How to Overcome Tough Times as a Christian

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 We were told in life that tough times don't last, only tough people do. Many of the teachings we have received only seemed to be easy said than done. We most of the time want to opt out when problems becomes more rugged than we anticipated. This is not because we don't want to win but because what seems greater than us is at hand. One time or the other we face such challenges that threaten our spiritual life well-being. Should we continue our should we opt out? Is often one big question we ask. Telling a good success story can only be done by someone that has gone through the pains it takes to be successful. It is not easy but you can do it. Read through my story, you may find help by God's grace.

For many years I have been teaching people how to be strong in the face of tough situations. I have delivered powerful sermons, and life touching speeches whenever the need arises. Written several articles on courage, determination and pressing forward in hard times and also read handful materials on the above topics and its related. Everyone respected me for my brilliant speeches and wisdom. Many benefited from it both spiritually and materially while others only admired. I felt I was unstoppable, that whatever I want to get in life I will get it no matter what as everything I have ever wanted was drawn to close to me as long as I keep asking.

But in a particular year still in the ministry, I got enrolled into a polytechnic, and was made the class representative (consulting all lecturers and disseminating all necessary information to students: that is heck of a task), my business crumbled, my house building project stopped without further notice. In the same year, I planned on marrying a wife but things that were happening did not give hope at all. Payment of bills and maintenance cost was gradually piling up. My ministry already getting bored with me suspended me from delivering sermons and other major activities as I was spiritually drowning in weakness. My first semester result was a disaster.

The ministry was calling my attention, family and responsibilities demanded my time, my failing business needed me more, my project, desires and ambition suffered neglect. In all these I never stopped praying, but ironically the more I pray the worst things turn out. Things continued like this until I totally ran out of strength, both spiritually and physically. In this agony came the question; “God, did you actually call me to be your servant?  Or I have been driven by my imaginations? Was I following what I heard people say? And so on”. The one time invisible, unstoppable, and unbeatable man has become vulnerable after all. “Shame to me!” I cried.

The concept of toughness is not defined by how tough we may look while addressing other people’s problems; neither is it visible in speech and outlook. It is only visible in our response to tough situations. To this end you need to know that toughness is not an action but a reaction. How you react to actions determine if you are tough or not. Actions are taken as long as we live but we only react when there is an action either for us or against us.

Let’s dive into my story again, the scripture tells us in Job 14:1 that: “Man born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble…” this confirms the hardship, suffering and disaster we experience one time or another. These problems make us human. In the face of all those sad events that were simultaneously falling against me, I realized one thing; I wasn’t dying because I wasn’t taking good actions, I was dying because my reactions have been negative.

How has my Reaction been Negative?

It is written in John 10:10 “That the thief came not but to steal, kill and to destroy…” I woke up one morning with this verse and mediated on what the devil is coming to steal from me and the spirit of God told me I had SALVATION and that the sermons I delivered did not keep my salvation but my refusal to let it go. That is what the Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy_ my eternal life! Paul in his sermon warns the church in Corinthian “Wherefore, let he that thinks he stands; let him take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

At first, I was sad and angry because I thought things were not turning the way I expected and secondly I nursed the belief that I was less a man of God. I later realized none of those notions were true. They were only put forward by Satan himself to make me lose my position as a true heir of God.

I made a conclusion of returning back to God as the story of Job came into my mind. One night when praying, I told the devil; “You can take everything that I have and all that is left, but I refuse to surrender my sonship to you. It belongs to Jesus Christ who died on the cross to save and to make me. I am not complete because of a wife, neither is it because of wealth or connections. I am complete because I have Jesus and my life is hidden and saved in Him. So take everything even more till I go naked, I will not surrender my salvation! You might have succeeded in deceiving me earlier but now I know the truth our business is over!” I said all of these with tears flowing from my eyes like I was a baby.

What happened next…?

I watched things remain as they were for couple of months. I prayed to God to have His way as I continued to work as best as I could. I fought against any thought that fought against the security of my eternal life. I focused on God’s words and promises. Today I am a happy man, not because everything has been restored back to place but because my place in Christ has been restored. I am patiently and diligently working and waiting until God’s plan for my life will come to manifestation. If this is the end of my success, so be it although I know tomorrow is better. Today I am glad that Jesus saved me, I am spiritually stable now than before. I will not submit to the devil_ this is what makes me tough.

Joseph the dreamer was not told he will suffer persecution from his brothers, seduction and eventually imprisonment. He was only shown the brighter side of his life to come. The other side of our dreams are always the dividing lines between our strengths and weaknesses as Christians. On whose side we choose to belong in the faces of difficulties mostly determine our end. We must choose between God and Satan who we will obey in this times of extraordinary trials. Remember all problems a Christian experience on earth is a trial of faith.
 
Your knowledge and all that you know cannot move you forward all by themselves. If you doubt it ask Peter why he sank into the water even before the Almighty Himself. I discovered only two things that can do it:
1.       Commitment to a firm resolution
2.       God
God will surely make way for you as choose Jesus as your primary source for victory.

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