Breakthrough
Some of the greatest inventions in life were the result of a barrier the inventor had faced but refused to give up hope on. Some of the greatest stories are from people who overcame obstacles & handicaps (Ben Underwood). Whether in the medical arena, sports field, technology or travel, all breakthroughs can about because someone refused to breakdown & breakthrough.
Barriers are a way of life. Life is full of barriers, obstacles and roadblocks. These barriers can release great breakthrough in our lives or set us up for great breakdown. It all depends on how we face them. The life of Joseph gives us a wonderful picture of a man that refuses to breakdown.
He realized that:
Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown and believe
Breakthroughs aren’t obtained by the talented but the tenacious. You see, Joseph was not a superhero. He was just a young man who realized God gave him the dream and only God could take it away. His brothers or his father could not take what they had not given to him. His dream would not be validated or voided based on his circumstances.
Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown and prepare
Promotion comes without warning but not with out preparation. We cannot sit idly by and wait for breakthrough to happen. We must continue to give our best and prepare everyday for that day of breakthrough. Joseph kept doing the right thing even when no one noticed. His integrity would not allow him to stop doing his best. Everyday in Potiphar’s house or in the prison, he gave his best effort.
Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown and be free
We all know people who have been released from prison but are still prisoners to their past. It is possible to be out of a situation but still be imprisoned by it. Your location might change but the memories can keep you locked up. If we are to breakthrough we must be free from yesterday’s bondages. You are not defined by what happened to you.
Notice Genesis 41:51
51Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and the family of my father.” 52Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.”
Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown.
Barriers are not removed in one decision or action, it is a series of decisions or actions. Joseph had two sons: Manasseh & Ephraim following his release from prison. Their names are important. Manasseh means “Forgetful” while Ephraim means “Fruitful”. The principle is deep but simple, “You must give birth to forgetfulness in order to produce fruitfulness.” You will never be fruitful as long as you hold on to the hurts of yesterday.
The Apostle Paul, the former persecutor & murderer of the church said:
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13
We cannot change our past but we can change our present & future. We must make a decision to give birth to forgetfulness. Like a baby, forgetfulness is a action that is conceived, developed and then delivered. It is a process.
Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown.
1. Acknowledge hurt to begin with.
If we are to forget we must first admit the pain exists. Our natural defense system causes us to deny that any pain or hurt ever exist to begin with. We refuse to give the abuser the satisfaction to acknowledge their actions effected us in any way. Joseph was able to identify that he had had trouble in his life.
2. Identify its source
Next, Joseph identified the source of this conflict & pain. He states that “the family of my father” is where the trouble came from. He had to identify the source if he was ever going to be healed. Knowing what caused the pain can be the first step to achieving freedom.
3. Give it to God
Lastly, Joseph states that “God made him forget”. Every unfortunate memory of abuse, neglect, abandonment and betrayal has a pain associated with it. It is not until we are healed from the pain of the event are we truly able to event for the glory of God. The abuse is a one time affliction that left undealt with can imprison you for a lifetime. Once the pain is faced & handed over to God, you are now on the verge of breakthrough.
Not being fruitful in your marriage, career, relationships or endeavors? Check and see if you have moved into forgetfulness. Forgetfulness must be produced before fruitfulness.
Remember, Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown!