Dreamers and Detractors

I have always been fascinated by the life of Joseph.  As of late, I have been drawn in by the drama once again. I am really intrigued by his resilience and also his giftedness. This time, we're reading the story of Joseph as a part of our family worship. It was yesterday morning that this particular portion arrested my attention. It's only two verses, but I think they represent a magnanimous moment in the life of this young prodigy.

"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." 

-Gen. 37:19-20 NIV

What's so deep and ironic about this moment is that their reasoning and intentions are clear. Their plan is to completely cancel the dreams and the life of the dreamer.  Anyone who has read the story knows that their plan is ultimately thwarted, but what's amazing is that the exact opposite of what they wanted and intended is actually what happens.  There is a wild and turbulent ride ahead for Joseph, but ultimately their demotion was actually a promotion.

Herein lies a very deep life lesson...a growth spurt, if you like. There are many times in life that detractors and haters will seek to hurt you with their words and their actions toward you.  Painful as it may be to end up in a pit, it actually has the potential to turn into a promotion.  Pain positions us for purpose.  And so as Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." (Gen. 50:20).

Can you endure the scrutiny of your detractors, the embarrassment of a demotion, and the pain that comes from abuse? If you can, your dream might be closer than you think. You just wait, your setback might be a set-up for a comeback.

The Tornadoes…Within

By Akua Boateng

I am from California. Born and raised. So when I moved to Alabama I was amazed by tornadoes. I still remember my first one. I was extremely vigilant and terrified listening to the weather updates from underneath my storm approved hiding place.

As the catastrophic winds would blow, destroying the once inhabited places, I could never imagine getting “used to this.”

Unlike me, the native southerners often would have storm kits and action plans prepared for the season that came annually. For they had already experienced so many tornadoes in the past they knew what to do.  They had experienced this scary and emotionally stunning time before and now had grown to anticipate it.

Many of us have experienced (or are experiencing) tornadoes...within. Whether it is paralyzing uncertainty about the future, unrelenting thoughts from the past or frustrating confusion about the present, these internal emotional tornadoes seek to destroy whatever is established in its path. However, those who have an “emotional storm kit” and shelter for safety prepared often come out without as much damage.

Likened to a tornado storm kit, your emotional storm kit needs to include these 3 key essentials:

1. Non-perishables- Hope, Laughter and Past Survival Recollection
2. Flashlight – Spiritual Connection and Guidance
3. Radio – only authorized, beneficial, spiritual counsel to help you through internal crisis  (friends/family)

Emotionally growing people anticipate the tornadoes within that come with the growth process. However, they continue to thrive and progress after the storm because they had prepared themselves to adapt to the difficult life changes. Although they experience damage sometimes (we all do), a minor repair compared to rebuilding is the contrast. Are you prepared?

  Akua Opoku-Boateng is a clinical therapist turned youth career coach in Northeast Alabama. She has a passion for seeing individuals experience emotional growth & restoration. Read her full bio here. Otherwise, follow her on Twitter@kweeOlogy, and be sure to look for more of her posts on emotional growth regularly here on The Growth Network blog.