 

coming up. However, I was bored and really felt like 

getting out of the house. Now, I knew better because 

wisdom told me that I needed to keep a roof over my 

head and spending my rent money for a passing 

moment of fun would be unwise and just plain stupid. 

But, I let my feelings convince me that it would be ok 

and that I could just go get a payday loan for what I 

would spend to cover my rent. So I left the house and 

met my sister, and our friends at the mall. I had a blast 

spending my rent money. Then come Monday I went 

and got a loan for the difference of what I spent of the 

money. I paid my rent and told myself that I would 

pay off the loan with my next check in the following 

two-weeks. I thought that all was well. However, 

within the following two-weeks my car started 

having problems, and then wouldn’t start altogether. 

I had it looked at and I needed a new starter, a battery 

and a rotator cuff. 

Needless to say I was unable to pay off the loan. I had 

to roll it over and increase it for more to cover the 

expense to fix my car. Then within another two weeks 

rent came due again. I stilled owed this payday loan. 

I did not have the money to pay both my rent and the 

loan. So I paid my rent and went to another payday 

loan establishment to cover the first payday loan. I 

was now in a cycle of debt all because I was led by my 

15


feelings and did not use wisdom. Before I knew it, I 

ended up with five un-wanted loans. I had a horrible 

3-year cycle of pain trying to climb my way out of that 

financial pit. I hurt myself and my finances by my lack 

of wisdom. Ecclesiastes 7:12 says, that “wisdom is a 

defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of 

knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have 

it.” Wisdom will defend you and keep you from harm. 

Your feelings will hurt you and lead you astray. If you 

want to succeed get wisdom and get understanding. 

They will never lead you wrong and will be a 

wellspring of life. If you desire wisdom I have listed 

three ways below to increase wisdom in your life for 

your ultimate success. They are: 

#1 Ask God 

#2 Fear God 

#3 Gain Experience 

Ask God 

It sounds so simple, but sometimes we miss out on 

what we need because we just fail to ask. We try too 

often to figure things out on our own. But, if you want 

instructions to make wiser decision for your life all 

you have to do is ask. James 1:5 says, “If any of you 

lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men 

liberally, and upraideth not, and it shall be given him.” 

16


Fear God 

Once you have ask God for wisdom the next step is 

you must fear God. Now the kind of fear I am referring 

to does not involve being frightened or afraid of God, 

but it is a reverential fear. It is a fear out of respect for 

God. Once you ask for God’s wisdom, and instruction 

for your life, you must respect him enough to follow 

them. 

What good is it for you to receives God’s wisdom, and 

knowledge, and still follow your own destructive 

ways, it is dis-respectful to God. It is like a parent who 

gives instructions to their children for the sake of 

their well-being, but the child remains rebellious, and 

does their own thing. “the fear of the Lord is the 

beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and 

instruction,” [Proverbs 1:7]. 

Gain Experience 

Lastly you can get wisdom through gaining 

experience. I would suggest utilizing this means of 

gaining wisdom, as a last resort. You will do best by 

asking God, and simply following his instructions. 

But, you can gain wisdom by the things that you 

experience, and go through. As, in my case, I learned 

through experience that getting myself into debt by 

taking out multiple loans, was an unwise decision. 

Experience is a good teacher. You can learn through 

the things that you have suffered how to make wiser 

decisions in the future, and not make the same 

mistakes. However, if you simply follow God’s 

17


instructions you can save yourself a whole lot of 

heartache. 

Use What You Have 

Not only must you use wisdom in order to succeed 

and experience lasting success, but you must also use 

what you have already been given. Too many times 

we use excuses for why we are not accomplishing the 

things that we ought, or even the things that we 

desire. If I had a dime for every time I heard someone 

use excuses such as, “I will start that business when I 

have the money,” or “I will go back to school to get my 

degree, once all my kids are out of the house”, I’d be 

rich. Were always waiting for the perfect moment or 

the right circumstances. 

The truth is the circumstances may never be right or 

even in your favor. But make a move! The money may 

never come, but make a move! Use what you have. 

Everyone has gifts and talents. They are given to you 

for a purpose. Your purpose was planted within you 

before you were born, and yearns to be released and 

revealed. When you use what you have more will be 

given to you. Proverbs 18:16 says, that “A man’s gift 

maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great 

men.” It is your gifts, your talents, your God given 

purpose that will open doors for you, but that can 

only happen when you use them. Waiting for the right 

moment or right circumstances can mean the death 

of your purpose. Use what you have been given right 

now. 

18


Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “but, thou shalt remember the 

Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get 

wealth.” Everyone in this world has a gift and a talent 

that they have been given. 

There is no excuse or reason that can be given, for not 

using them, especially if you are a child of God. You 

can do it! You already have what you need, and here 

is the good news you are not doing it alone. You have 

God, and he has promised to give you strength to 

handle any task. Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all 

things through Christ who strengthens me.” So you 

see, he does the work through us. 

There is a story about an ordinary man, with a 

remarkable gift named Joseph in the bible. I will tell 

you a little bit about him, and if you want to know 

more you can read about his entire story in the 37 th 

chapter of the book of Genesis. But, this story is about 

how his gift made room for him. Joseph was a 

talented young man. He was a dreamer and he could 

interpret dreams. He lived with his mother and father 

and twelve brothers, and was a herdsman. Joseph 

was well favored by his father, and because of this he 

was hated by all of his brothers. 

So, one day Josephs brothers took hold of him and 

threw him into a pit. Their initial plan was to kill him, 

but they opted instead to sell him, and sold him to the 

Ishmaelite’s. The Ishmaelite’s took him down to 

Egypt, where he was sold as a slave. Now I know what 

you are thinking, that so far Joseph circumstances are 

19


not looking favorable for him. But, let’s continue on 

to see how he handled things. 

So, Joseph was sold as a slave and purchased by 

Potiphar, who was a captain of the guard for Pharaoh, 

the King of Egypt. Joseph served Potiphar well, and 

found favor in his sight. Potiphar trusted Joseph so 

much that he made him overseer over his house and 

all that he had. But, Potiphar had a wife who was 

deceitful and she wanted to sleep with Joseph. Day 

and night she made advances to Joseph, who refused 

her every time. 

At his rejection she became angry and lied on Joseph, 

telling her husband that Joseph raped her. At his 

wife’s false accusations Potiphar had Joseph thrown 

into prison. Now I am sure some of you are thinking 

that how could it get any worse for Joseph. I mean he 

was a good man and doing the right things, and 

working hard. But let’s keep reading. So, Joseph was 

now in prison, and he yet again found favor with the 

guard of the prison and was placed in charge of all the 

prisoners. 

While in prison Joseph met a butler and baker, who 

were prisoners with him. Joseph noticed one day that 

both the butler and baker had a sad countenance on 

their face. Joseph asked them what was the matter. 

Both explained to Joseph that they had dreamed 

disturbing dreams, and was unable to discern what 

their dreams meant. Joseph, knowing his gift and 

willing to be of help asked each of them to tell him 

20


their dream. Joseph interpreted both the butler and 

the bakers dream. 

Joseph explained to the butler that his dream meant 

that he would be released from prison and returned 

back to the palace in three days and continue working 

for the Pharaoh. But, Joseph explained to the baker 

that his dream meant that the Pharaoh was going to 

kill him in three days. The dreams came to pass just 

as Joseph had interpreted they would. Before the 

butler was released from prison Joseph asked the 

butler to remember him and to mention him to the 

king, however the butler forgot about Joseph. 

Not long after the butler was released Pharaoh 

dreamed a dream and was disturbed and could not 

sleep. None of his own wise men could give him the 

interpretation. The butler, then remembering Joseph 

told the Pharaoh, saying there is a Hebrew in prison 

who interpreted my dream, perhaps he could help 

you. So the Pharaoh had his guards release Joseph 

from prison. Joseph was released from prison and 

was now standing before the Pharaoh. Using his Godgiven 

gift, he interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream. As, a 

result of Joseph’s gift the Pharaoh promoted him to 

second in command over all of Egypt, directly under 

himself. Joseph was crowned with glory, riches, and 

honor. His gift made room for him. 

Joseph used his gift while he was in the darkest place 

of his life. He had been cast away by his brothers. He 

had been falsely accused, and thrown into prison. He 

21


was not rich. He did not have any money. He could 

have been bitter about everything that had happened 

in his life, but instead he used what he had been given. 

As, a result God allowed his gift to open doors for him 

and brought him before the King of all of Egypt. So I 

encourage you. Use what you have, no matter where 

you are or what you are going through. Your gift will 

make room for you and create lasting success! 

22


Reference Scriptures On Using Wisdom & Using 

What You Have: 

1) Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is a defense, and 

money is a defense: but the excellency of 

knowledge, is that wisdom giveth life to them 

that have. 

2) Ephesians 5:15-16 Be careful then how you live 

not as unwise, but as wise making the most of 

every opportunity because the days are evil. 

3) Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get 

wisdom than gold and to get understanding 

rather to be chosen than silver. 

4) Proverbs 19:8 The one who gets wisdom loves 

life; the one who cherishes understanding will 

soon prosper. 

5) Proverbs 9: 10 The fear of the Lord is the 

beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the 

Holy one is understanding. 

6) Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; 

therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting 

get understanding. 

23


Chapter 3 

∾ Renew Your Mind ∾ 

Have you ever heard the term stinking 

thinking? I suffered from this mentality for a long 

time, especially when I was in my twenties. I had such 

a negative outlook on life. I thought I was defeated. I 

believed that I was defeated. I felt defeated, and so I 

operated defeated in my life. I had a mentality of fear. 

It crippled me. I did not look forward to anything 

good happening for me. My thinking was if I don’t 

expect anything good to happen, when something 

bad does happen I won’t be dis-appointed because I 

didn’t get my hopes up anyway. 

What a horrible, horrible way to live. This mentality 

cost me dearly. I was insecure, got into all of the 

wrong kinds of relationships, wasted time, lost 

money and the list goes on. I was miserable. Much of 

what we experience is a direct correlation of our 

thought life. Proverbs 23:7 says, “for as a man thinketh 

in his heart so is he.” 

What you believe about yourself will manifest. It will 

manifest in the way that you walk. It will manifest 

itself in the way that you talk. It will manifest in how 

you treat others and allow others to treat you. It will 

even manifest itself in how you spend your money. 

Understand that your success or failure starts first 

with your mind and what you allow in it. The good 

news is that you have control over your thoughts. I 

24


found this out. You don’t have to just wonder 

aimlessly and dwell on any old thing. It’s all a choice. 

You can think ON PURPOSE! 

I discovered that I could transform my life and all I 

had to do was believe. It says in Romans 12:2 “be not 

conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the 

renewing of your mind.” You can re-train your mind. 

So how do I renew my mind? I’m glad you asked. By 

meditating. By replacing negative thought patterns 

with positive ones. This must be done daily. It does 

not happen overnight. The process of meditating 

involves going over a thought over and over again in 

your mind until it sticks. 

What do I mean? Imagine eating a steak. You cut a big 

piece and put it in your mouth and in two bites 

attempt to swallow it. Number one it will be hard to 

swallow and you may choke because it was not 

properly chewed. Number two it will be harder to 

digest because it will require more for your body to 

break down. But, if you take that same piece of steak 

and chew it, and chew it, and chew it, until you break 

it down it will be easy to swallow and it will absorb 

and digest more quickly. Meditation is the same way, 

but make sure you are meditating on the right 

thoughts. Remember we are getting away from 

stinking thinking. 

What should you meditate on? Philippians 4:8 says 

“finally brethren whatsoever things are true, 

whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are 

25


just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things 

are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if 

there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on 

these things.” The moment I stopped believing I was 

defeated and started believing I could do all things 

through Christ who strengthens me my life began to 

change. Again this was not an overnight process, but 

I committed to become the change that I wanted to 

see. 

So I believed better. I spoke better, and I started living 

better. I believed I could do everything God said I 

could. I spoke the word, his word, daily, and out loud. 

And with time I began to experience change. What 

tried to defeat me became my purpose. Now the fight 

did not stop there. Just because I began to renew my 

mind did not mean that those negative thoughts 

automatically dis-appeared. It did not mean that 

circumstances did not arise to challenge my peace of 

mind. It meant I had to purposely rebuke those 

negative thoughts that did not belong to me and cast 

them out of my mind. 

What do I mean. Well the word of God tells us that 

every good thing comes from above, even thoughts. 

So you must understand that when something 

unpleasant enters your mind it is not from above, and 

you have the right to refuse to think on it. How do I 

refuse unpleasant thoughts, you ask? You fight it with 

the word of God. 2nd Corinthians 10:5 says “Casting 

down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts 

26


itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into 

captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 

So you see you have the power to cast out wrong 

thoughts. Imagine going to a restaurant and ordering 

a hamburger, and the waiter comes back and hands 

you a chicken sandwich. You don’t just say well I 

know I ordered a burger, but I’ll go ahead and just eat 

this chicken sandwich. No! You send it back. You have 

a right to because #1, that’s not what you ordered, 

and #2, you are paying for, and it would be stupid to 

pay for something that you did not order. Yet, we do 

this with our lives. We have negative outlooks, and 

then when the fruit of our negative outlooks produce 

harvest in our lives we get mad and say I did not 

order that. If you want to see good in your life you 

must make it happen on purpose. It’s up to you. You 

get what you pay for. Your thoughts are the currency 

for your life. So make the decision. Start right now. 

Renew your mind, and change your life and you will 

always have lasting success. 

27


Reference Scriptures On Renewing Your Mind: 

1) Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” 

2) Romans 12:12 “And be not conformed to this 

world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of 

your mind, that ye may prove what the will of God 

is, that which is good, and acceptable, and 

perfect. 

3) Ephesians 4:23 “And that you be renewed in the 

spirit of your mind.” 

4) Isaiah 40:30-31 “They that wait on the Lord shall 

renew their strength; they shall mount upon 

wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; 

they shall walk and not faint.” 

5) 2 nd Corinthians 4:16 Therefore, we do not lose 

heart, but though our outer man perish, our inner 

man is being renewed day by day. 

28


Chapter 4 

∾ Patience Is Key ∾ 

Have you ever planted a flower seed in the 

ground and came back the next day expecting it to be 

in full bloom? No, of course not that would be crazy, 

right. We know and understand that there are laws of 

nature and that time is required for things to grow. It 

is called patience. We seem to grasp this law of 

patience when it comes to the things of nature, but we 

get stuck sometimes when it applies to our lives. 

Especially since we live in a society of quick fixes, 

quick meals, quick relationships, quick degree 

programs, quick cars, quick divorces and so on. 

Too many times we perceive patience as the enemy. 

Why should I have to wait. I don’t like waiting. As, a 

matter of fact no one I know likes to wait. Waiting 

seems inconvenient. Especially when it comes to our 

success. We want to get set in motion and we want to 

take the fastest route possible. But there is purpose 

in waiting. James 1: 4-8 says “but, let patience have her 

perfect work, that ye may be perfect, and entire, 

wanting nothing.” The number one reason why 

people are lacking and still in want is because of a 

lack of patience, an inability to wait. Growth comes 

through patience, and when we are un-willing to 

exercise patience what we are saying is that we do 

not desire to grow. We don’t want to be entire. Entire 

is whole. Complete. A finished work. 

29


Here is an example. A man plants his seed into a 

woman. She conceives and becomes pregnant. The 

woman realizes that she is with child and is now in 

expectation for her baby. She is not expecting her 

baby to be born the day after she finds out she was 

pregnant. But, now a process of growth begins. This 

growth process is important from start to finish for 

the baby to be entire and full-term. This process of 

growth has 3 stages. It has the first, second, and third 

trimester. Each stage of growth in these trimesters 

are vital for the development of the baby. One cannot 

be skipped before the other. 

The woman, although she is unable to see what see 

is carrying must take steps necessary to ensure the 

health and safety of her unborn child. She must eat 

right. She must get the proper amount of sleep. She 

must not allow herself to become stressed. She must 

not drink and smoke. She must do all of these things 

to ensure that when she gives birth her baby will be 

healthy and full-term. In the first trimester a woman’s 

uterus begins to support the placenta and growing 

fetus. Her body increases its blood supply to carry 

oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby. By the 

third month the baby will have developed its organs. 

Many Doctors will tell you that the first trimester is the 

most crucial and it is important for women to maintain a 

healthy diet in order to help prevent any neural tube 

defects. In the second trimester the baby now has 

functioning organs, muscle, and nerves. At this stage the 

baby’s arms and legs have almost reached their relative 

30


length they’ll be at birth and the baby’s sex may also be 

apparent. By week fifteen of the second trimester the 

baby starts to develop bones. In the third and last 

trimester the baby’s skin will develop as well as the fat 

under the skin. He or she will also be able to hear and the 

lungs will develop. Now once the final stages of growth 

have been reached the baby will be ready to be born. 

So just like a pregnant woman you are literally 

preparing to give birth. You are literally pregnant 

with your purpose and it must be developed. It takes 

time to be developed. So many times we want the 

whole picture all at once. But, if you want lasting 

success, and not fleeting moments you must embrace 

each stage of the process with patience. Just like with 

a woman. You must understand what trimester you 

are in with your purpose and not become impatient 

trying to get to the due date prematurely. If a woman 

goes into labor before she is due and her baby is born, 

it will be lacking. The lungs may not be fully 

developed or the hearing may not be at its full 

capacity. The baby most likely will need to be put on 

a ventilator or the baby could die. 

Many of us have promises that are hanging on by a 

thread being kept alive on a ventilator because of an 

impatience to wait. Patience is necessary for full term 

growth. I don’t know about you but I do not want 

premature success because of an un-willingness to 

wait and go through each stage of development. 

I watched a show on television one night about this 

troubled rich kid. He was in and out of trouble and at 

31


the time of the taping he was seventeen. But, his 

father shared the story of when his son was fourteen. 

It was his son’s fourteenth birthday and his dad 

bought him a very expensive Porsche. It was red and 

was fully loaded. He promised his son this car and 

told him when you turn sixteen I will take you to get 

your license, and then you can drive it. But the son 

could not wait. He would go to that garage and just 

daydream looking at that car. 

One day his parents left him home to watch his little 

sister while they ran some errands. The young boy 

now felt like he had an opportunity. He went into his 

parent’s room, found the keys to the car, took his 

sister with him, started the car, and went for a ride. 

Needless, to say they crashed. The car was totaled, 

and both he and his sister were injured. All of this 

because, he refused to wait. The car already belonged 

to him. His dad had already began taking him on 

driving lesson to prepare him for that time, but he 

couldn’t wait. 

It is like this with us sometimes. God gives us 

promises, but there is a season for it. We get in a 

hurry, become impatient and then try to intervene on 

our own, causing more harm than good. We must 

learn to wait. Patience shows maturity. I am sure that 

I am not the only person that has witnessed an 

incident like the one I’m about to tell you about. 

I was standing in line at a grocery store one day. 

There was a mother in front of me with her two 

32


children, and she was hurriedly trying to remove her 

groceries from her basket onto the counter. She 

grabbed a pack of cookies from the cart and put them 

on the counter and kept moving along grabbing one 

thing after the other. Her youngest child, who looked 

to be no more than two saw the cookies and 

immediately began begging his mom for one. “Cook, 

cook mommy,” he said. “I want a cook, cook.” I could 

tell that she was already frustrated. “Wait until we get 

in the car honey, she replied. “Mommy will give you a 

cookie when we get in the car.” 

But, like most two year olds he was not having that, 

and out came the tantrum. He kicked and he 

screamed and was all over the floor. Embarrassed, his 

mother grabbed the cookies from the bag and gave 

him one. He could not wait, because, as a child they 

have not yet developed a level of maturity to 

understand the need for patience. Children are still 

growing, so in their learning process this kind of 

behavior can be expected of them. 

However, as adults we should have come to some 

level of maturity and understand that there is a need 

to be patient. Impatience is childish behavior, and 

when you can’t wait you are acting just like that twoyear 

old in the store. There is no need to get in a hurry 

for something that already belongs to you. 

As a believer success already belongs to you. Be 

patient in the process as you move forward. Trust 

God, knowing that he is faithful that promised. 

33


Embrace patience. Let her have her perfect work and 

you will live in success that will last for a lifetime! 

34


Reference Scriptures On Patience 

1) 2 nd Timothy 6:11 But thou hast fully known my 

doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, 

longsuffering, charity, patience. 

2) Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but 

followers of them who through faith and 

patience inherit the promises. 

3) Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, 

that after ye have done the will of God, ye might 

receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36 

4) James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect 

work, that ye may be perfect and entire, 

wanting nothing. 

5) James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto 

the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman 

waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and 

hath long patience for it, until he receive the 

early and latter rain. 

35


Chapter 5 

∾ Oppose Opposition with Praise ∾ 

We live in a world where we are surrounded by 

all kinds of negativity and opposition. Opposition of 

poverty, stress, division, hatred, envy, strife, and 

more. The enemy tries to keep us stagnant and 

paralyzed with fear. He tries to get us to verbalize and 

speak out that fear through doubt, and complaining. 

Yes. There is an enemy that exist and he uses these 

forces to try and thwart the plans and purposes of 

God. John 10:10 says “the thief cometh not, but for to 

steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they 

might have life, and that they might have it more 

abundantly.” 

How many times have you tried to move forward in 

something only to come up against a roadblock or 

setback that tried to keep you from succeeding? If you 

want to succeed and live abundantly as Christ died 

for us to you must learn how to stand and oppose the 

enemy. James 4:7 says “submit yourselves therefore to 

God. Resists the devil and he will flee from you.” How 

do we do that? By utilizing praise. Praise is a weapon 

that we have been given by God to oppose and resist 

the enemy. Praise is simply giving thanks to God. 

Praise is a state of mind, and it is a lifestyle that we 

should live in every day. Praise focuses on God, the 

problem solver, rather than focusing on the problem. 

36


Often times we are defeated by our opposition, and 

don’t move forward in our purpose, because we are 

paying too much attention to our opponent. Giving 

attention to opposition is like being chased by an unarmed 

man, running in fear when you have a gun on 

you. Praise is your weapon. 

The enemy wants you to give praise to him, and you 

do every time you focus on him, and give him credit 

for the strife he is causing. Stop giving the enemy a 

place in your life. Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give 

place to the devil.” Whenever you are in doubt, you 

give him a place. When you complain, you give him a 

place. Whenever you operate by how you feel, instead 

of continuing to follow God’s word, you give him a 

place in your life to continually wreak havoc. 

But if you will praise God no matter what the enemy 

conjures up, I guarantee you will succeed every time. 

Praise is an attitude that can elevate your altitude. 

Praise is a weapon and it confounds and confuses the 

enemy. In 2 nd Chronicles there was a king by the 

name of Jehoshaphat who reigned over Judah for 

twenty -five years. In verse 1-2 of second Chronicles 

King Jehoshaphat was faced with a crisis it says, “it 

came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, 

and the children of Ammon, and with them other 

beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to 

battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat 

saying, there cometh a great multitude against thee 

from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and behold they 

be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.” 

37


So Jehoshaphat had three armies coming against him 

to fight. And verse 3 goes on further to say, “And 

Jehoshaphat feared.” So Jehoshaphat was afraid, and 

many times like Jehoshaphat when we are faced with 

opposition and surrounded by enemies we are afraid 

too. But I like what Jehoshaphat did next. He did not 

stay stuck in fear, what he did next is profound. It 

further reads in verse 3 saying, “Jehoshaphat set 

himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast 

throughout all Judah.” Jehoshaphat did not just stay in 

the place of fear, no he knew that he had an ally in 

God. He knew that he was not alone, and so he made 

the wisest choice he could make. Jehoshaphat sought 

the Lord. 

And God answered Jehoshaphat and all of Judah and 

said to them do not fear that the battle was not theirs 

to fight, but his. So we will go down to verse 20-23 to 

see what the outcome of this battle was. And so it says 

in verses 21-24, “And when he had consulted with the 

people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that 

they should praise the beauty of his holiness, as they 

went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; 

for his mercy endureth forever.” And when they began 

to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments 

against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, 

which were come against Judah and they were 

smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood 

up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to slay 

and destroy them: and when they had made an end of 

the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy each 

other. And when Judah came toward the watch tower 

38


in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and 

behold they were dead bodies fallen to the earth and 

none escaped.” So do you see what happened? Judah 

won the battle and they did not even have to fight. 

God confused their enemies because they set 

themselves to praise. God had their enemies turn on 

themselves and not one of them escaped. So the next 

time you are faced with any opposition towards your 

purpose or you are being threatened by fear, don’t 

complain. Remember your weapons and stand still 

and began to praise God. In this way you will oppose 

and defeat the enemy. Give praise to God and the 

enemy is sure to flee. So keep praising and you will 

succeed every time! 

39


Reference Scriptures On Opposing Opposition 

1) James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

2) Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. 

3) Psalm 150:6 Let everything that hath breath 

praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. 

4) Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the Lord! For it is good to 

sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and 

praise is comely. 

5) Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you authority to 

trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all 

the power of the enemy, and nothing by any 

means shall hurt you. 

40


Chapter 6 

∾ Stay in Your Own Lane ∾ 

I witnessed a very bad car accident some years 

ago that involved two cars. The driver of the first 

vehicle had been speeding and was swerving in and 

out of lanes. He did this for about 10 blocks. Many 

other drivers, including myself tried avoiding his 

wreck-less behavior by either slowing down or 

getting out of the way. However, he continued to 

drive at full speed and attempted to swerve yet again 

into the other lane. He wanted to pass someone in 

front of him that I am sure he thought was driving to 

slow. He sped up and swerved into the other lane, and 

losing control he crashed into another car, injuring 

himself and the other driver. Had, he stayed in his 

own lane he would not have lost control. 

It is important for us to stay in our own lanes not only 

when we are driving, but in our lives. Too many times 

we crash and burn because we are trying to drive in 

someone else’s lane. The purpose in which God has 

for you, is exactly that. It is for YOU! You cannot 

succeed and fulfill your purpose if you are trying to 

live in someone else’s shoes or pattern after someone 

else’s life. 

It’s hard to get away from sometimes, especially with 

all of these subliminal messages and images on t.v. 

telling you what your weight should be or how you 

should look to be beautiful. We spend too much time 

41


trying to keep up with other people. This is why many 

times we don’t find the time to keep up with our own 

God given purpose. We spend time on social media 

trying to keep up with the Kardashian’s or Facebook, 

or whomever. We stay busy trying to see what is 

going on in someone else’s life. Not understanding 

that if we would take the time, and use our social 

media energy or watching t.v. energy to live on 

purpose helping others, we would not have time to be 

in others lanes, and we could truly make a difference. 

I struggled with driving in others lane for years. I 

suffered from low self-worth. I felt as though I was 

lacking because I believed lies. I believed the 

stereotypes I allowed others to place on me. I 

believed that I was nothing more than a single mom 

and that the reason why I was not yet married was 

because I was not pretty enough. I thought something 

was wrong with me because I had rejection issues 

from the men in my life who refused to commit to me. 

So I started trying to be like other girls. I would look 

at my friends and whatever it looked like they did to 

get and keep their man, I did. 

I followed people on t.v. I did not allow myself to truly 

be who I was because I felt like no one really believed 

in me. The problem was I did not believe in myself. I 

did this for years. I did not use my gifts and talents. I 

was afraid to be me. So I tried to be like Sarah, Alicia, 

or Cheyenne, and whomever seemed like they were 

living this grand life that I thought I wanted. I would 

compare myself negatively to others. I didn’t 

42


appreciate at that time who God created me to be. 

Never mind that I could sing, and write, and play the 

piano, and run a business, and give, and love. I could 

truly love on people even if you hurt me. I held no 

grudges. 

I was always talented, and still am. But, I did not 

believe it. I thought I was lacking. I had let my 

circumstances, and bad decisions lie to me about who 

I was, and my true worth. As, a result I was swerving 

in others lanes and pretty soon I found myself 

crashing multiple times. What I failed to realize is that 

by trying to be like someone else I was robbing 

myself of all of the blessings God already had outlined 

for me, Charity. I could not receive Charity’s blessings 

because I was too busy trying to receive Sarah’s 

blessing, but Sarah’s blessings were for her. Not only 

was I robbing myself but I was robbing those people 

who God called me to in my purpose. 

Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I 

knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I 

appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God has 

made each one of you unique and no else can beat you 

at being you. The only way you can truly succeed and 

fulfill your purpose is you have to be comfortable in 

your own skin and celebrate the you that God created. 

You don’t do so in a form of selfishness or conceit. 

But, in humbleness and gratitude thank God for 

allowing you to be used as a vessel for his glory. And 

understand that it is not really about any of us 

anyway. It is all for his glory. We can simply be tools 

43


if we so choose to be used. But, we can’t do it trying 

to be someone else. 

What if Jesus would have tried to do Paul’s job and 

decided not to be Jesus and did not die on the cross. 

We would all be lost. But thank God Jesus fulfilled his 

calling and stayed in his lane. There is a reason that 

you are you. Be the best you that God has created you 

to be. Once I came into this truth then I began driving 

straight ahead and I could press toward the mark, my 

mark the one God set before me. I no longer have to 

worry about crashing and burning because I am not 

concerned with trying to drive in someone else’s lane. 

It’s straight ahead to success for me. How about you? 

44


Reference Scriptures for Stay in Your Lane 

1) Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I 

knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of 

the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee 

a prophet unto the nations. 

2) 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make 

ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves 

with some that commend themselves: but they 

measuring themselves by themselves, and 

comparing themselves among themselves, are 

not wise. 

3) 1 Corinthians 1:31 That, according as it is 

written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the 

Lord 

4) 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And aspire to live 

quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to 

work with your hands, as we instructed you. So 

that you may walk properly before outsiders 

and be dependent on no one. 

5) Romans 4:12 So then each of us will give an 

account of himself to God. 

45


Chapter 7 

∾ Endure Until the Finish ∾ 

It doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you 

finish, or rather, if you finish. How many of you have 

had good intentions and you start something only to 

get distracted, tired, or fed up, and abandon ship. 

Well in this walk of pressing towards lasting success 

and fulfilling purpose you must be willing to finish. 

The only way to get to the finish line of this race you 

must endure. What is endurance? Endurance is the 

ability to tolerate and suffer patiently through 

difficulty and unpleasant circumstances without 

quitting or giving up. A person who endures has the 

capacity to withstand wear and tear and keep going. 

Many have started well, and many have even started 

strong but the question is can you endure until the 

finish. Matthew 24:13 says, “but he that shall endure 

unto the end the same shall be saved.” 

We live in a society now where many people do not 

have the ability to withstand anything. The moment 

something does not go our way we want to give up 

and quit, and some of you do. But you still want the 

prize that comes only with the finish. Many of you are 

lacking simply because you have refused to endure. 

When I first graduated from high school I 

immediately entered into college. However, in the 

beginning I was not focused and I played around most 

of the time I was there. I skipped classes a lot and 

46


hung out with friends. It affected my grades and 

pretty soon I was failing. I lost my financial aid and 

was now faced with having to pay my own way 

through school because of my negligence. 

I wanted my degree. I sincerely did. But I was not 

serious enough about it at the time. I did not have the 

ability to endure. I could not endure the homework, 

and endure sitting through boring classes listening to 

the lectures. I could not endure reading through my 

lessons. All those things were unpleasant. I wanted to 

have fun, but still wanted the prize of that degree. 

Pretty soon I dropped out. Why? Because, quitting is 

easy. Giving up does not require anything of you. It 

does not require your sweat, your money, your tears 

or your sacrifice. Endurance requires commitment. 

Commitment is a choice. I chose rather, to commit to 

what felt fun at the time, rather than enduring 

through the hard work. 

What I wanted was instant gratification, a quick fix 

without the hard work involved. But deep down I still 

wanted my degree. But lasting success does not work 

like that, and this is where we have been deceived 

with this society that has given us a “Burger King” 

mentality that, “you can “have it your way.” You can 

have it your way, but you will lose in doing so. It 

wasn’t until I had my son, that I realized, that for him 

I needed to do better and I wanted to. I re-enrolled 

back in college and set up a payment plan to pay for 

school. I was doing good and my grades were looking 

47


good, but I struggled with math. I just couldn’t seem 

to grasp it. 

I passed all of my classes and failed math. I moved on 

to the next semester, and again I was doing great and 

pushing forward. I passed all of my classes, but I 

failed math again the second time. And the third time, 

and the fourth time. I had some so called friends at 

the time, who kept telling me that maybe college 

wasn’t for me since I couldn’t pass math. They told me 

that I should just give up altogether. But I was 

determined this time not to quit and give up. No 

matter what. It was hard. I was working full time. 

Going to school full time and raising a son on my own, 

but I wanted it and committed to endure until I 

obtained my degree. I did not care how long it would 

take me. I wanted to walk across that stage, and with 

time and consistent effort I did! 

It took me 7 years to finish my degree. It took me four 

failed attempts to try and pass math, but on my fifth 

attempt I nailed it. So, in May of 2012 I graduated 

from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of 

Science in Criminal Justice. Not because I was the 

prettiest, not because I was the smartest, but because 

I simply endured. I did not give up. I had many 

sleepless nights. Many nights I went to bed crying 

because I had not seen my infant son all day and he 

would be asleep by the time I got home. Many times I 

cried because I felt overwhelmed and alone. But I 

endured and the joy that I experienced walking 

48


across that stage knowing what it took to get there 

cannot be described. 

Endurance is key to this process of lasting success. 

Not just in education but with our love relationships, 

finances, and more. We have to learn how to endure 

in every area of our lives. We must learn how to 

endure with people and those we love without 

quitting, giving up on them and walking away. This is 

why there are so many broken homes and families. 

People give up too soon, but still desire to be 

connected and have loving family relationships. It 

grieves me to see so many broken families, but it is 

simply people who could not endure. 

Many couples start off well, and again with good 

intentions, and, oh how we claim to be in love. But the 

true test comes not when things are going well, but 

when it appears that all hell is breaking loose. Can 

you hang on when he is now getting on your nerves, 

and the honeymoon phase is over? Can you endure 

when all you seem to be doing lately is arguing or 

maybe you are not even talking at all. Can you endure 

with each other when the money gets a little funny, 

or the kids are acting up? Can you endure? 

The scripture says those who cannot endure are 

likened to a weak man. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If thou 

faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” It is 

not about how big, strong, good looking, intelligent, 

or savvy you are. It is simple. Can you hold on. Most 

times the real reason why we are unable to endure 

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with each other is because of selfishness. We become 

concerned with Me. Me. Me. We don’t desire to 

sacrifice ourselves for the well-being of others. We 

don’t want to experience pain and be uncomfortable. 

But lasting success and living on purpose calls you to 

lay down your life for the sake of others. But when we 

choose not to endure for the sake of each other we 

suffer. 

When husbands and wives call it quits and decide no 

longer to endure with each other there will be 

suffering emotionally, financially spiritually and 

psychologically. If affects everyone involved, 

especially the children. When a man decides not to 

commit to a woman and leaves her to raise his 

children on her own they suffer. It places a greater 

burden on her and them. Endurance is necessary for 

lasting success all across the board. But it does 

require a willingness to sacrifice. But the prize is 

always worth the sacrifice. 

You can’t desire to have a solid relationship and a 

good family without being willing to sacrifice and put 

in the work. Endurance is weathering through the 

seasons of life. Sometimes it will be summer and the 

sun will shine, and things may be going great in your 

life. But the season will change. Winter will come in 

your life. It may get cold, and bitter, and may feel 

unbearable at times, but endure. Life has seasons. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,” To everything there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” We 

must learn how to endure and weather through every 

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season of life with each other. Especially if we want 

our families to thrive. 

Take Jesus for example, who endured the cross so 

that we could be saved and have eternal life. He 

sacrificed and endured for our well-being, because of 

his love for us. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus 

the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that 

was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the 

shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the 

throne of God.” Christ endured because he focused on 

the prize. He endured by choice. You can choose to 

quit. But, he focused on the joy that was set before 

him, which was our salvation. 

He endured for purpose. He endured for his love for 

us. Likewise, we are to endure if we want to succeed 

and fulfill our purpose. You may be in your summer, 

and sunny season today with your loved ones. But 

don’t bail out on them when the winter season comes, 

and trust me it will come. Endure. Hold on. The 

storms of life don’t last always. You cannot 

experience the flowers of May without the rain. So 

keep the faith. Don’t give up. Hold on. Endure, and in 

doing so you will always finish strong! 

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Reference Scriptures on Endurance 

1) Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto 

the end, the same shall be saved. 

2) 2 nd Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure 

hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 

Timothy 2:3 

3) James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which 

endure. Ye have heard of the patience of job, 

and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord 

is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

4) 1 st Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man 

for conscience toward God endure grief, 

suffering wrongfully. 

5) 2 nd Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, 

endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, 

make full proof of thy ministry. 

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About the Author 

Charity McGee is an Author, Motivational Speaker, 

and Life Coach from Wichita, KS. She is the Founder & 

CEO of N-Spired Inc., a non-profit organization that 

provides mentorship, and educational support 

services to women, from a self-esteem based 

approach. When Charity is not busy writing she can 

be found enjoying her passions of singing, playing the 

piano, and spending time with her family. Charity 

currently resides in Wichita with her family. 

To Book Charity for your next speaking event you may 

email her at: www.mcgee2350@gmail.com or you may 

reach her by phone at (316) 670-0684. 

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