By James Quansah
HAS THERE been a nation or person without any problems since creation? Can any country or person live a problem-free life on earth? The bare fact is that life in this world is a life of problems.
People deal with different challenges camouflaged differently at different times. Thus, it may be said that it is impossible to live in this world without encountering perplexing situations.
But many wonder whether Christian believers who are children of God filled with the Spirit and Word of God should also encounter problems? They consider it strange for a child of God to suffer many terrible things in the world.
But they forget that Jesus Christ said His disciples would have many troubles in the world (John 16:33). And the Psalmist also points out, “Many are the AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
The Psalmist was a worshipper of God, and he knew that people who God considers as righteous suffer many afflictions in life. However, God does not leave him alone; He delivers him from his troubles.
Who are the righteous people in today’s world? The Bible makes it clear that they are the Christian believers who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. They are those to whom Christ became sin and they God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
To these believers, God gives the assurance that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds (Isaiah 3:10).
As already explained, the righteous may face challenges, but their situation is different. Their problems are not permitted to destroy them but to build and prepare them for greater works and testimonies for the glory of God.
Right now, you may be faced with a life-threatening situation in your life, but you must take consolation in the fact that the situation will not kill you, but strengthen your desire for God.
Only live a life of faith in Christ Jesus. Live a life of prayer and fasting with meditation on the Word of God and it shall be well with you; you will be healed and restored! When afflictions hit, we Christians should not charge God with wrong. Rather, we must pray, trusting God for His deliverance.
God wants His worshippers to always see beyond the problems they face in life. The problems can be any distressing situation such as poverty, unemployment, miscarriage, barrenness, diseases, sicknesses, imprisonment, rejection, stagnation, setback or homelessness. God sees beyond these problems and gives the assurance to those who suffer them that it shall be well with them.
The Word of God spoken to believers years ago is a prophetic Word to believers today. So, I tell you that no matter the difficult situation in which you currently find yourself, it shall be well with you. God, your deliverer, healer and redeemer, will see you through. You will not die prematurely but live to the fullness of your age. The problem will not last forever; it will end soon.
It is high time Christians were taught to see challenges as the soil in which they must grow up spiritually, emotionally and deepen their relationship with God as they are drawn to fast and pray regularly.
James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.