It’s been quite a while since my last post, on “How Haters Help”. The biggest reason for my hiatus has been, quite simply I have been busy. There has been no shortage, of lifes constant issues, that have kept me preoccupied. Today, my typically positive, easy going disposition was interupted by a moment of frustration. Thank God for great friends, and an awesome wife, to put things back into perspective. My friends have offered sage advice, and you guys know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. My wonderful wife, reminded me, “God, is more concerned with the effort of the rebound, than the quality of the shot.” God is indeed the best coach ever.

So you see, God has spoken to my heart, through many voices today, but none ring clearer, than what His Word is speaking. I had to go back to the previous post in the How Haters Help series, to fully realize, how I have lost perspective in my current situation. I moved into the natural progression of concern, that Joseph did in the story. [I guess I should of read ahead.] Joseph finds himself, sold into slavery, accused of horrendous crimes, and placed in prison, despite being innocent. He had no advocate for more than 13 years, even though God was constantly showing Him favor. Joseph then, saw within his reach, an opportunity to get out of his present predicament. He interprets the dream, of someone in position to plead his case to the king.

14 And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. 15 For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it.” – Genesis 40:14-15

I don’t know about you, but I would do the exact same thing had I been placed in the exact same situation. Make no mistake, the cup bearer could have told Pharoah, about his dream while he was incarcerated. But Pharoah wasn’t ready to hear, because he had not yet, dreamt his dream. Pharoah probably could have cared less about Joseph’s plight. It simply wasn’t the right timing. Fast forward 2 years, when no one else could help, Pharoah. Not even the wisest men in the land. When he found himself in a place of desperation, he didn’t care what the accusation was against Joseph. Pharoah, simply wanted what Joseph could provide. And, what was it that Joseph could provide? A gift given by God, to ultimately bring God glory, and save His people.

My story
There has been alot of accusation against me lately. While I might not be totally blameless in all aspects, I feel a ton of it is undeserved. Can anyone else relate to my story? I have solicited the prayers of my friends and loved ones, to help me through. I can honestly say, I feel an small inkling of what Joseph was facing. I don’t deserve, this! And like Joseph, through human efforts I attempted to turn the perception of me around. Well after an extended period, with nothing changing, guess what creeps in? You guessed it, frustration.

The awesome part about my story though, is despite the fact that I might stumble along the way, my story is not finished being written. My haters simply put me into position, that my purpose may be realized. Joseph was displaced, sold into slavery, and put into prison. All so that he could be at the right place, with the right skillset, when Pharoah dreamed a dream.

Ask yourself, are your hater’s positioning you to be at the right place, at the right time, to achieve your purpose? This is the question I find myself asking in this hour.

So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. – 1 Corinthians 9:26a

There it is ladies, and gentlemen fresh off the press, still striving to be all I can be. Yes, I have missed some steps along the way. I have lost sight of purpose, when haters have been breathing down my neck. But thank God my story isn’t finished being written, and neither is yours. I’m so grateful, for the rebound.

Previous Messages
How Haters Help
How Haters Help: Comfort Zones
How Haters Help: Character Development

Last time, I introduced “How Haters Help“. We discussed how God deals with his children, and promised to delve deeper into the story of Joseph. This go around, we want to explore “How Haters Help Us Get out of our Comfort Zone”

Daddy’s favorite, nice clothes, and big dreams is where our friend Joseph’s story begins. He was poised to be “The Man”, in Canaan. His father had given him a garment of distinction. This gift magnified what Jacob felt in his heart about Joseph, and further distinguished him from his brothers. While his father’s gift was cool, it was his God given gift that was going to separate him, and cause him to be a integral part of the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was an awesome honor, with a catch. He had to move from Canaan do what he was created to do. Jacob was given the dream but God didn’t give the blueprints on how He would accomplish his purpose. I think if Jacob had known this path was a rough one he might have not been wo quick, to share it, or maybe he would have even chalked it up to being a nightmare. Canaan represents a place of comfort for Joseph. Everyone knew he was gifted, and heard the dream. Jacob was a big fish in a small pond. If he was going to fulfill Gods purpose for his life, he needed to swim amongst sharks. He had to move out of a comfortable place, to find out what God already knew about his character. Jacob had no clue that the fulfillment of the dream would happen away from the place he called home. His Haters literally forced him out of his comfort zone. Would he have left otherwise?

Human nature often gravitates toward the path of least resistance. We must learn that the resistance is necessary for growth. No champions are birth in comfortable situations. Are you going through a tough situation, and those around you seem to be making matters worse? Ask yourself, “Am I being forced out of my comfort zone?”

Once I learn that God values character over comfort, my comfortable places seem really unimportant. So let’s shift our sight to becoming people with character. We will explore “How Haters Help Develop Character” next time.

A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. -Denis Waitley

Previous Messages

How Haters Help

Upcoming Messages:

Haters Help Develop Godly character.
Haters Help Us Achieve our purpose.

One of most powerful life stories that I have ever heard, was about a young man who experienced what seemed like impossible obstacles to overcome. This young man experienced tragedies, that most of us could only imagine, and yet his resolve and trust in God, caused him to become one of the most powerful men in the country. He was an extremely gifted young man in a house full of extremely gifted people. Yet, because he was his Father’s favorite, his older half brother’s despised him. (His dad had some serious baby mama drama, going on under his roof.) His brother’s were on the record, as not being able to say a single nice thing about him. Talk about some haters, and in your own household nontheless. Home is supposed to be a place where you feel love, and appreciation, where you can be nurtured and have a sense of belonging. Well not for the young man in our story.

The haters eventually became so outraged at the young man, they figured that he would be better off dead. They plotted to kill him and cover their tracks with an elaborate lie. You may be able to tell bye now that the life story I am writing about is of “Joseph” from the Bible. (The story can be found in Genesis 37-50 ) As if everything I have written till this point was not bad enough, Joseph eventually was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused and thrown in prison. It is estimated that over a 13 year period, Joseph lived a life that most would call, down right horrific. I can only imagine that he prayed like the psalmist:

O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? – Psalm 10:1; O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” – Psalm 3:1-2

Have you ever found yourself praying those words, or something similar? I know I have. “Lord help me to shake these hater’s off.” The term “Haters” is used very often in our society, and I am sure Joseph could definately identify with those of us, who have people who “Hate on Us”. I have an opinion that some of us are overly sensitive, and categorize others as a Hater prematurely, but that’s for another post another time. I want to address today, and in the coming weeks, those who have legitimate Haters in their life, and expose the fact that God actually uses haters in our lives, to accomplish for our benefit. My prayer is by the time you have read all of my posts about “How Haters Help”, you will embrace the Haters in your life, as a way to draw you closer to God.

One of the great mysteries of God is His ways, and although mysterious they are always successful. (Romans 11:33, Psalm 10:5) Sometimes He appears to be turning His head, or giving us a deaf ear, but God doesn’t do anything without purpose. He is purposed to mature our faith, and transform us into men and women who live like Christ. He is more concered with our character than our comfort. – Chuck Swindoll. Character is built as we go through dark times. Anyone can curse and yell, when Haters, do what Haters do. But someone who has had their character developed, can find peace and wisdom in the midst of chaos that is all around them.

I am reminded of the scene from the Movie “Ray”. When Ray Charles was a young boy, not long after he lost his sight. He ran into the house, tripped, and fell to the ground. Immediately he began to yell for his Mama. Fighting back her motherly instincts, she continued to do what she was doing prior to him falling. After being in that dark place, for a bit he began to identify familiar sounds, heightening his awareness of the things around him. The slight sound of a grasshopper on the floor, which a person with sight would probably ignore, peaked his curiosity. He then noticed, that his mother was present the entire time. This is just like with God, in our dark hours, like with Joseph, God is ever present, he is simply preparing us to see with our spiritual eyes, and hear with our spiritual ears.

I hope that you will check back as we move through the story of Joseph. Allowing his life story to teach us How Haters Help.

Upcoming Messages:

Haters Help Us Get out of our “Comfort Zone”.
Haters Help Develop Godly character.
Haters Help Us Achieve our purpose.