Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children...No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however,
it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been
trained by it (Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV).
The Bible says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is
perfect toward him...” (2 Chronicles 16:9). That means He’s watching
and looking for opportunities to manifest His glory on your behalf. He
never leaves you alone. He never lets you down. He’s moved with the
feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews
4:15). He knows when you go through pain, and seeks to get you out of every predicament.
Every human need is God’s opportunity to bless. He wants to meet every
human need. Actually, He’s already done that in Christ Jesus, but some
are yet to fully understand and accept what He’s done. When you have a
problem, when you face difficult situations that seem insurmountable,
it’s an opportunity for you to experience a miracle. God never turns His
back on you; His desire is for you to have a testimony from that
challenge.
With this understanding, when you face tests, trials, and persecutions,
when the storms and pressures of life billow against you, just know that
your testimony is at hand. Many get overwhelmed by the challenges they
face, not realizing that every challenging situation is a testimony in
the making. The Word says, “Count it all joy when you go through diverse
tests” (James 1:2).
1 John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome
them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
world.” The greater One lives in you; therefore, the challenges you face
are bread for you. It makes no difference if it’s a health challenge,
financial challenge, or challenges with your work; refuse to faint;
rather, be strong in faith, giving glory to God. See the situation as
your opportunity to demonstrate the power of God!
PRAYER
Gracious and loving Father, indeed your faithfulness and love are
without end. Thank you for your strength in my inner man. Challenges are
bread for me, because I’m full of the might and ability of the Spirit,
who leads me in perpetual victory parade. Thank you for making me
eternally triumphant, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. ||
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not
destroyed;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 3:1-21,
2 Samuel 22.
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Corinthians 4:11-21,
Proverbs 2.
