Destiny may be simply defined as man’s predetermined course of events. God has planned a good life and destiny for His children but we have the responsibility to discover it and work it out. Our decisions and choices affect our destiny because God has given us our own will. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” God desires to help you accomplish your destiny, as long as you are taking positive steps that please Him.

Don’t let your background, failures or people’s opinion discourage you. Believe in yourself – you are who God says you are. You were created for a purpose. You have what it takes to fulfil that destiny, as long as you are pleasing God. It is His plan and desire for you to fulfil your destiny. As you fulfil your destiny, you will be valued and have a sense of self-esteem.

You need discipline, which is a product of goals, purpose, and destiny. Discipline makes all the difference in our lives. Many people lack discipline because they don’t understand the importance of goals and destiny. Such people are easily distracted and lose their direction.

Apostle Paul said something very instructive in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV): “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” Paul subjected his body to discipline. He understood that lack of discipline causes failure in all areas of life.

Recently, we were in an “all you can eat” restaurant in Canada and one bulky man was there alone on a table eating. The steward brought him the varieties of dishes he ordered. He was there, just eating and sipping his drink and I was carefully watching him to see how he could consume all he had ordered.

The man so overfed himself, until the speed of eating gradually slowed down. After a time, he just rested his head on the chair and dozed off. Then, he got up and started eating again. Because the money he paid had covered whatever he would eat, he decided to overeat. This is lack of discipline and self-control.

In order to fulfil your destiny, you need to have goals for specific accomplishments. The goals you set must be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound). And they must be in line with your purpose. Purpose is the reason you do what you do. You subject yourself to more rational decisions when you ask yourself the purpose for certain decisions and actions you take.

I am not a voracious reader and I don’t have interest in a wide range of subjects. I normally read only certain materials for the purpose of using them for my writings. I buy books only on my subjects of interest, and I watch videos and listen to teachings that make me become a better person and more valuable to others.

When you have a goal, you have the motivation. One of my goals is to write my column in Pharmanews every month, and this motivates me to read my subjects of interest for that purpose. Today, I have a sense of fulfilment that, from the maiden edition (May 1979), I have maintained my column every month.

I believe in doing little things well. In 2004, I was inspired to start writing small books of about 100 pages. What gives me joy is the consistency of the books. Today, I have 23 books. It gives me joy whenever I finish my column or complete my yearly book. I discipline myself to ensure my assignment is carried out regularly, as planned.

A fundamental question for everyone is the vision for your own life. This vision is God-given. You need to write down the vision for your life. Make it plain and simple. State what God is revealing to you. Work with Him to develop a plan that will put you on the path of your destiny.

What gives me confidence in Pharmanews is that God gave me that vision in 1978, and I wrote it down in a notebook with hard cover. When colleagues and friends ask me how Pharmanews started, I just show them my vision, and we have not deviated from it.

If you know your destiny was established by God before the foundation of the world, you have a reason to give Him glory.