12/10/2025
Lessons I Learned from My Last Visit with PAPA
Out of the many things PAPA taught me during my last visit, I can only share eight:
1. Persecution is proof of strength.
People only backbite; no one front-bites. The more they talk, the stronger your impact.
2. Reinforce your spiritual life.
Every star is a target in this wicked world. The higher your rate of breakthrough, the greater the opposition. Don’t dwell on public opinion — you don’t need noise to make moves.
3. Channel your energy into progress, not reaction.
The energy you use to react is the same you need to make progress. Let your work speak for you.
They can call you names, but they cannot convert your results. Focus on your results — they will eventually silence insults.
4. Adversity fuels growth.
My spiritual father faced severe attacks, yet the church grew from 3,000 to 50,000 members in five years. The persecution became the fuel for expansion. Those who came to mock ended up joining.
5. Leaders see unity; preachers may see differences.
Great leaders celebrate common goals. Treat every attack as an opinion — everyone is entitled to one.
When someone insults you, for example saying, “Your leg is too short,” remember — they are not talking to you, but to your Maker.
6. Do good, even to those who won’t appreciate it.
Some people won’t show up for you — they didn’t even show up for his 70th birthday. Still, keep doing good. Every good deed you do returns to you from God.
7. Guard your heart.
Don’t let your attackers poison your heart with hatred or bitterness. Fill your heart with faith and let God’s love overwhelm you.
8. It’s difficult to love your enemies, but deeply fulfilling when you do. You will never stop receiving good things if you never stop doing good things.
Deuteronomy 32:9–14 — “The portion of the eagles.”
Verses 15–18 — A warning: don’t play with the things of God.
Let God remain at the center of your life. The greatest challenge in making an impact is keeping God in His rightful place. Always put God first.
Pick one of the eight lessons that speaks to you most and share it in the comments.
Happy Sunday!
Dr Stephen Akintayo.
