“We are hard pressed on
every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” 2
Corinthians 4:8-9.
There is no career, marriage or pursuit
that is free from challenges. The fact that God led you into your present
assignment does not exempt you from challenges of life. But not all obstacles
are bad. Challenges are those obstacles you will meet on the road to whatever
achievement you desire. Being a Christian does not remove you from the
world and its problems; rather it equips you to live in it productively and victoriously; John 16:33.
Growth and success do not eliminate
obstacles; they create new ones. Everything depends on you, because God is
always working on everyone and walking with us. According to Thomas Carlisle, ‘The block of granite which was an obstacle
in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the
strong.’
Challenges bring promotion, it provides an
opportunity to grow though it can temporarily detour you. Challenges reveal
what we truly believe and who we really are. Challenges could make one doubt
the presence or existence of God just as Job’s wife suggested to him. But you
have the choice and power to decide on whose side you stand. Obstacles can
temporarily detour, but they are not strong enough to stop you.
Fanny Jane Crosby, a legendary hymn writer lost her sight when she was just six weeks old as a result of a doctor’s error in
treating her illness. In her state of blindness she wrote more than 8,000 inspiring hymns, one of which is ‘Blessed
Assurance’. No
matter how cloudy it is when the plane takes off; above the clouds, the sun
always shines. Always call back to mind those promises of God for you in
moments like this. Do not just
look at God through your circumstances; look at your circumstances through God. Remember, if you can just face the
music, with God on your side, some day you will lead the band. It is well!
Prophetic prayers
Holy Spirit, influence my
perspective and attitude to challenges of life.
Give me courage oh Lord, to
face life’s challenges.
Challenges of life shall never
cripple me. Let it bring out the best in me.
No challenge of life shall be
able to separate me from the love of Christ in Jesus’ name.
