In the midst of surviving domestic violence encouragement is such a necessity. I asked my friend, Pastor David Katina if I could share some of his notes with you. Dave is an amazing story teller and wonderful at helping me keep things in perspective. Although he didn't originally write this as domestic violence encouragement, it is delicious food for thought, a great read and very encouraging!!
“Invictus Dreamers”
By Pastor David Katina
There are day-dreamers and then there are "Invictus Dreamers". Which one are you?
A few weeks ago Debbie and I saw the movie, "Invictus". I enjoyed the movie first of all because it's based on a true story. Nelson Mandela, after being a prisoner for over 20 years comes out and soon becomes elected President of South Africa. Wow! From a prisoner to the President of a nation. That's my kind of story. "Invictus" did not hi-lite the power of a dream. God is the dream-giver but the emphasis isn't on God either. Invictus which is Latin for "unconquered" spot lites the tenacity of the dreamer...the invictus dreamer.
As I continue my daily Bible reading, the main character is now, "Joseph". In Genesis 37, Joseph, like Mandela, has a dream of one day doing something great. In a nutshell, Joseph dreams of the PALACE. Did the dream come true? YES! But not until 13 years later...what happened between the birth of the dream and the fulfillment of the dream? Well...before arriving at the palace...Joseph went through several phases of the journey. I call these phases, "The three "P's" before the Palace,"...The Pit (Gen. 37:24) Potiphar's House (Gen. 39) Prison (Gen. 39:19) For 13 years...Joseph became the victim of jealousy and hatred, false accusations and abandonment to name a few. How did Joseph endure the delays and the discouragement? He was an invictus dreamer. Let me share with you 5 truths in the word D.R.E.A.M. that will help you and I to obtain "Invictus Dreamer" status...
D - Devote yourself tenaciously to the dream
R - Release forgiveness toward those who may have hurt or mistreated you
E - Examine your heart daily and forsake negative thoughts that contaminate dreams
A - Assist others in their pursuit of their dreams
M - Manage your time, relationships, finances, and opportunities that will empower the dream
In pursuit of this Dream...remember that with God all things are possible and you are "unconquerable." Let me share with you a poem that helped President Nelson Mandela keep his focus during his time of confinement:
"UNCONQUERED"
Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole. I thank my God Supreme, for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade. And yet the menace of the years, finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, how changed with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
**HaVeAgr8LiFe!!**
I hope you enjoyed this note as much as I did. Although this was written for people going through many different situations, it is great domestic violence encouragement. I hope you are encouraged, able to start looking forward, and dreaming big.
Only you know when it is safe to leave your domestic violence situation, or
change the locks. Look over the safety plans, and get the assistance you need when you decide to leave your domestic violence situation. You don't have to go through this alone. Please be safe!!
Go to surviving-domestic-violence-encouragement from domestic violence encouragement part 6
Go to surviving-domestic-violence.org from domestic violence encouragement part 6
