Winning in the second half

Welcome to the beginning of the second half of the year, that time of the year where frustration begins to set in and hope begins to diminish. Nearly everyone begins the year with high hopes and a lot of expectations believing that the New Year holds new promises of breakthrough and fulfilment of dreams. It […]

Welcome to the beginning of the second half of the year, that time of the year where frustration begins to set in and hope begins to diminish. Nearly everyone begins the year with high hopes and a lot of expectations believing that the New Year holds new promises of breakthrough and fulfilment of dreams.

It is not always that things go according to plan. Some things are programmed to happen at the beginning, others at the middle and yet others at the end of the year.

Half-time or the break period is essential in every game. This is the time to look at the scoreboard, check goals and see how far. This is the time to review strategies and make necessary corrections towards reaching your goal. This is the time to add or drop a member of the team depending on what’s needed. This is the time to find out what worked and what did not. This is time to ask what have I learnt?

Half-time is the time to give up or grow up. This is the time to put the experience gained in the first-half to use in the second-half.

Many teams down at half-time have been known to come back strongly and win in the second-half. You are about to enter into the most exciting second-half of the year till date!

Fresh instructions are issued to players at half-time but they must obey these instructions if they are to win.

If you are going to win in the second-half you will have to make mid-course assessment and adjustment for optimum performance.

7 things that will guarantee success in second-half

Let’s look at the acronym C.H.A.N.G.E.S.

1.    Check. Check the scoreboard; how well did you perform regarding your goals? Are you winning or losing? Take stock if you don’t want to be stuck.

Check your plans for three things. How good is it? How well are you following it? What needs to be changed? Who do you need to drop and who should come in? One of the things coaches and players look out for during the break is how well instructions were followed.

2.    Hope. Do not lose hope regardless of what the result is at half time.

Have faith in God. Believe in God; believe in yourself. If you want to move mountains, trust God. David was the only one who believed he could bring down Goliath; he did! Believe the word of God. Expect prophecies to be fulfilled in your life.

3.    Advice. Get some advice. Every champion needs a coach. “Listen to counsel and receive instruction that you may be wise.” Proverbs 19:20. Get fresh instruction. Consult an experienced person to discourse your plans. God can use such a person to show you the flaws in your plan and help you to make necessary adjustments. Read the books of those who are ahead of you; you will discover cheap ways of moving faster to your destination.

4.    New. Change is impossible without doing something different. Do something new. Make new choices.

Learn from your mistakes. “The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.” John Maxwell.

5.    Godliness. Godliness is profitable unto all things. 1Tim 4:8. Get. Get closer to God. Get fresh oil. Get fresh oil. You are human, you run out energy after working for so long. Spend time in prayer and fasting. Isa 40:31. God wants to refill you for the rest of the year. Keep the commands of God.

6.    Endure. Persevere. Victory belongs to the most persevering.  – Napoleon Bonaparte. Persevere in your giving, praying and work.

7.    Serve God, and humanity. Get busy for God.  Win souls, invite people to church, join an activity group, etc. Sow financial seeds… of perfection, completion and restoration. Be committed to tithing. Pay your vows.

Many years ago, one of our cars was not performing well. It was smoking a little bit and soaking the plugs with engine oil. The mechanic kept cleaning the plugs each time. He even put something on top of the plugs to keep them from soaking oil.

It did not work and it was very frustrating. As long as we kept doing the same thing, we were not going to get a different result. The alternative of course was to change the entire engine but that was going to cost money; much money. But it was obvious that if we wanted rest we had to pay a higher price. This explains why many people find it difficult to change their results: change is costly.

The word for the second half of the year is CHANGE. Positive change leads to improvement and progress. Sit down now and make changes in your lifestyle. Your reward will be unimaginably huge! The world is waiting for the manifestation of your greatness.

Rev. (Dr) Olowojoba is the Snr. Pastor of  Dayspring Bible Church, Sabon-Lugbe, Abuja  & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries International. e.mail: [email protected]