Dealing with life’s challenges 14

 “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:1-3  KJV

Some challenges come so that God's glory may be revealed through your life. What looks like a problem today is the platform God uses to show His power and give you a testimony tomorrow. When the disciples saw the man who was born blind, they wanted to know who had sinned. But Jesus answered that neither the man nor his parents had sinned, “but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” His blindness became the opportunity for a divine encounter, and through his healing, God was glorified.

In the same way, Saul went out looking for his father’s lost asses, not knowing that God was leading him to Samuel for his anointing as king (1 Samuel 9:3, 15-16). What looked like a loss became the pathway to destiny. God had already told Samuel that Saul was coming, but Saul did not know that his search was divinely arranged. Beloved, do not conclude too quickly about your present challenge. Some delays, losses, and difficulties may be instruments in the hand of God to move you into purpose. As a child of God, all things are working together for your good (Romans 8:28). Turn to God, trust Him, and allow Him to glorify Himself in your life.

Prophetic Word: I declare that God will glorify Himself in your situation in Jesus’ name. What looks like a challenge shall become a testimony. Every loss shall lead you into divine purpose. The works of God shall be made manifest in your life. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Oh God, glorify Yourself in my life. Let every challenge before me work together for my good. I recover all. Turn my pain into purpose, and my trial into testimony. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dealing with life’s challenges 13

 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6 KJV

Some life challenges come because of the condition of the nation or environment where you live. When a country is politically unstable, economically troubled, or socially distressed, the people living there often experience extra burdens. In Samaria, there was a severe famine because the city was besieged, and the situation became so terrible that there was no food (2 Kings 6). This shows that the condition of a land can affect the lives of its inhabitants. That is why God commands us to pray for the peace of the place where we live. When there is peace in the land, prosperity becomes easier. When there is stability, people can work, build, trade, study, worship, and fulfil their purpose without unnecessary hardship. As believers, we must not only complain about our country; we must pray for her, speak peace over her, and do what is right.

However, it is also important to follow God’s direction concerning where you should live. Your location can affect your allocation. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath because He had commanded a widow there to sustain him (1 Kings 17:9). God also told Isaac not to go down into Egypt, but to dwell in the land He would show him, and there He promised to bless him (Genesis 26:2–3). This means that a place may look difficult physically, yet carry God’s provision spiritually. Therefore, do not make decisions only by what you see. The Bible says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Do not run away from a country, city, job, or assignment simply because things look hard. Ask God for direction. If God has planted you there, He can protect you, provide for you, and prosper you there.

Prophetic Word: I declare that the peace of God shall rest upon the land where you live. The Lord will guide your steps and plant you in the place of your divine allocation. You will not miss your appointed place of blessing. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: My Father and my God, let this country, [mention the country where you live], enjoy Your peace, mercy, and prosperity. Guide me in all my ways and plant me where my destiny will flourish. Let no national crisis swallow my purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dealing with life’s challenges 12

 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 KJV

Some life challenges are created by foolish actions, careless decisions, and unguarded words. Foolish actions bring weariness, while foolish talk creates an unnecessary atmosphere of pain, offence, and conflict. Many battles people face are not caused directly by the devil, but by words spoken without wisdom and actions taken without divine counsel. The most foolish thing anyone can do is to reject God’s love in Christ Jesus and resist God’s will for their life. Rejecting Christ leads to eternal destruction, while rejecting God’s will opens the door to unnecessary struggles. The Scripture says, “The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city” (Ecclesiastes 10:15). When a person lacks wisdom, even simple journeys become difficult.

Saul lost a glorious destiny because he acted foolishly and disobeyed God’s command. Samuel said to him, “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God” (1 Samuel 13:13). Nabal also brought trouble upon himself through foolish speech and behaviour toward David’s servants. If not for Abigail’s wisdom, his entire household would have been destroyed (1 Samuel 25:25). Folly invites trouble, but wisdom preserves life. The antidote to folly is right knowledge, godly understanding, and obedient application. Therefore, choose your words carefully, seek divine wisdom, and act according to God’s will. May folly be far from you in Jesus’ name.

Prophetic Word: I declare that the spirit of foolishness shall not rule over your life. God will fill your heart with wisdom, order your steps, and guide your tongue. Every problem caused by ignorance, carelessness, or wrong decisions shall be corrected by divine wisdom. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: My Father and my God, give me wisdom to deal wisely in all affairs of life. Help me to speak with grace, act with understanding, and obey Your will at all times. Deliver me from foolish decisions and careless words. Let wisdom preserve my destiny. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dealing with life’s challenges 11

 “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” 1 Samuel 18:8-9 KJV

Some challenges arise because you are growing. New levels often attract new battles, greater responsibilities, and stronger opposition. Isaac faced resistance in Gerar because God blessed him, and he became mightier than the people around him. Abimelech said unto Isaac, “Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we” (Genesis 26:16). In the same way, Saul became angry with David because David’s exploits were being acknowledged. The songs of the women revealed David’s rising influence, and from that day, Saul saw him as a threat.

Do not assume that everyone will rejoice over your progress. Some people are uncomfortable when God begins to lift you. However, you must not allow jealousy, opposition, or intimidation to distract you from your assignment. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7). Therefore, focus on pleasing God, walking in obedience, and doing His will. Also, learn to deal with the enemy within, which is the flesh, and the enemy without, which is the devil and his human instruments. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4–6). As you grow, remain humble, prayerful, obedient, and spiritually alert.

Prophetic Word: I declare that every enemy threatened by your growth shall be subdued before you. No Saul assigned against your destiny shall prevail. As you increase, God will defend you, preserve you, and bring you into greater favour. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Oh God, help me to grow in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with men. Give me grace to remain humble, obedient, and focused despite opposition. Subdue every adversary before me and let my life continue to please You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dealing with life’s challenges 10

 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15 KJV

No life’s challenge can withstand the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Praise becomes a sacrifice when it is offered in the midst of pain, pressure, uncertainty, and battle. It is easy to praise God when everything is working well, but when you praise Him while still waiting for answers, you show that your faith is stronger than your situation. Paul and Silas were beaten and locked in prison, yet at midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, the prison doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed (Acts 16:25–26). Their praise invited divine intervention. In the same way, when Judah praised God in the face of battle, the Lord fought for them and gave them victory without struggle (2 Chronicles 20). Praise shifts the battle from your hands into God’s hands.

Thanksgiving is also an altar of deliverance. The Psalmist said, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:14–15). Jonah also declared that he would sacrifice unto God with the voice of thanksgiving, even from the belly of the fish, and God brought him out (Jonah 2:8–10). Therefore, no matter what you are facing, do not complain. Open your mouth in praise. Build an altar of thanksgiving, and let God take over your battles.

Prophetic Word: I declare that your praise shall open prison doors and your thanksgiving shall bring divine intervention. Every battle before you shall turn into a testimony. As you praise God, He will fight for you, deliver you, and bring you into victory. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: My Father and my God, give me the grace to praise You in every situation. Help me to offer thanksgiving even in the midst of challenges. As I lift my voice in praise, arise on my behalf, take over my battles, and turn my situation into a testimony. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dealing with life’s challenges 9

 “Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” Genesis 37:20 KJV

Some life challenges come because of the vision God has placed in your heart. Joseph’s brothers did not hate him only because of who he was; they hated him because of what he carried. They said, “We shall see what will become of his dreams.” This shows that some battles are attacks against your divine assignment, your destiny, and the future God has revealed concerning your life.

When God gives you a vision, opposition may arise. The enemy may try to discourage you, delay you, or make you doubt what God has spoken. But the good news is that no enemy can destroy what God has ordained. If God is for you, no power can successfully stand against you (Romans 8:31). Joseph was sold into Egypt, but God was with him, delivered him from his afflictions, gave him favour and wisdom, and lifted him to become a ruler in Egypt (Acts 7:9–10). What was meant to bury his dream became the road to his fulfilment. Therefore, do not abandon the vision God has given you. Paul said, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Even when people opposed him, plotted against him, and sought his life, God preserved him. It is better to remain in the will of God with challenges than to live outside His will in false comfort. Your glory is hidden in your obedience to the vision.

Prophetic Word: I declare that the vision God has given you shall not die. Every opposition against your divine assignment shall become a stepping stone to your glorious destination. You will not be disobedient to the heavenly vision. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: My Father and my God, strengthen me to pursue the vision You have given me. Let no opposition, delay, or discouragement stop me from fulfilling Your purpose for my life. Cause my vision to speak and bring me into my glorious destination. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dealing with life’s challenges 8

 “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.” Exodus 2:23 KJV

Some challenges are tied to time, process, training, and divine preparation. They do not last forever. Just as a pregnant woman carries a child for a season and later enters into joy and celebration, some challenges expire when their appointed time is completed. What looks painful today may be part of a process that will produce glory tomorrow. God told Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in another land and would be afflicted for four hundred years, but afterward they would come out with great substance (Genesis 15:13–14). This means that even when challenges are permitted for a season, God already knows the end from the beginning. The affliction of Israel was not permanent. It had an expiry date.

There are challenges you cannot simply pray away because they are connected to growth, discipline, learning, and maturity. A student cannot enter university and receive a degree on the same day. There must be a process. The process may be difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes dark, but if you remain faithful, the light will surely come. In such seasons, you need grace, patience, wisdom, and endurance. God said, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10). The furnace may be hot, but it is not meant to destroy you. It is meant to refine you, strengthen you, and prepare you for what God has ahead. Therefore, do not give up in the process. Your challenge has an end, and your testimony will come.

Prophetic Word: I declare that every challenge appointed for your training and preparation will not destroy you. You will receive grace to endure, wisdom to learn, and strength to overcome. Your season of pain will end in joy and celebration. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer: My Father and my God, give me grace, wisdom, and strength to overcome my present challenges. Help me to understand the process and not give up before my testimony comes. Let every season of difficulty end in victory and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.