By: Eyiangho T. Godwin
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INTRODUCTION
When there are so many afflictions, sufferings or problems of life, human beings generally think or say there is no God or is there God? The basis reason for this is if God exists, why should He allow these bad things to happen to man?
However, the Israelites whenever they were oppressed by the heathen nations, they turned to God for help as shown in the book of Judges.
Today, the world especially Nigeria is plagued with a lot of problems leading to severe economic hardship and insecurity.
What is our response at a time like this? Are we like those who say there is no God and give up? No, not at all! We must never lose hope as we do the following for solution or victory.
CONFESS POSITIVELY
The power of life and death are in the tongue and thus we must confess our faith in the word of God positively with thanksgiving in the midst of these problems (Proverbs 18:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Remember the Shunamite woman who confessed that it was well with her even when her son was already dead(2 kings 4:20,26,37). She got her victory before the actual victory with that positive confession. Remember Job and Christ (Job 1:21, John 11:41).
BE FOCUSED
Problems of life are distractions, but we must refuse to be distracted. In our various problems, we must focus on Christ steadily as Peter began to sink when he focused on the raging wind and waves instead of Christ (Matthew 14:27-31).
Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego did not focus on the burning fiery furnace heated seven times more than normal but on the power of God to deliver them anytime and anywhere (Daniel 3:17,18). We must never lose hope or faith in Christ no matter the trials we are passing through (Hebrews 12:2).
CONTINUE TO TELL GOD
The fact that Nigeria’s problems and our individual trials have not been solved, must not stop us from talking to God about them. God said to the Israelites in (Jeremiah 32:27) – “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? And in the New Testament, Christ said with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Therefore, for Nigerians to have good leadership, good governance (peace and security) and economic buoyancy and for our problems to be solved individually, we must continue to pray God for His divine intervention like the widow in the book of (Luke 18:1-8,1 Timothy 2:1,2).
DRAW NEARER TO GOD
In the Beauty of Trials, I said when severe trials break out, some Christians break away from God. This is wrong!
At a time like this when things are difficult, we must go to God in prayers, praises, fasting, study of God’s words, righteousness, faithfulness, and so on, as the word of God directed us (James 4:8, Hebrews 10:22). As we do this, we must get more grace to help us overcome our problems (Hebrews 4:16).
CLAIM CHRIST’S VICTORY
We must realize that Christ came to the earth and lived righteously, suffered, died, and resurrected to overcome the world (Satan, sinful living and problems of life) not for Himself but for those who will obey and do His will (John 16:33).
It is when we claim the victory of Christ for us and key into it by faith, that we will have our own victory over the world (I John 5:4).
BE HOPEFUL OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE
I said in the Beauty of Trials, replace all your problems or sufferings with eternal life and you will be glad and relieved that you have hope.
Christians are not hopeless people. After the fiery and great tribulations (sufferings) here, they will have perfect rest with God in heaven (1 Peter 1:3,4; Revelation 21:4).
CONCLUSION
Brethren, no matter the degree of our sufferings or hardships, we must never lose hope of victory here and hereafter (eternal) for our God is always faithful to all His promises (Hebrews 10:23, 2 Corinthians 1:20).
We must constantly pray more for one another.
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