Set Backs? It does not Mean Your Life Is Over! It is a Set Up for Your Lifting Up!

The Story

A true story of a homeless man inspired me to write this piece especially for everyone going through though situations right now in their lives. In this story, this man lost everything he had and owned to become a poor beggar. Friends and families forsook him and even his business partners were not ready to help him get back on his feet. It was very bad so much that people on the street started to stereotype him for a drug and substance addict. He lost hope of ever getting back on his feet. Though he prays, situations has made him to doubt if even God hears his prayer and whether it was possible for his prayers to come to pass. One morning, he met a stranger on the street after he got rejected as usual by some passerby who could help him. He was confronted by this man and after narrating his situation, this kind man decided to give him a chance. It is really hard to find help on the street this days because of several negative happenings. One thing led to the other, this man was reintroduced to his line of profess as a painter and today, he own his personal art gallery and a website that sells his works. Being on the street, he faced some level of health challenges when the kind man wanted to help him. He was sad and thought all were lost but God miraculously healed him and he regained his self confidence. Today, he is not just a better person of himself but for other homeless people who have a history.

LESSONS FOR THE LIVING AND THE FAINTING

• Preparation: this man was prepared for every good opportunity that will come his way. He is a painter. He has a skill. The bible encourages us to be prepared in season and out of season. It means, situations should not redirect our focus of preparing toward achieving the dreams and visons God has place in our hearts.

• Professionalism: this man before, during and after his poor situation remained very professional in the skills he had. Our situation must not cut sides of our abilities and capabilities to do what we know [learn] how to do best or doing them with maximum professionalism.

• Precedence: the man had an experience and record of his past work to show as a proof of his profession. When he met this kind man, all needed to do was to show his previous works as evidence of his profession. Don't forget, at your current condition, it will be very difficult to convince anyone about your capabilities. There is some lesson I learnt early, that is to do things for people even for free so I can have a history of my work. Even when you are poor today, that should not stop you from putting your skills into proper use out there. The world has kindness in it but no one will be ready to help you by just showing up; you must have an evidence of your quality and value.

• Procedure and Process: the man went through the process of starting something, lost it, became very deprived and later bounced back. This is a process. Going through the procedure and protocol of time. Time and chance reveals our readiness to become everything we desire. Instantaneous glittering does not stand the harsh circumstances of challenges and desert trials but process and procedure gives us all the experience we need to remain on top when we get there.

• Partnership: a wise man once said "if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go with a partner". Great businesses go public after sometime of operating solely so they can expand their funds and profits. You could be doing well alone today but it won't be long before the storms will hit your ship then you would have to start calling for help. Whatever happens, don't do things alone for long, learn to trust someone to help. It is equally essential for us to sow the seed of the fruits we want others to give us. You must help people in the capacity that you wish others help you. Even in your little way. It doesn't matter your current condition. A poor person also finds means to the ends of other poor persons - just do your best to show love towards someone. Don't always be the man calling for rescue, be the superman also.

• Positive Mindedness: When this poor man became ill health, he started thinking all is over with his dreams. He thought he was not going to amount to anything good in life no more. The human subconscious mind is the hub of every decision and action we take. Good news is you have the power to control your own thought. You have to tell everything that speaks negativity to you that 'I need you off my mind because it is my own mind and I mind what my mind thinks if you don't mind please mind your own business'. You can check and read my previous blog on Yes! I Can. it will help you reshape and strengthen your thoughts. Always stay positively focus in your thoughts for as you think so you are. You are because you think so.

• Diligence: hard work they say pays however I say skillful and intelligent hard work is a priceless treasure. Don't be slothful at work but most importantly add knowledge, skills, innovation, technology, inventions, wisdom and compassion to your work.

• Honesty and Integrity: values reflect moral standards of society's acceptability. We work among people and we must create that environment for them to be confident to come around us without any second thoughts. Genuity and pragmatism must build our value systems in every area of work [be ministry, marriage, enterprise or job].

Conclusion

God works in mysterious ways, in unconventional means in order to reach out to our needs and prayers. We must not loose our guards any moment in trusting God to come through for our need somehow, whatever they may be. You never know who is coming your way. Wake up to every passing day staying above every circumstances and reality. Pray to God. Ask the Lord to help you change the things you can and to give you wisdom to manage those you can't. Bless you!