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Craig Groeschel’s 3 Steps for Finding Your Words to Live By

Finds Team • 11 minutes

Do you ever make new, soon-to-fail resolutions for a new year, birthday, anniversary, new financial year, or after bad medical news? Then, negative thoughts like, “I can’t keep this up,” and, “I never finish,” start tripping up your new routine. Eventually, you look up, and you’ve backtracked to nothing more than good intentions. We’ve all done this.

By the end of this three-step plan, you will have discovered new Words to Live By. Unlike many upstart resolutions, these daily declarations will renew your mind in a way that lasts. Here are Pastor Craig Groeschel’s three steps for finding your Words to Live By.

Step One

Watch the the video below, and If you haven’t yet, watch Pastor Craig’s Words to Live By message. You’ll also want to schedule a meeting with yourself to complete step two.

Step Two

Get practical with step two in this next video. Then, answer the two questions below. Keep scrolling down through the example Words to Live By to find the spiritual truths you need to answer question two. These are the beginnings of your new Words to Live By.

  1. What negative thoughts are dominating your thinking?
  2. What spiritual truth will demolish these strongholds?

Step Three

Watch the third and final clip below. Revisit the spiritual truths you gathered in step two, and make them your own. If you need to add or change any, just use the list below to find the truths you need. Most importantly, start declaring these truths daily.

The Bible Plan

In this video-based Bible Plan, Pastor Craig will guide you through creating your own Words to Live By. It’s similar to what’s available here, but spread over three days and available in the Bible App.

START THE WORDS TO LIVE BY BIBLE PLAN

Example Words to Live By

Sort through each section to find the biblical truths you need to renew your mind and fight back against negative thinking.

Pastor Craig’s Words to Live By

  • Jesus is first in my life. I exist to serve and glorify Him.
  • I love my wife and will lay down my life to serve her.
  • My children will love God and serve Him with their whole hearts. I will nurture, equip, train, and empower them to do more for His kingdom than they can imagine.
  • I love people and believe the best about others.
  • I am disciplined. Christ in me is stronger than the wrong desires in me.
  • I am growing closer to Jesus every day. Because of Christ, my family is closer, my body is stronger, my faith is deeper, my leadership is sharper.
  • I am anointed, empowered, equipped and called to reach people far from God.
  • I am creative, innovative, driven, focused, and blessed beyond measure—because the Holy Spirit dwells within me.
  • I develop leaders. That’s not something I do. It’s who I am.
  • My words, thoughts, and imaginations are under the power of Christ. I take all thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.
  • I wake up with purpose, direction, and meaning every day of my life.
  • Pain is my friend. I rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for me.
  • I bring my best and then some. It’s what I bring after I do my best that makes the difference.
  • The world will be different and better because I served Jesus today.

Because of Jesus …

  • I am a child of God. (Galatians 3:26)
  • I am a spiritual contributor, not a spiritual consumer.
  • I am alive. (Romans 6:11)
  • I am a faith-filled, life-speaking, fully devoted follower of Christ.
  • I am Christ’s ambassador. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
  • I am a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
  • I am content in Christ alone.
  • I am chosen. (Ephesians 1:4)
  • I am determined to love God and people with everything I have.
  • I am a child of God. (John 1:12-13)
  • I am strengthened by God who upholds me, protects me, and defends me.
  • I am joyful. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • I am gentle. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • I am not easily offended and will not hold onto bitterness.
  • I am patient. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • I am faithful. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • I am self-controlled. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • I am kind. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • I am known—even before I was born. (Jeremiah 1:5)
  • I am steady. (Psalm 91:1)
  • I am not alone—God is with me.
  • I am loved. (John 3:16)
  • I am fierce in confidence and boldness because God is with me.
  • I am free. (John 8:32)
  • I am healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
  • I am unashamed. (Romans 8:1)
  • I am called and equipped to go after the righteous desires God puts in my heart.
  • I am strong. (1 John 2:14)
  • I am fearless. (Isaiah 43:5)
  • I am secure. (John 10:28-29)
  • I am not a people-pleaser because I answer to God first and seek to please Him.
  • I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • I am not shaken. (Psalm 62:6)
  • I am not stuck in worry because Jesus offers a peace this world cannot give.
  • I am born again. (1 Peter 1:23)
  • I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
  • I am named by God, not labeled by man.
  • I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)
  • I am mighty in His power. (Ephesians 6:10)
  • I am the Church and I exist for the world. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

For Women

  • I am the daughter of the King of all kings.
  • Because of Jesus, I lack nothing.
  • God has given me everything I need to do what He’s called me to do.
  • I speak encouraging, life-giving words and build others up.
  • The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
  • I will not compare myself to other women. God made us all beautifully unique.
  • I will hold myself to God’s standards and measure myself with grace.
  • I will love and laugh rather than fight and complain.
  • I refuse to waste my life on meaningless things.
  • I will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. (Micah 6:8)
  • Through Christ I am strong, gentle, fierce, and compassionate.
  • I will fight the good fight for what matters most. (2 Timothy 4:7)

For Men

  • I am the son of the King of all kings.
  • I lay down my pride and selfishness, giving all glory to the one true God.
  • I love my family like Christ loved the Church—giving Himself up for her.
  • I fight for purity, guarding my eyes and heart from tempting situations.
  • I seek friendships with other godly men to sharpen my perspective. (Proverbs 27:17)
  • I wait for God to open the right doors and take action when He does.
  • I’m not defined by my failures or successes.
  • I finish what I start.
  • I never give up!
  • I will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. (Micah 6:8)
  • Through Christ I am strong, gentle, fierce, and compassionate.
  • I am a warrior! I stand firm, even when the pain is crippling, because God is my strength.
  • I will fight the good fight for what matters most. (2 Timothy 4:7)

For Parents

Everyday Life with Jesus

  • The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in me. (Ephesians 1:19-20)
  • Nothing can separate me from God. (Romans 8:38-39)
  • Sin has no power over me. (Romans 6:14)
  • I have authority over the enemy. (Luke 10:19)
  • I can resist the enemy. (James 4:7)
  • I can endure all things through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
  • I have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
  • I have everything I need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. (2 Peter 1:3)
  • I have eternal life, which is knowing God. (John 17:3)
  • I overcome the world. (John 16:33)
  • Greater is He that lives in me. (1 John 4:4)
  • I have the ability to choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
  • I am kept by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:5)
  • I have the power to tell others about God’s love for them. (Acts 1:8)
  • God meets my needs. (Philippians 4:19)
  • I have access to my heavenly Father. (Ephesians 2:18)
  • I have hope. (Hebrews 6:19)
  • The Lord is my shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)

Friendship

  • I assume the best about others.
  • I am a good friend.
  • My friends and family love me.
  • I am kind and loving.
  • My lovingkindness will speak for itself so I don’t have to.
  • I love because Love lives in me.
  • I shut my mouth when I want to complain.
  • I speak life!
  • I encourage others daily.
  • Joy is my reputation.
  • I represent Christ well to my friends.

Shame

  • I am not defined by what I have done.
  • God’s grace is more powerful than my sin.
  • I am forgiven when I turn to God for salvation because Christ already paid my debt.
  • My record has been wiped clean. (Psalm 103:12)
  • Even when others remind me of my past, I will not let it limit my future.
  • I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Finances

Temptation and Addiction

  • God always provides a way out, and I will take it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
  • I am free from sin’s trap.
  • No temptation is greater than my God.
  • He will help me; I only need to ask. (Matthew 7:7)
  • God is stronger than my appetite.
  • Jesus’ name is above my addiction.
  • I crave the Word of God more than addiction.
  • God has given me the power to stand against temptation.
  • I submit to God and resist the devil. (James 4:7)

Discouragement and Hope

Finish Strong

  • I will pick up my cross daily and follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
  • I run the race to finish strong. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
  • In Christ, I can do hard things.
  • God will complete the work He first began in me. (Philippians 1:6)
  • Christ will be my strength and I will persevere.
  • I will not lean on my own understanding, but on Christ.
  • Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
  • Nothing the enemy throws at me is more powerful than Jesus.
  • The Holy Spirit fills me and shows me the way.

Business

  • I am a faith-filled, big thinking, bet-the-farm risk taker.
  • I will never insult God with small thinking and safe living.
  • I show God’s love to every client, vendor, coworker, and employee. (John 13:35)
  • Neither failures nor successes define my worth.
  • God is my defender, negotiator, and guide.

Offense

  • I am not easily offended because God’s love lives in me.
  • I am able to forgive quickly because God has forgiven me.
  • I keep no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5)

He Is God

  • You are a good Father.
  • You are my God who keeps His word.
  • You do not lie. (Numbers 23:19)
  • You are faithful throughout all generations. (Psalm 119:90)
  • You have overcome the world.
  • You love me. (John 3:16)
  • In You I have peace, freedom, and no condemnation.
  • You rescue and defend.
  • You brought me the Good News.
  • You bind up my broken heart. (Psalm 147:3)
  • You released me from my prison.
  • You are my comfort.

Fear and Anxiety

Protection

  • I rest in the shelter of the Most High.
  • I remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty.
  • God is my protection in whom I confidently trust. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
  • God will save me.
  • God’s truth and His faithfulness are my cover and defense.
  • I will not fear.
  • God commands His angels to guard me in all my ways. (Psalm 91:11)
  • The Lord will rescue and protect me.
  • My God answers me when I call on Him.
  • God is with me in trouble.

Identity

  • I am loved.
  • My value is not based on what I can do, but what Jesus did.
  • My failures do not define me.
  • My accomplishments are because of God in me.
  • My life is a witness, a city on a hill. (Matthew 5:14)
  • I am holy and blameless in Christ.
  • I am safe.
  • I am accepted.
  • I am not condemned.
  • I am enough because Jesus is enough.
  • God is working in me and through me. (Hebrews 6:10)
  • While man may reject me, my God never will.

Healing and Health