When the Odds are Against You
It is said that the cemetery is the richest place on the earth. Why is this so? Because it holds millions of people who died with numerous gifts, talents, potentials, dreams, et cetera that they never used to accomplish their divine purposes and God given assignments in their life time.
When I think of this saying, I can’t help but wonder, what could have prevented those persons from accomplishing their purposes and assignments in life?
The reality of this phenomenon hits home to me when I think about my own father who passed on in June 2009. He was a man of many talents and very intelligent. He was a musician with a dream to build an academy of music for the youths in his community (Steal Pan in particular). He desired to pass on his musical skills to the younger generation but he died without realizing his dream even though he tried. Why? The odds were against him.
I am certain that there are many reasons why people die without realizing their dreams and purposes in life. However, I believe one of the reasons many people die without fulfilling their purposes and assignments in live is because the odds were against them.
What are “the odds”? “The odds” would include all the difficult situations and limitations we experience during our life time in the 5 Aspects of Man, which are, Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Social and Financial.
I reflected on my life today and I too have dreams I would like to accomplish in my life time. Yes, I have had some achievements but I have not yet self-actualized. Often times it seems like I would not make it in this life because the odds are against me. Can you identify with me here?
Nevertheless, it is encouraging to know that there are many people who made it and others are making it. Some have fulfilled and others are fulfilling their divine purposes and God given assignments for their lives in the earth even though the odds were and are against them. Is this even possible? I hear some of you asking. Yes, it is possible. According to Matthew 19:26, “…with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” and Mark 9:23, “…If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believe.”
I have a young adult friend who had a dream of becoming a medical doctor but it seemed impossible because the odds were against her even as a child. She graduated medical school last year making history being the first and only medical student from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to graduate from that university. Today she is employed by the government of SVG as a medical doctor at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. She is a living testimony that it is possible to accomplish your dreams and fulfill your divine purposes and God given assignments even though the odds are against you.
You may be wondering, how do I make it in spite of the odds that are against me? I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some practical things you can do to have success in your life.
- You must first of all have faith in God for “…without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
- You must believe that with God it is possible for you to make it. You must acknowledge that you cannot accomplish anything in your own strength, “for it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty” (Zachariah 4:6).
- You must give the odds that are against you over to Christ Jesus; “Casting all your cares or anxieties upon Him for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
- You need to appropriate the Word of God, that is, stand on the Word of God (His promises, His Logos Word, His Rhema Word, His prophetic Word) in your lives for Hebrews 10:23 assures you that “…He is faithful Who promise”.
- You must be obedient to His will and commands even when they may seem crazy and unrealistic.
- You must keep hope alive always.
- You must trust in God’s grace for, “…he said…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a).
- You must also be intentional in your pursuit of purpose.
- You must be diligent and persevering.
- You must be steadfast and unmovable.
- It is also of paramount importance for you to cultivate a “mind like Christ’s” (Philippians 2:5) and “keep your mind stayed on Him so He can keep you in perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3). “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- You must know and understand your limitations.
- Learn to network and make use of the resources around you. Never go it alone. Know when to seek help when you need it. God expects us to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
- Make up your mind to fight in faith for what you want.
- Be wise when in your decision making.
- Avoid or ignore negative thoughts and negative people.
- When it gets tough and overwhelming self-pity and feeling sorry for yourself is not an option. However, cry if you must but only for a short period of time.
- Do not settle for alternative to or substitute for your dreams. If you do, let it be temporary.
- Have great anticipations from God, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
This battle is in the mind. If a shift can take place in the mind and you can see through the eyes of Christ Jesus and not lean on your own understanding, you will win this battle.
I am here to declare to you today that you are already equipped with everything you need to live this life. For “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Hence, you are empowered to make it even if the odds are against you.
