Be A Lion

Consider with me for a moment two animals; the lion and the elephant. Both have a purpose, and both have the freedom to roam the land. Both have strengths, and both can dominate if they choose to. The elephant, however, is more intelligent than a lion.

Elephants’ intelligence has been studied for years. Researchers have shown that aside from showing empathy, trainability, and social intelligence, an elephant has a photographic memory. The elephant is stronger. It is considered one of the top ten strongest animals on the planet. The elephant is obviously much larger than the lion. Why is it then, that the lion is called the ‘king of the jungle”?

I believe it’s due to one word: Attitude.

Wherever the lion goes, he or she is fearless, confident, and free. When the lion sees an elephant, he does not compare himself to the elephant’s size, the elephant’s strength, or the elephant’s intelligence. On the contrary, when a lion sees an elephant, he says, “I can eat that!” When the elephant sees the lion, he feels, sees, and hears the lion’s confident “I Can” attitude. He does not remember his strength, intelligence, or size, for the “I can” attitude of the lion speaks over all of that. When the elephant sees the lion, he knows “he or she can eat me.”

Attitude, mentality, and intention are more powerful than anything physical, for all three of these exist in our minds.

The thoughts of the mind bring life into reality.

What I believe about myself, what you believe about yourself, and what even the lion believes of himself determines the outcome of our lives. The mindset or attitude we carry about ourselves speaks much louder than our actions do. So let’s take a minute to look at two powerful attitudes: I Can, and I Am.

I AM

Who are you?

Not, what job have you done in life, what works have you accomplished, or what role you play in your family – but who are you?

As you ponder this thought, I want to take you to Life’s Playbook so you can see the confession of the belief that you can declare: I AM.

I Am a child of God (John 1:12)

I Am the Creator’s own (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I Am a friend of Christ’s (John 15:15)

I Am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I Am filled by the All-knowing (Colossians 1:27)

I Am chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)

I Am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)

I Am established as His own (Ephesians 1:5)

I Am a victor (1 Corinthians 15:57)

I Am born again (I Peter 1:23) 

I Am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I Am delivered (Colossians 1:13)

I Am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)

I Am priceless (Ephesians 2:13)

I Am peace (Ephesians 2:14)

I AM light (Philippines 2:15)

I AM of sound mind (1Timothy 1:7)

I Am in communication with the All-knowing (Ephesians 2:18)

I Am a super overcomer (Romans 8:37)

I Am solid (Ephesians 2:20)

I Am strong (Ephesians 6:10)

You and I are
more powerful,
more power-filled,
more purpose placed

then we may ever know, but it is a privilege for us to spend time learning who God says we are and then simply adopting that mindset as our own. We can get to the place where we are unmoved, unshaken, and undisturbed about who we are if we want to.  Be a lion, confident in who you are!

I CAN

The “I can” attitude is not an unfamiliar term to many. Most of us know the Declaration of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.