1. Count It All Joy
By Stella Chikengezha
LIFE holds the best for everyone. One wise man once said, ‘Soar high and the world will be
at your feet.’ Chances and opportunities happen to them all, but it only takes those who believe
and understand that they are the leading roles in the movie of their lives to have it all.
There was a young lady in a city of Harare who grew up as an orphan under the guardianship of
her maternal grandmother. She experienced all the hardships life could ever hold for anyone.
Her grandmother taught her to be strong and brave always, she used to tell her that ‘challenges
can never make the brave weak, rather it makes them much stronger.’ This encouraged Esther to
be positive minded, goal-oriented, focused and innovative counting it all joy whenever the
unsympathetic wind could blow on her or whenever walls seemed to be crushing her in.
Esther’s life was full of ups and downs; criticisms were her ambiance of life. Everyone in her
community used to utter painful words on her and some would feel pity for her, but she always
told herself that no one had the power to make her feel vulnerable. Esther always prayed unto
God for protection and the zeal to look forward and the strength to conquer every challenge.
She pondered on the words from the bible in 2Timothy 1vs7 which says; “For God did not give
us the spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind”. Esther never feared anything because
she believed the power to make the best out of her life laid in her mind.
Even though life seemed hopeless she always believed that one day all would be well for her.
Her grandmother named her after Esther from the bible who was an orphan, but through the love
of God she conquered all and she moved from being an orphan and despised Jew to become a
Queen.
Esther hoped that one day all her dreams could be accomplished and the sky was the limit for
her. She rose up against all odds and surprised people who thought that nothing good could ever
come out of her but she would only follow the trail of her deceased mother who was a prostitute.
Esther became a lawyer and started her own Orphanage, the children were like a family she
never had. She always encouraged them to look at the brighter side of life, Esther served the
purpose designed for her to be a miracle to someone vulnerable. She always taught them that life
can be full of challenges, judgments and disparagement but faith is what makes the weaker
strong and achieve the best.

2. Hope, love, joy, laughter, humility and gentleness is what one ought to have so as to fulfill life’s
goals, purpose and dreams. Hebrews 2vs7; “You made them a little lower than angels, crowned
them with glory and honor and everything is under their feet.” Everything one can ever yearn for
is possible because no opposing power can ever limit or subjugate them.
Whatever you wish to do make it happen today because now is the time and even if the road to
success might be twisted, count it all joy.