I HAVE come to the realization that whatever we are passing through at any stage of life, God is preparing us for our glorious future. This is always so except where you do not believe God creates you. But God says:
“From your mother’s womb I have known you. I have chosen you.”
“He also says: a wall of your life is in my palm. I know the hair strands on your head”. And the scripture cannot be broken. It is better not to be dismayed, no matter how tough it may be just keep your desire and the picture of your colourful and glorious future in focus. Let it keep burning in your mind for it is only what you desire that God shall bring to pass.
Appropriate His Word as per the prevailing circumstances and victory is assured. He has promised that He will neither leave nor forsake us. The book of James which is one of the foremost books written by the brother of Jesus, a leader in the then church in Jerusalem, reads:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James I verse 2-4). There is a need for maturity in all areas of life.
Our life as an Entrepreneurial Couple has taught us many lessons even though we sometimes learn it the hard way. But it is now evident that God purposely pushed us in the direction of His purpose for our lives. I give all glory, honour, and adoration to God for He remains our covering. He made our vision so dear to our hearts that we saw no fault in our actions or in what anybody was saying or doing concerning our decision, which the devil could have used to derail our vision.
I gladly agreed to go into business with my husband in 1984. We had three hundred nairas (N300.00) as my savings Even then, my husband did not ask me to bring money into the business rather he asked for my cooperation and trust. I saw it as an opportunity because not every man can give such a privilege to his wife.
Some feel they would be exposed to whatever, but God moved into my life to change my circumstances in life through my husband. I had the desire to be financially okay to help people who are in need. How would I do it?? I wouldn’t know but I desired it.
My understanding was broadened as God gave me the heart to trust my husband totally which has helped me not to walk by sight but by faith. Now my family lacks nothing because God has been providing for all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Good and divine health has continued to be our heritage. The negative thoughts I had then were:
A. Your husband has no source of income how are you going to
- Pay your house rent?
- Feed yourselves and your children?
- Buy clothes?
You do not have anybody you can run to for any assistance. Nobody cares about your parents and brothers are looking up to you. What do you do now that your husband is out of his job? You better tell him to go back to his salaried job! It was a dominating and stubborn conversation within my head for the first month but I realized it was the devil at work.
The thought nearly devoured me.
Confidence and consolation came for me in the book of Psalm 16 verses 5-11 which says:
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Psalm 16 verses 5-11
As soon as the negative or depressing thoughts came, recited the verses and that was how I won the battle. God backed up His words and His resources have never run dry.
Within that one month, my baby’s food was about to finish and there was no hope of buying another. So, I quickly ran to my Aunty with whom I saved two hundred (N200.00). She gave me a hundred naira out of my money and that kept us for some days. But as I was coming back with the one hundred naira I told God I shall have no cause to beg anybody for my domestic need. And that was the last time I found myself in that situation. I said to God: Whenever I go to the market, replenish my pocket.”I will not go to retailers but to big distributors or people who sell in dozens.
As I am buying from them, I see myself buying in cartons even though l am buying either 3 pieces or half a dozen”. I prized in cartons and dozens before I made my purchase. All these I did communicate with God. Gradually God began to fulfill my heart’s desire. Again it is such a lonely period of life when you decide to move from nowhere to somewhere.
The gap between the rich and the poor is so wide. It takes hard work in the right direction and divine favour to close the gap. The rich, except for a few saints, most of the time do not want the poor to climb the ladder not to talk of moving up. The well-to-do continue to revolve around themselves, raising the stakes every day. But once you are determined with God teaching and counseling you the way to go through the Holy Spirit, your perseverance must finish its work in order for you to be mature so as to be able to manage the resources very well when you reach the point where you will lack nothing according to the book of James.
There are people who are out to rubbish what you are doing. There is rejection here and there; people mocking you. They can afford to do this because the vision is given to you and not any other person. They cannot see the glorious and colourful picture you have in God through what He has committed into your hand, so they could afford to mock and rubbish your small beginning. But be sure they shall gather together to celebrate your success in the very near future.
That is the way of the World. For now, let contentment be your watchword, and keep your vision before you. You are heading for the top. Nothing shall stop you. You are born of God and so you’ve overcome the world (1 John 5 verse 4). Make Him whose resources never run dry your source. He is the only option you have and you shall never be naked in the open.
