NIGERIA: THRIVING IN TOUGH AND CHALLENGING TIMES

- Written by Gavin Aleogho

 
I was somewhere some days back where some people were discussing the state of our nation. The discussion unveiled the fact that crime rate has increased, especially the crime of stealing. Some parents are pushing their daughters into prostitution in the bid to survive; others are encouraging their sons to go into fraud.
 
The high cost of foodstuffs and hunger in the land are doing a lot more harm to our society, than anyone can imagine. The high cost of common foodstuffs like rice, beans, and garri is frightening. Do we talk about the cost of cooking gas and other basic amenities? Sadly, there is no indication that the economy will be stable soonest. Money is failing right before our eyes. Huge amounts of our naira have very little purchasing power.
 
I left that scene with great sadness in my heart, more than what I have ever felt since the inception of the new phase of hardship in the land. I felt a deep grief in my spirit. This grief was coupled with fear and mixed feelings. My heart literally came under attack.
 
The thought of how my relatives, brethren, friends, and family members are faring in this season, took hold of me. As a Pastor of a local Church that has a list of some widows and less privilege that we reach out to once in a while, you can understand my feelings.
 
My thoughts and feelings made me forget that we are living in an unstable world that is destined to fail and get more difficult. For the scripture says, “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear].”
2 Timothy 3:1 AMP.
 
When I took the burden to the secret place, then the Holy Spirit whispered the following words into my spirit, "NOW (in Nigeria) the JUST must live by faith. Applying the Word and believing God for miraculous supply."
 
I remember that one of the references to that statement is found in the book of Hebrews that reads, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Hebrews 10:38-39.
 
Based on what the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, I can deduce four important points.
 
4 KEYS TO THRIVE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
 
1. Have faith in God
 
This is not a time to lose faith in God. This is not a time to be unserious in your walk with the Lord. Rather, this is a time to believe in God like never before, for incredible miracles and supernatural supply. For it is from God, all blessings flow; even in challenging times.
 
God is still releasing His blessings.
God is still lifting people.
God is still raising men
God is still helping families
And the Lord will definitely help you this season, in Jesus name.
 
2. Apply the Word
 
At such a time as this, there is this tendency for people to start breaking God’s law and the principles of the kingdom of God in their bid to survive. In the book of 2 Kings 6:24-30, women began to eat up their own children because of the hardship in the land.
 
Beloved, this is not a time to break God's law or cut corners in the bit to make ends meet. It is not a time to start stealing, cheating, lying, becoming stingy, or oppressing others. Such evil practices will make you forfeit the help of God.
 
One thing I have discovered is that God's word always works. The principles of the kingdom always produce results in whatever season you find yourself in.
 
The principle of giving always works. The principles of living a holy and righteous life always work. So is the kingdom principle of honour, love, labour, truthfulness, honesty, integrity, and mercy, as well as the principle of seeking first the kingdom.
 
These principles of the Kingdom always work, even in times of economic hardship.
  
3. Be sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit
 
Yielding to the dealings and leadings of the Holy Spirit at any given time will always give you an advantage in life. For every leading of God is for your advantage, profit, glorification, and exaltation.
 
The scripture recorded in Genesis chapter 26, that there was famine in the land and Isaac intended to “Japa” (run away) to Egypt, for Egypt was the happening nation then. But God instructed Isaac to stay back in Gerar. The story has it that Isaac yielded to God’s leading, and he greatly prospered in that same land of Gerar.
 
What is God leading you to do?
 
Is He leading you to change your business?
Is He leading you to change location?
Is He leading you to give?
Is He leading you to leave your job and start your own business?
Is He leading you to leave what you are doing to do His work?
 
Know this:
God will never lead you to shame.
God will never lead you to suffer loss.
God will never lead you to failure.
Every of God’s leadings is a setup for your lifting.
 
4. Keep doing the right thing
 
After God told Isaac to stay in the land of Gerar, Isaac got himself engaged in productive labour; doing the right thing. For the Bible says that:
 
“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.”
Genesis 26:12-14
 
You can see that before Isaac received a great harvest and became great, He sowed in that same land. If you really believe in God, you will keep doing what is right. You will keep putting your best to your endeavour while you trust God, the Rewarder (not your employer, client or man) to reward you awesomely.
 
In summary, to thrive in this tough and challenging time:
 
Don’t stop sowing.
Don't stop giving.
Don't stop helping the poor.
Don't stop sharing.
Don't stop showing mercy.
Don't stop seeking first the kingdom of God.
Don't stop yielding to the leading of God's Spirit.
Don't stop praying
Don’t stop developing yourself.
Don't stop giving value.
Don't stop putting your best to your endeavour.
Don't stop believing God for an incredible supernatural supply.
 
This is the way to stay on top and ride on your high places despite the challenging time in this season.
 
I pray for you, you shall not sink this season. Rather, just like Isaac prospered in the midst of famine, I pray that you shall rise and experience an increase in all ramifications, in Jesus name.