Break the Barrier

By Olumuyiwa Akande

There are many successful people in life who come from poor backgrounds. You would find some of their stories in this book. Many of them have access to limited resources while others battled disabilities and other challenges that would put the back of others on the ground.

How did they break the limiting barriers and come out successful despite their background? It is because they knew something that others do not know.

That information on what they knew is what this book would expose you to. This book gives a practical insight into some of the excuses people use to justify their failures and how such can be overcome by you until you stand out among others.

With useful biblical and contemporary illustrations to give a clearer understanding of how you can become a success irrespective of your beginning, circumstances or backgrounds, this book has what it takes to push you from where you are to where you ought to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Commune Writers Int'l
• Release date: Jun 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463886519

Olumuyiwa Akande

Olumuyiwa Akande is a man of many parts; a gospel minister, motivational speaker, corporate communication consultant, blogger, public affairs analyst, sports enthusiast, youth advocate, and compere, among others.Akande, a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has a mission of helping people discover their God-given purpose as well as fulfilling them. He has been doing these through multiple platforms in the last two decades. While the young population constitutes his primary focus, he has been privileged to work with people from diverse age grades and backgrounds.With about two decades of professional experience in Journalism and Corporate Communications, Akande has built competencies in Communications Strategy, Media Relations, Digital Media, Regulatory and Government Relations, Corporate and Retail PR, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sponsorship Management, Event Planning & Management, and Corporate Branding.He is a Linguistics graduate of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria as well as an alumnus of the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Bible College and currently an MBA student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.He currently heads the Corporate Communications department of SIFAX Group, a business interest with investments in diverse sectors of the country’s economy.Though this is his first effort at book publishing, he blogs regularly on his websiteHe lives in Lagos, Nigeria, and happily married to Abosede, a gospel music minister, and they are blessed with wonderful children.

Book preview

GOD DOESN'T CREATE FAILURES

Genesis 1: 26-27:

And God said, let us make man in our image and after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them.

While God decreed all the previously-made creations into existence by the power of His word, the Trinity Council, made of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, had to meet and deliberate exhaustively, before man was made. They knew that the creation that would come forth, would be imbued with special and defining characteristics, different from the ones possessed by other creations like the trees, fishes, animals and rivers, etc.

Man was created in the image of God and is therefore, expected to reflect His personality under any circumstance. Man is required to carry the DNA of God, which is the reality and the power of God.

One of the purposes of man on earth, as well as God’s desire for mankind, as also revealed in the scripture above, is DOMINION.

Man was created to reflect and demonstrate God’s authority on earth. Man is God’s representative and He constantly delegates His authority to him.

One of the primary functions of man is to DOMINATE according to verse 26. Man has been wired and designed by God to exercise dominion and authority over every situation, whether pleasant or not. Man is not expected to be tossed to and fro by any challenge, no matter how formidable it is. That will amount to disgracing God and shirking the responsibility of dominion that was freely and generously given at creation.

Even after the command of dominion issued to man and the subsequent empowerment in that regard, God still follows these with a beautiful plan as shown in Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

It is not part of God’s plan for mankind that any man should be conquered by problems, dangers, inferiority complex, regrets and failure. God’s daily routine includes a positive thought towards us, so that our lives can reflect His beauty and grace.

Our destiny, as encapsulated in his thoughts, is an embodiment of peace, success, dominion and prosperity. God has not created anybody as a failure but has designed us to overcome any circumstance and situation. Either internal or external, God hasn’t planned anything to overwhelm us. Within us is deposited the power to triumph.

Deuteronomy 28:13(a): And the Lord shall make thee the head and not the tail: and thou shalt be above only and thou shalt not be beneath…

Another of God’s great plan for us – to be the head and above only. What a great and wonderful God we have! He understands perfectly the premium place that headship occupies in any set up. The headship is where the control and command rest. It is the place of power and dominion. It is the place of authority and vision. It is a place of accomplishments and influence.

This is the place God wants you to occupy. He doesn’t want unpleasant situations to boss you around. He doesn’t want you to be at the receiving end of the vicissitudes and unpredictability of life. He wants you to be in charge and take control of the happenings around you. He wants you to dominate and excel. This is the plan of the Almighty God for your life. Yes, for your life. You were not created to be small. You were not fashioned to be a midget. You were not designed to operate under the jackboot of your enemy and evil forces. You were not created to be a slave of circumstance. You are more than what you see of yourself. He has deposited in you the treasure of authority and excellence.

God wants you to operate above the frequency and range of principalities and powers. He wants you to become a terror to the kingdom of darkness. He wants you to exude belief, confidence, and peace in the midst of tribulations and trials. In the Book of Exodus 14:14, there is a great assurance there: ‘The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

Also, Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not: for I am with thee; be not dismayed: for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with my right hand of righteousness.

Part of God’s plan for our lives is to be recipients of his help and support in times of trouble. The Israelites were caught between the Red Sea and the rampaging army of Egypt, Moses cried unto the Lord and God answered with his word of comfort and assurance in Exodus 14:14. And indeed, He eventually fought for the Israelites and granted them victory over their oppressors.

God created us not to be intimidated by the roaring of the evil ones or untoward situations. He is our father and ever willing, ready, and faithful to demonstrate how great He is when we find ourselves in problems and challenging pits.

Academically, you must understand that you are not created to be a failure. As a student, you were made to manifest an excellent spirit. Your grades and academic accomplishments must reflect God who is excellent in all ramifications. The depth of God’s knowledge is unsearchable. You are created in His image. You are expected to excel in your studies. You are not a dullard. He didn’t create you to be intellectually disadvantaged or academically deficient. He has blessed you with a razor-sharp mind that has the capacity to intimidate the world. There is a seed of excellence that came with your creation.

Maritally, God wants to help you build a godly home where peace and joy reign supreme. He didn’t bless you with that family so you could live a miserable life. Your home should be your comfort zone; a place of refreshing and recharging. Not a place you dread going after a hard day’s job. Your spouse is designed to bring you peace and comfort and not trouble and chaos. He is not a terrifying lion and she is not a ferocious tiger.

Your children are supposed to be manifestations of divine wonders as it is written in Isaiah 8:18: "Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount