Over the past several weeks, we have seen that endurance is vital to ensuring that we live victorious and triumphant lives.
This is despite the fact, that in life, we may face all kinds of adversities and hardships.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, just because you are a born again believer, washed in the blood of Christ, does NOT exempt you from such adversities.
These hardships and difficulties come to every one alike.
Furthermore, I have discovered, that hardships often prepare you for supernatural and “out of the ordinary” living.
I thought it would be a good thing today to examine the lives of several people, who through sheer determination and endurance, were able to overcome life’s many obstacles and achieve the impossible.
Coca-Cola, in their first 12 months sold only 400 bottles. But they refused to give up and look at where they are today.
Colonel Sanders (KFC) went to over 1 000 places trying to sell his chicken recipe before he found a buyer interested in his 11 herbs and spices. Seven years later, at the age of 75, he sold his company for $15 million.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Ludwig van Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer. His concertos are still being played today.
Mary Kay Ash up until 45 years of age, sold books and home goods door-to-door. But she refused to give up until she eventually became the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics and one of the most influential businesswomen in American history.
Amancio Ortega left high school at the age of 14 and began working for a shirt maker where he learned the art of apparel making. With an aptitude to work hard and a “never give up” spirit, Ortega went on to open his first clothing store in 1975 together with his wife.
Today, Zara has 6 200 stores in 70 countries.
Oprah Winfrey was born into a poor family in Mississippi but she never let that hold her back. Her sheer determination caused her to win a scholarship to Tennessee State University where she soon became the first African American TV correspondent at the age of 19.
In 1983, Winfrey moved to Chicago to work for an AM talk show which would later be called "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
The rest is history.
Do Won Chang and “Forever 21.” Don Won Chang and his family moved from Korea to America in 1981. He worked three jobs as janitor, petrol station attendant and coffee shop helper. He did this so as to feed his family and to make ends meet. But that never stopped him from pursuing his dreams. Three years later, together with his wife, they opened their first clothing store in 1984 called Fashion 21 which later became known as Forever 21.
Forever 21 is now an international clothing empire with 480 stores worldwide. Their sale each year is around $3 billion.
Leonardo del Vecchio was one of five children who were eventually sent to an orphanage because his widow mother couldn't care for him. But he never allowed hardships to hold him back. Instead he persevered and soon began to work in a factory making moulds of motor parts and eyeglass frames.
At the age of 23, Del Vecchio opened his own moulding shop, which expanded to become the world's largest maker of sunglasses and prescription eyewear with brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley.
Someone once said that hardships and poverty often time are the best incentives and foundation for success.
That may be true.
However, the fact remains that all of these people became what they are, because they simply refused to give up.
Dear friend, how much more you and I who have the blessed Holy Spirit indwelling us? (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19).
The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power living in you. (Romans 8:11).
Come on, like Caleb, YOU are well able to go in and possess your blessing!
DECLARATION:
I am a conqueror through Christ and am well able to possess every promise of God.