Do not fall to pieces!

When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us… - Paul (The apostle)

Our society is ranked with people that we have judged too early in their success journeys. For a lot of people we take a glance at their present states and conclude that they have utterly failed probably because they are not yet in our perceived state of success. Because of this societal perception for success, there is often a tendency, especially for the young, to cringe away from anything that has the similitude of hardship. Rather, the young want to “make it” NOW!

                 This will not help any generation. People of substance are made with the processing of time and experience and not at an instant. To be made a person of substance you, like gold, will have to endure the heat of the furnace of life. When you step out of that furnace you will glow for all to see. People love the gold-like person but hate the furnace that purifies to this state.

                Your endurance of tough times shows your discipline because it takes discipline to stay in the heat of the furnace of life and not jump out to some comfort zone of yours. Only the disciplined get to see the vision in their hearts. If you lack discipline you risk aborting the dream your heart has so far incubated.

                 Enduring hard times shows the stuff you are made of. When you squeeze a fruit, its juice oozes out because that is what it was made of. Pressure exposes us. “If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place”, (Proverbs 24:10).

But should in case you intend going all the way, I have ONE recipe. Keep your eyes on the ultimate end. King Solomon reasoned, “Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out.” You will not be able to endure to the end unless you see the end. If you see in your mind’s eye the grandeur that comes with completing the journey, you will remain in the furnace.

180-DEGREES TURN TO YOUR SHOKOTO (Concluded)

         All you are looking for in Sokoto is in YOUR shokoto (trouser pockets) - Yoruba Proverb

“Much food is in the tillage of the poor…”, (Proverbs 13:23). Did you see it? Every time I read those words I grow goose bumps. The proverb says the poor man has all he needs in his land!

     Are you asking the question on my mind? Why in heavens name is he then poor?

Well for one he was obviously too familiar with his field. Familiarity they say breeds contempt. And so he looks at his field and says: “What is my talent compared to great talented people?” Or he says: “This thing I have is too small to make any difference”. Or he scoffs and says: “This thing? No it can’t be any better.”

     On the other hand, he may just be a lazy boy and say: “Nobody succeeds in this type of business, there is no need trying.” Or, “I am a Christian; God will do it for me.”

     Our poor man may just be someone who lacks discretion; he is unable to make responsible decisions. It was the fault of his wife that he didn't go to the field in the last week.

Finally, but not conclusively, he may just lack the necessary skills to manage the deep needs of his husbandry. He took the leap of faith and went to farm even when there were no rains, but does not have a clue what to do next.

     It really does not matter which among the above ails our poor man or if he is plagued by a combination of all of them what really matters is rather than run away from his field, he takes a 180° turn to the opposite direction, and plough. This he must do if he will not have the same destiny as Ali Hafed.

     You must recognize that YOUR field has diamonds! You must discern how to mine it. You must be diligent to plough your field. You must be discreet and learn how to manage the intricacies your own vocational-husbandry. Then, and then alone will you ensure you are not the poor man we just spoke about.