Battles Come Before Blessings
Do not be dismayed.
Do not fear because joy cometh in the morning, even after mourning.
Often, people cannot understand the trials and tribulations of life.
Sometimes, they come without warning and seem to never go away.
But before every blessing, often comes a battle or a lesson.
Why?
Before a monumental breakthrough in your journey, the battle ensues within because the enemy knows your potential and your greatness.
Sure, when people think of blessings they think of financial blessings or blessings from a relationship.
But your biggest blessing often comes from how you can become a blessing to others.
That is why the enemy wants to break you before you get to your breakthrough.
He knows that if he can stop your purpose it can adversely affect those needing your wisdom, love, expertise and testimony to get to the next level of their life or their spiritual journey.
The year 2019 presented a yearlong battle for my family and I.
While I usually hate “woe is me” articles, when my woe can lead someone to a win, I think it is sinful to keep my testimony to myself.
The year started with so much hope and anticipation for me.
I had some financial blessings lined up for 2019 and I thought that was all I needed to get me to the next level.
Furthermore, I thought that the money would make 2019 my best year ever.
Boy, was I wrong.
As the year started, I lost my uncle Hollis Walls on my father’s side of the family.
He had battled diabetes for years and the family had prepared as best as they could for his transition to be with the Lord.
Then I lost my uncle Arthur Smith, Sr. on my mother’s side of the family.
He too had battled a long illness and despite the loss, the family had prepared for his transition too.
Then unexpectedly, my cousin Brian Griffin, who is a month younger than me, died unexpectedly after suffering a seizure.
Like many relatives, age and life can separate you from a loved-one.
But after Uncle Arthur died, Brian and I decided to make an effort to stay in touch.
We exchanged phone numbers, followed each other on Instagram and looked forward to restoring the bond we had as children.
Probably two weeks later, Brian died.
While at Brian’s funeral, I got to spend a lot of time with my mom’s oldest sister, Beverly Smith.
I loved talking to Aunt Bell because as the oldest she had all of the family history that mother did not have being one of the youngest siblings.
Aunt Bell still had not totally gotten over the death of her husband of well over 50 years, Uncle Arthur, who had just died.
Then out of the blue, Aunt Bell died on a trip to Atlanta.
By this time, all of the money that I was prepared to earn did not materialize because a former friend stabbed me in the back just to further advance her career.
Honestly, I could have probably done some things differently in that situation.
Therefore, I cannot totally blame my former friend for that outcome.
I pray God continues to bless her, her family and her friends.
No worries because I had to keep it going and keep pursuing my dreams.
My family and I kept RegalMag.com prospering and I continued to make regular appearances on the talk show “Isiah Factor Uncensored,” which by this time had gone national on the new streaming network, Fox Soul.
The regular appearances helped me continue to gain exposure, which will lead to success for my five television programs that will appear on your television screen, computer or mobile device very soon.
But just when things could not get worse for my family (especially my mother’s side of the family) came another death.
My mother’s first cousin Iris “Poochie” Lilly passed on Dec. 19 after a battle with cancer.
While trying to make plans to attend Cousin Poochie’s funeral, my mother fell gravely ill on Dec. 21 and had to be rushed to the hospital where she stayed for three nights, two nights in the intensive care unit.
All of this (my cousin’s passing and my mother’s illness) happened as I desperately anticipated the close of 2019, and the beginning of 2020 because the new year has to have blessings and breakthroughs with my name on it.
And 2020 will have those blessings and breakthroughs for me, and my movement.
Prepare to see “Regal Roundtable” reintroduced nationally.
Prepare to see “Regal Roundtable” reach one million viewers every episode.
And prepare to see RegalMag.com reach one million unique monthly visitors per month.
And prepare to see me personally use my journey and testimony to minister to people and to praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why?
The reason is God sends blessings to those He can send blessings through.
But you have to persevere if you want to achieve true greatness in life.
The problem is many people get distracted.
The problem is many people get discouraged.
But as my pastor Rev. Ralph Douglas West always says in his benediction, “be encouraged.”
Your testimony will make the victory that much more beautiful.
Your testimony will help you connect better with people going through hardships.
And the fact that you did not give up will encourage someone else not to give up too.
Abolitionist Harriet Tubman once said, “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want to taste freedom, keep going.”
While Tubman obviously spoke of emancipation from physical enslavement, do not become a slave to doubt, fear, pain, struggle or failure.
Blessings come when you keep going not matter how hard the battle was.
I wrote, “was” and not “is” because the battle is over (past tense) and your breakthrough is now (present and future tense).
The year 2020 is our year for tremendous blessings!
Claim it.
