Hello Guys,
It is no longer news that
times have become quite toxic. What we probably want to know is how do we
‘detox’ it?
These
crisis surfaces in every facet of our existence.
Job insecurity, financial
marital insecurity (as more women seem to be earning more than their husbands)
not to talk of the abysmal collapse of security in our erstwhile safe
neighborhoods. Clearly every thing is broken down!
At such a time as this is
there any hope for us men to come out of these depressing situations?
Graciously, we have hope! I have discovered we can all learn a thing or two
from a guy who went through worse things and survived it all. Job's
Perseverance and what the Lord finally did in his life after all his travails
(in Business, Family, Health, Associations and Relationships, Social standing,
etc. This list goes on and on) were over.
By act of divine mercy, God
brought back to him all that he lost.
Here is how scriptures
recorded it:
James 5:10-11,NIV
“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
As you know, we consider
blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and
have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion
and mercy.”
One thing that is
commendable in all of Job’s travails was his commitment to God’s faithfulness
and his patience through it all.
Now here are some
interesting and encouraging thoughts from God’s Word that could help any man in
any form of life’s troubles as Job’s.
#1. Be Courageous (1
Cor.16:13, NIV)
“Be on your guard; stand
firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong”.
#2. Develop fervent
personal and family prayer life(1 Peter 4:7,NIV)
“…The end of all things is
near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
#3. Develop yourself to be
spiritually alert so you can resist the devil. (1 Peter 5:8-10, NIV)
“Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm
in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are
undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
#4. Endure suffering.No man
can truly walk steadfast unless he had first suffered just a little (1 Peter
5:10,NIV)
“And the God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little
while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Only
after we have suffered for Christ should we expect to be restored, made strong,
made firm and steadfast. This suffering comes mainly as a result of having
taken a resolute stand against any form of unrighteousness.
Finally, I wish to remind
you that as He said, God will restore your losses and all the years that the
locusts have eaten shall surely come back to you in yet better forms.
By the Spirit of God, I
declare this day that God is restoring all your lost fortunes in Jesus’ matchless
Name!