STP The Racer’s Edge   

We must learn to live on the heavenly side and look at things from above. To contemplate all things as God sees them, as Christ beholds them, overcomes sin, defies Satan, dissolves perplexities, lifts us above trials, separates us from the world and conquers fear of death. A.B. Simpson

Many of you have heard of STP motor oil.  It was described as the racer’s edge in motor car racing circles and this logo and saying were used frequently on stickers and signs.  If you used STP it was stated that it would help your engine run smoother and give you the winning edge over the competition.

I was thinking about this the other day and thought what a great acronym this would be as a reminder of what God does in our lives during trials.  Here is my take on STP.

“S” would stand for Stop. When a trial happens in your life stop everything. Stop what you are doing and think about the trial.  Most often when trials come our way we go into survival mode.  We often don’t stop to think about what God might be trying to teach us through this trial.

“T” would stand for Think.  Think about what God is trying to teach you through this trial.  Take the trial and break it down.  Is the trial something that you can use to help others.  Is it teaching you patience or perseverance?  Is it giving you experience that can be used to help others come to know Christ?

“P” would stand for Pray.  Pray about the things you can learn about God through this trial. Pray that God will use this trial for His Glory.  Ask Him to teach you how to use it for his benefit to show others what the love of Christ is all about.

Just like your car engine needs oil to run at optimum performance in a race, so we also need STP to run the Christian race and have the winning edge over everything Satan throws our way.    

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, too many times I am quick to immediately go into survival mode and try to fix whatever the trial is instead of taking the time to understand the bigger picture of what you are trying to teach me.  Please help me to stop, think and pray before I move forward.  It might help me to see the trial as the blessing it can be in my life.  

Scripture:   My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:2-8