OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Challenges are a part of life and there is nothing anybody can do to avoid them. They are a part of life on earth. Sometimes when we go through challenges, it could feel like the end has come or as if there will never be better days again but sooner than later, the cloud lifts, and sunshine comes into the horizon and the wind of affliction is blown away, reminding us again of change and the healing it can bring when we allow it. Scriptures says that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all.” If you are someone who believes in God then get ready to be challenged by the devil. Did you think that the devil will just leave you alone? Did he leave Job alone even when Job had God’s favour? The devil is not happy that you came to Christ and accepted him as your Saviour. And he will do everything to make sure you curse God or make you believe that God has abandoned you. He will even use people closest to you, even tongue speaking Christians to test you. He will use situations that sometimes appear to defy solutions but listen to what Jesus is saying in John 16:33- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have perfect peace. In the world, you have tribulations and distress and suffering, but be courageous, [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.”

I don’t know how Christians bought into this lie that they are to be exempted from trials and tribulations. What we should rather ask for is the grace to face whatever comes our way with courage and to stand firm in faith while God fights for us. But many times, we don’t wait for God to fight for us; we are good at fixing our problems ourselves. In fact, in some quarters, they say, God is not against being helped.  Seriously, can we help God?  Yet, God is saying to us as He said to Paul in 2^nd Corinthians 12:9, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.”  God’s power is readily more available in our weaknesses or when we face challenges, if only we will tap into it.  If we can tap into it, we will experience God in such dimensions that will turn our raw iron into gold, after it has been proved in the furnace of affliction. As much as we must take proactive steps to solve our problems, the solutions must not be contrary to God’s will. Honestly, God’s will is not always palatable but it always works for our good according to Romans 8:28.