Most people going throughout their day will hear someone use the phrase, “good luck.” Just today, I heard someone say this about a situation. Later I listened to a character in a movie say it. It’s a familiar and old phrase used by so many. If you need a new perspective about the phrase “good luck”, then keep reading.

Have you ever thought about what luck is? Some would say it is good fortune, something special that happens to make a situation better, some favor. Webster defines luck this way: success or failure by chance rather than through one’s actions. One might hear, “I got lucky,” as if there was a chance involved, and their opportunity arrived.

In Matthew 7:11, the Bible is clear: God the Father desires to give good gifts to His children. James 1:17 states every gift comes from the Father. The idea that anything useful in a Christian’s life is good luck, fate, chance, or because all the planets are aligned is not intelligent. Clearly, all things come from God. Not just the good, but even the tough things. He is in control of our individual lives and the universe all at once. He is God(Proverbs 16:9).

Recently, I saw a post that said, “I’m not lucky; you have no idea how much I prayed.” Days, weeks, months, and years of prayer bear fruit. The nebulous concept of luck does not satisfy. Praying Christians know God is the only One who could have turned a situation around. It never enters their mind to think they were lucky.
The next time you hear another Christian use “Good Luck,” why not gently remind them that God will bring about His outcome. Let’s quit letting this tiny phrase steal opportunities to praise our Lord and give Him the credit He deserves.
It’s a good witness and another winning way to follow Jesus in your world.

Christian response

Everyone who knows you should know you are a Christian. It should be natural to share what God has done for you. That’s your identity! Your life is bursting with blessings due to the grace that knowing Jesus brings. And your spiritual blessings are sketched all through scripture. It is like you belong to the most successful company and want others to understand how they can be part of it, too. You have a narrative. Those around you need to hear about who is the Giver in your life.

Everyone says it 

Christians can be intentional. You can train your mind, and your mouth can speak the truth. Luck doesn’t exist, but your loving and generous Lord does. So you can talk about Him and use your life circumstances to do it. Your fellow brothers and sisters need the reminder, and your speech can be different than those who do not know the Lord.

Why Christians are hesitant or unaware to give God credit:

Fear what others would say – Maybe you don’t want to reveal you are a Christian. Consider there is nothing about your faith in the crucified Christ that is private. There is an appropriate manner in which to share. The Bible clarifies how we communicate with others(I Peter 3:15).

False guilt – Maybe you feel bad for receiving good gifts from your Heavenly Father when someone near you is suffering. Luck is impersonal and doesn’t bring God into the discussion. It may seem like a good avoidance instead of boldly and kindly shining your light.

Perspective

As I see it, luck leaves God out of some rather large situations in life. People never say, “Good luck doing your laundry” or “Good luck painting your nails.” No. It’s big situations like making a deal, opening a business, or going to court. Let’s say you have the money needed to purchase a vehicle or close on a house, would you give luck the credit? God gave you the ability to earn the money. How about finding out you don’t have a dreaded medical condition? Luck?

REASONS TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE ONE WHO SAVED YOUR SOUL:

• HE deserves all your praise.
• It’s humble to give Him credit.
• It’s an effective witness to those around you.
• God honors those who honor Him.
• It’s right and true.

We don’t want to be like the Israelites so long ago who forgot what God had done.

Our ancestors in Egypt did not grasp the significance of your wondrous works or remember your many acts of faithful love; instead, they rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea. Psalm 106:7(CSB)

HOW TO QUIT SAYING GOOD LUCK

• Renew your mind through His Word – Be intentional to find verses in the Bible that teach you to praise Him and give Him thanks(John 17:17, Romans 12:1-2).
• Pray for the courage to give credit to God openly and winsomely if you decide not to say “good luck” anymore(Romans 11:36).
• Pray Psalm 51:10 – ”God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.“
• Ask God to transform your speech pattern, and don’t get discouraged if it takes a while(Psalm 141:3).
• Change what you say. Luke 6:45 says our mouth gives evidence of our hearts. Our mouth was made to praise the One who created us and saved us and gives us all we need for life ( 2 Peter 1:3). 

Luck is not real; neither is chance or coincidence. We lack human words to describe the nature of God and His love toward us. Scripture provides the words we need. If you and I digest more of it (Psalm 34:8), then we can have an answer for what God does for us(I Peter 3:15).

©Valerie Rumfelt

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