Blessings' mornings had begun to follow a routine. Each day, he woke before sunrise, knelt in prayer, and made his way to meet Kunda under the baobab tree. His afternoons were spent training—not with weapons or physical tools, but with scripture, prayer, and a deepening understanding of the spiritual realm.
Though the process was rigorous, there was something profoundly humbling about it. Blessings began to see the world differently, understanding that the physical struggles of life were mere reflections of unseen spiritual battles. But even with this revelation, the path ahead was far from easy.
---
One afternoon, Kunda led Blessings to a quiet spot by a river that snaked its way through the outskirts of the village. The water sparkled under the sun, and the gentle sound of its flow filled the air.
"Today," Kunda began, "we will test your spirit."
Blessings raised an eyebrow. "Test it how?"
Kunda didn't answer directly. Instead, he pointed to a large stone in the riverbed. "Do you see that stone?"
Blessings nodded.
"I want you to carry it to the top of that hill." Kunda gestured to a steep incline nearby.
Blessings stared at the hill, then at the stone. "That's impossible. It's too heavy."
Kunda smiled knowingly. "Do you remember what I taught you about challenges?"
Blessings sighed. "That they're meant to strengthen us, not defeat us."
"Exactly. Now go."
Reluctantly, Blessings waded into the river. The cool water rushed around his legs as he bent down to grip the stone. It was heavier than it looked, and his muscles strained as he lifted it.
Step by step, he made his way toward the hill. The stone seemed to grow heavier with each step, and by the time he reached the base of the incline, his arms were trembling.
"You're almost there," Kunda called from behind him.
Blessings gritted his teeth and pushed forward, each step feeling like a mountain in itself. Sweat dripped down his face, and his breath came in short, ragged gasps.
Halfway up the hill, his strength gave out. The stone slipped from his grasp and tumbled back down to the riverbed. Blessings collapsed to his knees, frustration boiling over.
"I can't do it!" he shouted. "It's too much!"
Kunda approached, his expression calm. "Do you want to know why you failed?"
Blessings glared at him. "Because I'm not strong enough."
Kunda shook his head. "No. You failed because you tried to do it alone."
---
Kunda placed a hand on Blessings' shoulder and led him back to the base of the hill. "This time," he said, "pray before you begin. Ask for strength beyond your own."
Blessings hesitated, but then he knelt by the river and closed his eyes. "Lord," he whispered, "I can't do this on my own. Please help me."
When he opened his eyes, he felt a strange sense of calm. The stone was still heavy, but as he lifted it, he felt a surge of strength he couldn't explain.
With renewed determination, he began the climb again. This time, each step felt purposeful, as though he wasn't carrying the burden alone.
When he finally reached the top of the hill, he set the stone down and collapsed beside it, tears streaming down his face.
"You did it," Kunda said, his voice filled with pride.
"No," Blessings said quietly. "He did it."
---
The lesson stayed with Blessings, shaping how he approached every challenge that came his way. But the trials were far from over.
---
One evening, Kunda gave Blessings an unexpected task. "I want you to spend the night in the forest," he said.
"Alone?" Blessings asked, his voice tinged with fear.
Kunda nodded. "You must learn to face your fears. There are no shortcuts on this journey."
Reluctantly, Blessings agreed. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he made his way into the forest with nothing but a small lantern and his Bible.
The forest was alive with sounds—crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and the occasional distant howl of an animal. Though the air was cool, Blessings felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple.
As the hours passed, the sense of unease grew stronger. Every shadow seemed to move, and every sound seemed louder than it should have been.
Around midnight, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew heavy, and a chilling presence enveloped him. Blessings clutched his Bible tightly, his heart pounding.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice trembling.
A sinister laugh echoed through the trees. "You think you can stand against me?" a voice hissed.
Blessings dropped to his knees, fear threatening to overwhelm him. The presence grew stronger, and he felt as though a weight was pressing down on his chest.
But then he remembered Kunda's teachings: The battle is not yours; it belongs to God.
"Jesus," he whispered. "Help me."
The oppressive presence recoiled slightly, but it didn't leave.
Blessings opened his Bible, his hands shaking. He flipped to Psalm 23 and began to read aloud: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…"
With each word, the darkness seemed to retreat. By the time he finished the Psalm, the air felt lighter, and the presence was gone.
Blessings sat there, trembling but victorious. He had faced the darkness and overcome it—not by his own strength, but by the power of the Word.
---
When he returned to Kunda the next morning, the old man greeted him with a smile. "How do you feel?"
"Tired," Blessings admitted. "But stronger."
Kunda nodded. "Good. You're beginning to understand what it means to rely on God. But remember, this is just the beginning. Greater trials lie ahead."
Blessings nodded, determination shining in his eyes. He didn't know what the future held, but he was ready to face it—one trial at a time.