Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
DAILY READING • – Romans 3:9-31; 1 Samuel 12; Psalm 57
In 1933, shortly after assuming power as chancellor of Germany, Hitler moved forward with plans to turn the 1936 Olympics into showcases for his regime. He ordered the construction of a massive new stadium in Berlin and channeled funds toward the completion of an airport to welcome international visitors. However at this time, Adolf Hitler preached a flawed doctrine called ‘Aryan Supremacy’ His doctrine claimed Germans were superior beings, while other races were inferior, ‘subhuman’ and should be eliminated. This he would later carry out in his systematic killing of over 6 million Jews, gypsies, blacks, Slavs, communists, etc. In fact, he deliberately kept Jews out of athletic events.
However as athletes arrived from other nations for the games, one of those representing America was a young black man named Jesse Owens. Jesse when he arrived Germany experienced hostility because he was black.
Though Jesse was unnerved by the evident disdain for the black race by the German people, he determined not to let the hatred for his race put him down, rather he decided to prove Hitler wrong before the whole world. He knew the odds were great, and he went on his knees in prayer to engage the help of God. And God did send help. As the competition commenced, Jesse shocked spectators with his amazing performance. From almost the get-go, Owens seized the reins as the star of the 1936 Summer Olympics. Owens undoubtedly stole the spotlight from the host country’s zealous leader. He broke Olympic records and won four gold medals, more than any other athlete. This made him the most successful athlete at the games. Hitler’s ‘Aryan Supremacy’ theory was quickly overturned as people saw that a black man of the ‘subhuman’ race had defeated the ‘superior’ Germans. Hitler was so infuriated that he refused to give Jesse the traditional congratulatory handshake. But the German people were won over, and Jesse became a crowd favorite. Hitler’s hatred instead of hindering Jesse had fueled him to become one of the greatest athletes of all times.
Indeed God can use your haters to promote you. We all know that God can bless us, show us favor, promote us, heal us, but we don’t always realize, God can use our enemies to bless us. The truth is that you couldn’t reach your destiny without them. it’s all a part of God’s plan to get you to where you’re supposed to be. In the journey of life, just as God has divine connections lined up, He also has people who will be used to push you. Goliaths are not for your destruction, but for your elevation. Discouragers and haters can stir you up. Those against us perhaps help us sometimes more than our friends. So understand that your haters are serving an important purpose in your destiny. We wouldn’t reach our highest potential without oppositions. If God removed some of oppositions today, you probably would become spiritually lazy. So God allows them sometimes as thorns on your side, to keep you pressing forward. Just as God strategically placed Goliath on David’s path and also used Joseph’s brothers; haters can push you to your throne. Without the naysayers you wouldn’t become all you were created to be. Thank God for your friends but also learn to thank God for your enemies. That’s why Paul tells us in Romans 12:20 ‘if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink’. Why? Because he is helping your destiny. You need to see people that oppose you in a new light. They are there to make you better, not bitter. They are there to press you so that the treasure buried in you can flow out. Perhaps if Hitler had not disdained the black race, Jesse may not have pushed as hard as he did to win the 4 gold medals, and prove him wrong. So instead of being discouraged by oppositions ask God to give you the needed wisdom to thrive. It is by the wisdom of God that pressures are turned to pleasures. The Holy Spirit as you seek Him, will show you how to maximize the situation. When you stay in faith, God will turn your stumbling blocks to stepping stones. He will turn your pain into power, and your mourning into dancing.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to see those that oppose me through the light of your Word. Help me to know that You are using them to move me into my greater destiny. .Grant me the grace to still love them despite what they may have done, because I know all things are working together for my good in Jesus name. .
QUOTE
When God places His hand upon a man, nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.- WORDBITE 222.