pathway to destiny

“For you created my inmost being…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139: 13, 16

Within each one of lies a purpose and a destiny; it was there before we were born. It was placed there by our Heavenly Father. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Do you know what plans lie within your spirit? Are they lying dormant within you? Have they been buried by years of hurt, confusion, or mistrust? How can you remove the barriers to reach what is in your spirit?

Let’s look at the different barriers that could be blocking our true purpose.

Hurt and emotional wounding: All of us get hurt by other people from time to time. But I am talking about the kind of hurt that goes especially deep. It could be a hurt caused by a spouse, by parents, or by someone that you really trusted. No matter what you try to do to move forward, this hurt springs up in you’re heart. Some of the signs of an unhealed wound are; anger, unforgiveness, or bitterness.

Are you still angry at the person that hurt you? This is signal that you have not forgiven. In Luke 6:37 it reads; Forgive, and you will be forgiven. I know it is not easy to forgive sometimes. But may I recommend making an effort to forgive just by an act of your will? You don’t have to feel anything, but over time, as you continue to forgive, the feelings will come. Forgiveness does not mean the person is getting off the hook. You are just making it right in your heart toward God.

It has been medically proven that many physical problems have been traced back to emotional backlogs of unforgiveness: symptoms such as headaches, backaches, digestive problems, skin problems and emotional problems can be traced back to unforgiveness. I am not saying that all of these problems are only caused by unforgiveness, but it can have a lot to do with it!

Spiritual Barriers: Let me first of all begin by saying, that if you have not believed God that he sent Jesus to take your sins, punishment and was resurrected to give you forgiveness and eternal life, than this is the first step. How freeing it is to know that God loves you and has provided forgiveness through Jesus Christ! Receive Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins and ask God to forgive you. It will be amazing how your life will change!

Are there still struggles in your life after becoming a Christian? Find a solid bible believing church and surround yourself with brothers and sisters that will love you, pray for you, and stand with you. In James 5:16 it reads, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Be tenacious for the promises of God to be manifested in your life! It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!” Contend for the faith, go after the new creation that is for you in Christ! It is yours, lay hold of it by faith!

Mental Barriers: Maybe you were raised in a home where you were criticized and told you would never amount to anything! Maybe you have failed at past attempts to achieve something. Now, you cannot get passed those thoughts that keep telling you “you’re a failure, you’ll never amount to anything, and you can’t do that.” You must fight these lies with all your strength. Don’t give in to them. They are lies. “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” Do not agree with the enemy. Agree with what God’s word says about you. “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Michael Phelps (the Olympic swimming champion) saw himself as an Olympic winner and that is what he became! Yes, he worked very hard to achieve what he envisioned, but he succeeded.

You can succeed too! Refuse to listen to the lies no more, and believe that you can do it!

Circumstantial Barriers: Many people use the excuse that they cannot succeed because of economic hardships or they weren’t brought up a certain way. Whatever the reason, there is always an excuse why they cannot succeed. Who was it that said, “Where there is a will, there is a way?” I don’t know, but I think it is trueJ

If you want to succeed bad enough, God will make a way.

If it means going back to school; there are many programs and grants that are available to help students pay their way through college now. Seek and look for creative ways of pursuing your dream. Look for “can do “people that can help you along the way.

There is one more thing I would like to say as a Christian. The bible says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. “Isaiah 40:31 when you spend time with the Lord, you don’t have to be praying and saying something all the time; try something new; put some worship music on and just lay there enjoying the Lord. Let him fill you with his presence. Take your time. Don’t be in a rush. You don’t have to be religious to wait on the Lord.

God has a destiny and purpose for your life. Sometimes we have to fight for our inheritance. Sometimes we have to push through the barriers. “Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5