There is always something that either keep our hands beneath the chin, racking the brain for a solution or our knees on the ground praying for an answer to surrounding problems.
There's always something that keep us in a quest for solution to our challenges. Literally, every human being is a solution seeker.
Even the wealthiest person existing today has a challenge even with all the influence and affluence. That's a perfect example to tell that money can't answer every problem.
So long you have breath in your nostrils and live in a world that can never be void of problems, there will always be something that will try to put you down.
However, there are times when our "going" in the walks of life will get tough.
Some scare the wits out of us.
Some cause us to give in on the long run. Some get us depressed.
Some result many to become suicidal.
Some chokes the little hope left and even worst, shifts men from God.
Nevertheless, none of those effects are good, neither is it the best approach towards problems whenever they get slammed at our faces.
You shouldn't let it win. You give your enemies and foes (the devil especially) a reason to smile by doing so. Getting depressed, thinking suicidal thoughts, giving up or having your faith tainted because of failure or delay in reaching your life's goals and expectations is exactly what the devil wants.
He wants to invade your life with grief and anxiety. He wants you to call it quits. He wants you to be tied down in fear and unbelief. He wants to chatter your hopes and expectations. He wants you to become a failure.
Paying attention to those things he attacks your life with gives him an advantage and hedge over your life.
You've got to say NO.
I want you to understand something the Holy Spirit taught me.
When the "going" in your life's pursuit, your business, goals and dreams, marriage, ministry, finance, academics, family, etc gets tough, that's the time for CLINGING. It's a time to ABIDE.
How do I mean?
Watch this illustration:
When a child is in pain (especially an emotional pain), s/he seeks the attention of his/her mother for relieve. That child runs to the mother expecting her to minister solution to that pain. S/he clings so tightly to her, cries on her arms and find comfort there.
That's the approach.
That's the proper defense against impending challenges of life when it hits hard.
In this context, I'm not talking of your biological parents or a human confidant (though they are very integral as regards to receiving emotional relieve, edification and maybe a physical shoulder to lean on).
I'm talking about the One who knows you more than your parents or any creation made of flesh and breath. I'm talking of our Creator. Our Saviour and Lord.
CLINGING to Him than ever is the right approach.
John 15 assures us of what we stand to benefit clinging to Him.
Jesus gave an illustration of Him in that passage of scripture as the vine and we the branches, and that fruits must surely produce so long the branch is attached to the vine.
But listen, for the fact the branch hasn't started yielding fruits doesn't mean that the branch won't bear at all and then, detach itself.
Your life hasn't produce the result yet all the while you've been in Christ and serving Him doesn't mean it will never happen. It may not just be the season yet or something is miraculously done in your inside (process). It may just be your time of pruning/making. Remember, there are times and seasons. (Ecclesiastics 3:1)
Or maybe you've experienced results before and then it vanished. It doesn't mean you won't get back on your feet. You just have to figure it out and do it right.
I solicit once more, cling and remain in the Vine (Christ).
There is what the vine can give you that no one else can. Not even connections, influence or affluence.
The vine never stops supplying nutrients into the branch. The nutrients extracted from the vine is what produces the result of fruit bearing, despite how long it may take for its manifestation. That's how it works.
Listen dear friend, your desired result or answer in whatever sphere of life may not yet be evident in the physical realm but assuredly, God is working out something.
Fortunately, He supplies all needed to go through the process until final destination.
It was God that kept the Israelites in the wilderness. To keep them warm in the cold dessert at night, He was a pillar of fire. To keep them cool in the scotching heat in the day, He was a pillar of cloud. When there was no food, He supplied manner. When they had nothing to drink, the rock produced water. All these and more He did just to sustain His people from seemingly hopeless situations.
So, don't think God doesn't care. He bringing you this far is a show of His faithfulness. He cares, one hundred percent. Just patiently cling to Him.
You may find it hard to continue, to seek God in prayers, to remain in His word or even go to church, just remain. I always tell myself, "even if I have to crawl to the glory that awaits, i will but relenting is never an option". Don't let desponding circumstances cut short your journey to your land of rest (a place of milk and honey).
Stop complaining and murmuring. Haven't you read Philippians 4:6,7 and Psalms 121:1-8? (Read it).
Anytime you feel like not going to church, that's the time to strive to be there even if you have to crawl your way there. If you cannot pray, mutter words and cry to God.
One mistake people make is that they don't go to church or even participate in any activity or commitment in church because of what they're going through.
If you're guilty of this, I want to ask you; haven't you read that whosoever faints in time of adversity, his strength is small? (Proverb 24:10)
And if your strength is small, you can't produce exploits in any area of life (Daniel 11:32b). You'll have small results and feats in life. To overcome anything in life, you have to be strong and show up strong whether you feel like it or not, whether it's convenient or not.
Keep showing up and pursuing even if it means forcing your way through. "We are more than conquerors" are for the strong and those in Christ. It doesn't necessarily have to be your own strength as a human but that of Christ. Our strength has a limit but Christ's doesn't. You can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens you.
You see why you need to remain with Christ (the vine).
When you do, you consistently sap strength from Him.
Don't do things only when you feel like it or have the fortitude to continue, if you do, then you aren't solid enough, you aren't rooted enough and you haven't built your faith strong enough to endure the test of trying times.
Be like the house Bible speaks of that the wind and storm fell on yet stood firm without falling. Root yourself deeply in Christ and His word. That's the only way to have a solid stamina and that's what keeps men of substance and great strength.
Men you admire their results today had their times too, but they stood, fought and conquered. Do the same to get the results you desire. Persist and you'll be celebrated both by God and men. Apostle Paul said, " I press toward the goal..." and He met the glory he never stopped pursuing.
My prayer is, we remain in the Vine (Christ) till He comes. Amen
It may be painful,
But you'll gain in full.
Don't complain,
Just remain.
Keep pressing,
You'll get there by His sufficient grace and mercy.
Abide in the vine,
Always sap strength from Him.
From the starting point, to the very last scene,
Never be put down, by the challenges in between.
Do this and you will win.
If you're not in Christ, you can't cope with the issues of life. Many kill themselves and die in hopelessness because they don't know Him.
Receive and know Him today
And it will be peace all the way.
Bow your head and say this prayer of salvation.
Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I receive you today as my Lord and Saviour. Forgive me of all my sins as I repent today. I receive Your Spirit and grace over my life.
Thank You Lord for saving me. In Jesus' Name.
Live your life continuously in Him and you'll enjoy peace.
God bless you.
Thank you for this piece
ReplyDeleteAll thanks to God. 🙌
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