BE ENCOURAGED – Hope Is Always Alive! Part 1.

By Femi Akinpelu Joseph

Good day and compliments of the seasons to you, ladies and gentlemen! I think it’s that time of the year again when people begin to live a miserable and despicable life of unnecessary rush – trying to meet up with some unscripted and unwritten laws of societal demands and “end of the year” expectations.

Please, work hard, pray, strategize, plan and take wise decisions; but don’t kill yourself in the process of trying to “show” certain persons that you too “have arrived” and prove to them that “God don bless you too”! It really, is not needed. There is no place where it was written that you MUST buy that car, that phone, travel or do that wedding by force this year. Be encouraged; see, if you didn’t do it this month or next month, you will do even more in the next 3 or 4 months. God who is the surest provider, and the orchestrator of every life event and happening remains always the same. He is not going anywhere – you are the one that is thinking that He’s always in a haste, just like you. He does not ever move or shake, because He already got you planned out and covered! So, keep your hope alive, and never give up. But, SLOW IT DOWN!

A lot of times, we must have set certain deadlines and ultimatums for ourselves on exactly when to achieve what – but when that doesn’t work or happen as planned, we get so discouraged and begin to feel sad. We then allow a life of gloom to set in, and the devil would now take an advantage of that and begin to play games on your mind. In case you didn’t know, he is a master at that – he would literally knock down your psychology and in turn, win your soul to himself. You naturally become a prey to the evil one when you are desperate for things, because he would cause you to commit a big error.

I always do encourage myself by the life history of many of the past and present notable achievers in the world. It is interesting that there is a common trend they all follow. Study the life of Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Hanah, and Jacob in the bible. And also, let’s check out the likes of Mandela, George Weah, C. Ronaldo, Tyler Perry, Ben Carson, Colonel Sanders (KFC founder), to mention just a few. These guys all had it tough and rough; they worked steadily and waited patiently, but at the set time, THEY MADE IT!

And personally, my life as a whole has also always been a constant inspiration, in its own, to me. How do I mean?

I didn’t finish High School until I was 19. I didn’t have any notable love relationship experience until 22. I only bought my first bicycle at 27. I could only start my B.Sc. programme at age 28. I didn’t have a University degree until I turned 31. I never could drive a car until 33. I didn’t own a personal car until 35! Quite a peculiar experience, right? That is a very interesting life, I must tell you.

Now, let’s put aside those seemingly challenging experiences above – and focus on a more positive side of my life. May be someone would pick themselves up and be encouraged. I started singing in my church’s adult Choir at age 10, I wrote my first song and performed it twice at age 21, I have lived as an independent adult since age 21. I started doing business at age 23. I debuted as a national newspaper writer and reporter at 31. I became a publisher at age 34. And, many more attainments to come – I’m a project and work-in-progress.

This is how I see life and I simply live by this rule: “let no one hasten your life so much that you now become a slave of everybody (from running around after recognition), or a nuisance (criminal) to the society just because you are chasing after fast money. 

And, NEVER EVER develop a high BP because of anybody. Stress or worry yourself over nothing – Philippians 4:6-7. Don’t listen to those (life coaches) who always do condemn and would claim that it is because you’re not working hard enough, that’s why you are still where you are now. It is not always true – there is a time for everyone. Focus always on those POSITIVE things in your life that are visible enough for an everyday celebration. Look deeply, just as I’ve highlighted few of mine, earlier. You will surely always see light at end of the tunnel, no matter how long and dark it appears. 

THERE IS SO MUCH HOPE. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

Be patient, that dream will still come alive if you don’t give up. Be encouraged!

God bless you.

#ThereIsHope #Believe #YouWillMakeIt #BeHappyAlways #BeEncouraged