Did you ever feel like you were finally accomplishing something great in life? You felt your life had meaning, and purpose, but suddenly what was shining bright turned into darkness. In other words, ‘All hell broke loose.”
The disruptive state of this darkness that you may encounter, it seeks to destroy you and keep you in bondage, but the outcome depends on your outlook on life. It can either make you into someone great or break you down until you give up on your dreams.
There is a story of a young boy described in Genesis 39 who experienced a series of dark events that lead to his greatness. Joseph had a dream which was a light in the darkness. No doubt it stood out to him as an unusual experience. He did not take his dream for granted. He anticipated understanding its purpose. As he journeyed through success he started at the bottom of a pit where his brothers had placed him. Challenges struck when his brothers sold him as a slave to a foreign country. As Joseph’s life aligns with the dream, he rises to the top, but soon finds himself being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. He is placed in a dungeon where he no doubt had numerous questions for God. Again, he climbed the ladder to success while in the dungeon being placed in authority of the prisoners. After his dungeon experience, his journey to success brings him before Pharaoh to interpret a dream. Joseph now sits as a successful ruler in Egypt. This rise opened door for many who struggled during the famine, as well as a reunion with his father and brothers.
Although we are in this world temporarily, it is my hope that we wake up thinking of strategies to improve our lives, not only for ourselves but also for generations to come. In the year of 2017, I saw a vision of the blessings of God unfold and success for my life was inevitable. I opened myself to be transformed to receive it. As I aligned myself with this vision, challenges struck. My integrity, attitude, and faith was tested on my job, at home, in my marriage, as well as the local assembly. At times I wanted to throw pots, pans and glassware sailing through the kitchen window after dealing with my husband and our children. I wanted to give my supervisor a piece of my mind. My frustration level was high. Every road I’ve travelled had a level of challenge that was awfully intense. Anxiety overwhelmed me, and deep fear of the unknown had crippled my progress. I began to doubt the vision I had received. While hanging on by a thread, I remembered that obedience is better than sacrifice, and I had to trust the process.
“You weren’t born just to live a life and to die; you were born to accomplish something specifically. Matter of fact, success is making it to the end of your purpose; that is success… Success is not just existing. Success is making it to the end of why you were born.“Dr. Myles Munroe
Do not think for a moment that success comes without preparation. Attaining a higher education, preparing a business plan, and setting short or long term goals, are just a few preparations. You must ensure that you are mentally prepared for success, and your character is in alignment with the leading role in your vision. This is where the process makes or breaks you. Joseph maintained his integrity and faith. He is a man on a journey whose character is being developed daily.
“True education does not consist merely in the acquiring of a few facts of science, history, literature, or art, but in the development of character.”David O. MacKay
Do not doubt your vision, as I did. This only delays the process. Instead, as Habakkuk 2:2-3 states, “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
The success of a vision should not be interpreted as an opportunity to bring gratification to you alone, but a true success is acclaimed when meeting the needs of others along this journey. Joseph came to a place where he not only obtain a favorable position but was capable of helping others from communities near and far.
No longer trapped in the prison walls of my mind. I was determined to break free of the mentality that had me bound. I began reading and listening to inspirational content, changed my behavior and revamped my thought process on how I saw life. I told myself daily that I am coming out. I then proclaimed daily that Faith overcomes Fear. Do not give up! Your journey to will be long, but your destiny is worth the change.