Arise

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request (I Chron 4:9, 10). 

You can blame others for your past and present situations, but not for your future.  By your thoughts, actions, habits, character and general work attitude you create your own future. Life is what you make it; ‘as a man thinketh in his heart so is he’ (Prov 23:7). 

The Biblical character Jabez had every reason to fail in life. Why? The name Jabez meant distress. His mother went through so much pain during his birth that, she decided to call him distress. The sad reality is that Jabez received a legacy of distress. A name gives one an identity and has a spiritual influence. When the name of something is mentioned, instantly a mental picture is created in your mind. Jabez was given a wrong identity right from birth, but yet he became more honorable or distinguished than all his brothers at the end.

Watch how Jabez turned his life around.

1.    He discovered God’s purpose to bless him.

2.    He was not satisfied with his present identity, name or the status quo.

3.    He did not hide behind the excuse of blaming others for his life.

4.    He took responsibility and prayed unto Jehovah Elohim the Creator of heaven and earth, who has the power to recreate any situation.

5.    Finally he worked and prayed till he became blessed and more honorable than all his brothers.

Biologically, God has given all people almost the same potential. Genetic research has found a variation of only 0.001% in single base-pair DNA between any two random humans globally (no matter their race). Simply put, apart from the color of our skin we are almost the same except for a genetic variation of 0.001%. That is why race doesn’t matter during organ transplants and blood transfusions. 

More so, as a child of God you have no excuse to be a failure in life. It is said that when Alexander the great was born there were two eagles hovering over his house. The good news is when you were born again there was jubilation in heaven. You are not a mere man, you have been made heavenly through the second Adam (1 Cor 15:48). Take responsibility for your life and turn things around, your future is in our own hands. Finally, remember that ‘…with God all things are possible,’ and sinking does not mean you are sunk, rise up. (Matthew 19:26).