When life gets tough, strengthen yourself in the Lord – learn a lesson from Joseph’s journey of destiny – part 8

You need to develop your gift – Joseph used his gift continuously to develop it

Positive thinking and Godly character helped Joseph to develop his gift. It is the will of God that human beings should prosper on earth and subdue the land to benefit humanity. Every human being is to make use of their gift to effect this. It is the will of God that man by his gift should be productive to enhance their development. However, the gift is not to be used or exhibited without depending on God for effectiveness.

In case you do not know your gift, think of what you like to do or that which you do well, work on it continually to develop it until you are perfect in it. Or pray for God’s revelation for His purpose for your life and work on it until you become an expert in it.

Godly character will help you to think positively, positive thinking in turn will help you to focus on doing what is right; especially, on how to develop the gift that God has deposited into your life. No matter the situation you may find yourself, nothing should pose a barrier to developing your gift. God can use every situation to accomplish His purposes. In fact, it was the imprisonment of Paul in Rome that enhanced the spreading of the gospel in Rome (2Tim. 2:9; Eph. 6:19). Likewise, being in prison did not stop Joseph from interpreting the dreams of the king’s wards.

Both scenarios could have made Joseph and Paul to be depressed, fearful, sorrowful, discouraged, or hopeless to continue engaging in what would help them develop the God-given gift in their lives. Rather, they kept engaging in using their talent for the advantage of others not considering their own imprisonment.

The scripture stated,

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men” (Pro. 18:16).

No matter what situation you may be passing through in the journey of your destiny, keep displaying a Godly character and a positive attitude every moment. Every moment is passing bye, you cannot afford to let a day pass bye without gaining anything from it. When you do this, you will be interested in finding something to do, which cannot be less than that which God has deposited in you, your gift. You will be happy and encouraged at doing what you do best. You will be encouraged to do better day by day until the purpose of God is fulfilled in your life.

Joseph because of the fear of God in his life would not allow the negative circumstance he was passing through to stop him from being honest and faithful in all his doings. When you are honest and faithful, there is a supernatural stream of joy that flows from the sanctuary of your heart. That joy by default will help you to focus and think of better things to do, developing what will lead you and bring you before great men.

How often do you practice and develop your gift or the weapon that God has given you? Many have lost their gifts due to some circumstances that ruled and overpower them. Many have lost their gifts because they failed to develop their God-given gift, they envied and pursued another person’s gift. Many have lost it because they failed to make use of whatever gift God has given them no matter how it is viewed, small or big. No gift is small, God expect you to be faithful in using your gift to the best of your ability.

Imagine the circumstances that affected Joseph in the journey of his destiny beginning from his openness, narrating his dreams to his brothers. He was sold as a slave. His good works ‘the fear of God’ enabled him not to commit adultery. Still, he was sent to jail, a prisoner in the dungeon. While in prison he might as well thought of not using his gift to interpret the dreams of the king’s wards to avoid putting himself in trouble again. But he did not allow circumstance to stop him from doing so. He interpreted the king’s wards dreams. The event eventually introduced him and brought him before Pharaoh in his palace.

Nothing should disturb you from using your gift; not fear, not discouragement, not lack, not imprisonment, should stop you from using your gift; because, through constant practicing, you are developing that gift. In the face of all odds, you need to exercise boldness to forge through the odds to what God has prepared for you (Heb. 10:35; Jos. 1:9).

If Joseph were afraid to interpret dreams again, he would not have been brought before a great man (Pharaoh). In the journey of your destiny, do not allow your soul to be cast down because of frustration, disappointment, betrayal, wrong accusation, loss of precious or any negative circumstance; but keep improving on your God-given gift in the fear of God and for the good of humanity. Hence, as at the right time, God caused the butler to remembered Joseph and brought him to pharaoh (Gen. 41:9-13)

Prayers

  • Thank God for the gift of genuine salvation through faith upon your life
  • Pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit be resident and manifest His power in you.
  • Pray for divine revelation to discover your God-given gift in case you do not know it
  • Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you not to fall prey among dream and goal killers (bad siblings, associates, or any organization) that would kill your dream, goal, or vision.
  • Pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing (frustration, disappointment, betrayal, wrong accusation, loss of precious or any negative circumstance) will disturb or stop you from developing and exercising your God-given gift.
  • Pray for the Spirit of excellence to help you develop your gift and distinguish you to stand above your contemporaries or any negative circumstance that may pose an encumbrance in the journey of your destiny.
  • Pray that God will help you to use your gift wisely for God’s glory, for the purpose of God for your life, and for the good of humanity.
  • Pray that your gift will promote you and put you in the place of honor.

Lawrence Abitogun

lawrencebabitogun.com