God has big purpose for you

“Life has two rules. The first rule is to never give up. The second rule is to remember the first rule.”

A while back, I went on a business trip to Pennsylvania, and I thought about the life of entrepreneur Milton S. Hershey.

As I drove my car through the charming town of Lancaster, I recalled a book I had read years before about Hershey’s path to success, which was paved with stumbling blocks and pitfalls.

Hershey was a farm boy who left school in the fourth grade and then apprenticed for a printer who published a newspaper. He was not keen about that line of work and soon left.

Thereafter, he started an apprenticeship for a candymaker and found that he had a natural talent for the “sweet” profession.

After a few years, young Hershey decided to go out on his own. His limited funds and limited formal education did not stop him from following his vision. He began a candy company. Yet, after some time it failed.

Hershey tried again and determinately founded another candy enterprise. It was unsuccessful, too.

Lacking resources and almost bankrupt, courageously, Hershey didn’t yield. Refusing to falter in the face of adversity, he looked into the future. Working hard, he persevered. With the important lessons he had learned, Hershey kept moving forward toward his goals.

“Success certainly did not come early or easily for Hershey,” I thought to myself. His story makes me wonder, “How many of us allow past setbacks to weaken us and prevent us from pressing on to fulfill the dreams of our heart?”

Then, a turning point came in Hershey’s life. He utilized a unique caramel recipe which he had stumbled upon during his earlier days, and he launched a caramel company. Before long, the business became a great success.

However, through his experiences, Hershey astutely believed that chocolate products would appeal to the masses. Through trial and error, he worked tirelessly at perfecting a delicious, milk chocolate recipe.

Subsequently, he sold the caramel company for a large sum of money. He wanted to devote all his time to realizing his dream of manufacturing and distributing chocolate, while giving generously to philanthropic causes.

Today, “Hershey” is a household name.

Are you right in front of a difficulty that seems overwhelming? Like Milton Hershey, take one more step forward. There is hope beyond what you face now. You’re too close to stop, for God, who has put the desire within your heart, will surely lead you to its possession. The Bible tells us, “Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)

So hold an optimistic outlook. Speak aloud confirmatory words. And believe you will attain positive outcomes.

In the Scriptures I read that when speaking to the centurion who had a servant who was ill, Jesus said, “and as you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matthew 8:13).

To the parents of a sick child, Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

What we think and what we say has a way of coming true. Thus, try this: Take out your Bible. Find one of God’s promises for your particular situation. Attach a promise to the problem. Next, speak aloud the promise in faith.

With gladness, hour-by hour and day-by-day, keep on striving, press onward and move forward. God is saying to you today, “I will be with you.”

The time is here; your season of blessings has arrived.