WHY DO WE HAVE CHALLENGES??
- ojogwujustinaewele
- Aug 19
- 15 min read
Today, I want to discuss why we face challenges, especially from a Christian perspective. Many believers, in their distress, ask why they encounter difficulties despite their faith. They wonder, "As a child of God, a believer in miracles, and a devoted Christian, why do I still face challenges? Shouldn't my faith and dedication exempt me from them?" Even pastors, who tirelessly serve and support their congregations, question why they experience significant struggles. I want to share some insights into life's mysteries that expose us all to challenges, regardless of our spiritual connection.
First, understand that the presence of challenges doesn't mean God is absent. Challenges in your life don't indicate that God isn't with you. If you've ever doubted God's presence because of your struggles, I'm here to change that narrative. You can have God in your life, and still face adversity. This doesn't mean God isn't there. It's essential to grasp this so that no one misleads you into thinking there's a way to avoid challenges as a Christian. The only place without challenges is the grave, and we can't truly know what happens there.
The Lord has revealed to me that this message will transform your understanding of God's ways. By the end of this teaching, those of you losing hope will find your perspective renewed. Are you with me?
Please open your Bible to Psalm 34, specifically verse 19. We'll focus on just verse 19 due to time constraints. Psalm 34:19 states, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Notice, it mentions the afflictions of the righteous, not sinners or backsliders. Who are the righteous? Those whom Jesus has redeemed, those in Christ Jesus, those connected with Christ. The scripture emphasizes that the righteous face many afflictions, yet the Lord rescues them from all. Not just some, but all challenges. This shows that challenges are not against Christians; rather, they serve a purpose because God will deliver us. If you're worried about unpaid rent, remember, you have a home while some live under bridges. You're not superior to others; in fact, others might be better than you. So, facing housing issues doesn't mean Jesus has abandoned you. Remember, the righteous face many afflictions.
Now, let's look at 2 Timothy 4:18. It reads, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory forever and ever."
The challenge you're experiencing has a day of deliverance. When that day arrives, the end comes. The Bible assures us that every affliction has an end. Anything that begins will eventually conclude. Whether you realize it or not, some problems will resolve themselves. Your life is engaged in both visible and invisible battles. The Bible states that every beginning has an end. Whether you pray or fast, your problem's expiration date will arrive, and it will disappear as if it never existed. Notice, you're not facing the same issues as last year. Some events occurred beyond your control, yet they worked in your favor. Child of God, may you not forsake God because of challenges, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Let's examine this. I want you to grasp the enigma of facing challenges. I refer to it as a mystery because, from a human perspective, it doesn't seem logical. Can we agree on this? However, in spirituality, knowledge is a mystery because no one achieves greatness without overcoming obstacles. There would be no powerful David without Goliath. Israel wouldn't have been preserved without Pharaoh. Moses wouldn't have been mighty without the challenge of "let my people go." The secret behind every challenge is a mystery, and let me surprise you: there are problems you've faced in life, and once they were over, you thanked God for the experience. You realized who your true enemies and friends were because challenges reveal people's true nature. Is this topic better suited for Sunday? I'm feeling pressed for time. This is a question people have asked Kambuambu and continue to ask today. We need to foster understanding among people.
First, why do we encounter challenges? They are evidence of human existence, a sign that you are here on earth. The challenges you face serve as living proof, as the Bible mentions that from birth to death, your life is recorded, and this record reflects how you lived. Your existence is defined by the challenges you overcome and those that overcome you. God uses these experiences to determine your path, as they are proof of life. Challenges are not unique to one person; they affect everything on earth, including animals. Have you ever seen an animal you feed that still injures itself? As long as you are on earth, challenges confirm your existence. It's not something to pray against, but I will show you how to overcome them. Praying against challenges is not the right approach. Is there proof that God notices someone like Justina struggling? It shows she's still there. That's why wise King Solomon said, "Vanity upon vanity." You sleep, cry, wake, and act. He understood that the good, the bad, and every season in a person's life are not signs of failure but evidence of life and existence. If you ask someone who knew you growing up about you, they will recount your actions. Whether you were rebellious or peaceful, there will be a story. Even our mothers tell tales of how we troubled them before birth. You made history even before arriving. Why let the devil use challenges to intimidate you? God knows you are righteous and permits these challenges. Look at Job, who faced additional affliction when the hedge was removed. Stop lamenting your challenges; they are part of the account you'll give at life's end. God will ask you about your journey, just as He asked Satan about his. You will recount your betrayals, failures, and struggles. Before Elijah was taken, he wanted to die because of Jezebel. God told him He had many prophets unknown to Elijah. Nothing surprises God about your life. When He allows challenges, He knows you have the strength to overcome them. Complaining and murmuring are ungodly, akin to witchcraft. True Christians are not meant to complain. Look at the Bible; no murmurer was allowed to live. God can tolerate sin but not murmuring. He invites sinners to be cleansed, but murmurers were left to die in the wilderness. This attitude robs Christians of blessings because you are not a timid creature but a lion of the tribe of Judah. God expects you to face challenges with knowledge and courage, not fear. He has given you a spirit of faith and boldness, not fear. There is something within you that you're not utilizing. You are not under attack just because the devil knows your name. Your challenges are part of existence, proof that you were here.
Number two, why do we have to go through challenges, it is battle between good and evil. It is the battle that man discover by itself. In the creation of God, that is the transaction between human and God. He did not put the challenge Men assess the challenge. That's why it is the righteousness of Christ according to God with you as creation in the time of Genesis. God removed all the challenges and put every difficulty, everything that we inconvenience you and I in Genesis, he put them into the knowledge of good and evil. and protected us out of it and told us if you don't want this kind of life don't go there but if you like it is our you can visit he gave man a sound warning not to trigger the knowledge of good and evil because knowing and eating the knowledge of Good and evil means you must toil, you must toil, you must work, you must labor, you must feed yourself. The provision of the father is in the garden of Edom. That's why today for you to enjoy Edom experience on earth you must live in the supernatural because it's only in the supernatural you can assess God himself who dwells among men. But as long as you are not in the supernatural, you will toil all night and not even have any fish because you expose your knowledge to good and evil. So you are now under contention. You want to prove to evil that you are good. Evil want to prove to you, ha, you don't know me. I've been here since before good arrived. So we are the custodian of this place. So there is a continuous contention to prove who is bigger. Do you know that was what Satan did to Job? Who else can I use than him? Imagine Job was not in the meeting that God himself had with Job. But Job did not ignore to remind God that the reason why Job is who he is is because of the supernatural you have put on him. You have made him strange. You have made him different from others. You have put an edge.
The hedge that protected the Garden of Eden also safeguarded it. Job experienced such abundance during his lifetime. But then, what happened? The devil challenged God, saying, "Take away those blessings, and let me intervene." Do you grasp this revelation? The devil requested God to remove His benevolent presence, which was all he needed. Once God's presence was withdrawn, the devil entered Job's life. With the devil's arrival came unavoidable challenges. He created turmoil where none existed before. Job's children were celebrating, as they had done many times, unaware of the devil's presence. It's no surprise that Job questioned, "Where have I sinned?" He understood that in the spiritual realm, evil is not allowed. He realized that the afflictions he and his family faced were due to a foreign presence, which could only be the devil. So, Job began making atonements for his children, recognizing that abundance and blessings belong to the supernatural, not the earthly realm. He sensed a shift in his household, which is why he remained confident even as he lost everything. He remembered the divine presence that had once restored him and declared, "I will wait in my affliction, for I know the supernatural will resolve these challenges." Soon enough, God returned to Job, restoring everything he had lost. The devil departed, and restoration ensued. Imagine if Job had 11 children; he might have ended up with 21 or 22. He could have become a community leader. His wife, who survived, must have been incredibly resilient. Let me tell you, child of God, you are still lamenting your problems because you haven't grasped this mystery. The Bible says that wealth doesn't come from the east, west, north, or south, but from God, who grants the power to create wealth. That's why I'm confident. When I was new in Kenya and faced disdain, I knew they didn't understand who I truly was. Child of God, as a Christian, if someone mocks you, remember your place in the divine. Who can oppose God's will? Remember Joseph, a prisoner, who was elevated by the supernatural God. You are a vessel in God's hands, beyond earthly understanding. It doesn't matter what your family thinks; God's power transcends all. This message might have been intended for a different time, but perhaps it's meant for a greater purpose.
Listen to this. Evil may exist, but so does good. This is why you shouldn't fear challenges. On my journey to Kenya, as I headed to the airport, I was robbed. God had sent me on this mission while my husband was in Mauritius waiting for me and our three children. The same airport taxi I took from a certain junction to reach the airport was involved. I can't say whether they gave me something to make me sleep or forget, but they definitely did something. I don't blame them. The powers from my foundation knew I might be Nigerian, but my calling wasn't from Nigeria. My purpose wasn't rooted in Nigeria. There was a mission ahead of me, and just as I was about to embark on it, the devil tried to thwart me. Imagine, my baby was less than a year old, and they gently left me. Only later did I realize that my money, the exact amount I can't recall, was gone, along with three passports for my children and my own passport. Everything vanished, including three phones. I stood on the road in daylight, which turned to darkness. I placed my hand on my head and said, "God, I thought you told me to go and not be afraid. I thought you said you were with me. Even when I hesitated, you reassured me. Now, where are you? Who took my money and credentials?" I didn't know if they were green, yellow, male, or female. I only knew I had entered somewhere. The rest was a blur, and I began to cry. Everyone at the park witnessed my distress. After crying and weeping, I wiped my eyes and went to the mountain to pray. On the first day, I prayed until I felt uplifted. I prayed while reading the book of Hagin, John Kenneth Hagin. I read and prayed until I was exhausted, unable to nurse my baby due to lack of strength. On the second day, we felt lost, with no plane crash but no arrival. On the third day, I decided to retrieve my phone to see if any messages had come through. We sold our property for 10.8 million to buy tickets and pursue our mission, even though we weren't sure what it entailed. He said, "I'm with you. I will guide you." If we had known, we would have gone to Kenya first, then to Mauritius, and used the funds wisely. Are you with me, child of God? In the midst of evil, God is present. As I was there, the Lord instructed me to go to Abuja to replace the missing passport. Normally, it takes one to two months to replace a stolen passport due to formalities. I asked how, and He said, "Go, I'm with you." He reminded me that I had been advised against a certain action, but I did it anyway. So, I needed a new passport. We traveled to Abuja, and God showed us favor. A man returning from America carried my baby from Lagos to Abuja, providing me comfort. I was thrilled. When we arrived, he didn't leave us. He had booked a hotel, and if there was no room available for us, he was willing to give up his room. I wondered who this man was. He took us to the hotel, and fortunately, we both got rooms. Early the next morning, he helped us get an Uber to immigration.
Consider the good in the midst of everything. Typically, parking is designated to specific areas. Only the bus has private parking, but on that day, visitors were allowed to use public parking. The person in charge, the second in command, had traveled abroad and returned the previous night. He decided to disguise himself to check on his team, ensuring they were working properly in his absence. To avoid recognition, he parked in the public area instead of his usual spot. As our Uber was leaving, my two young children, aged three or four and five or six, ran out, almost getting hit. He stopped them and commented on how beautiful they were, asking for their mother. I introduced myself, explaining we were traveling after being robbed three days prior, losing everything. My husband was waiting for us, unaware of our situation. He asked if I had reported the incident, and I admitted I didn't know how. Immediately, he called one of his key people to meet us, pretending to meet me but actually meeting his boss. The boss had already taken a liking to my son, David, and instructed his subordinate to prioritize us. We were given special treatment, sitting where the president would for passport renewal. In times of challenge, don't rely solely on your mind; trust that a higher power will intervene. That very day, our passports were processed, and we were taken to a hotel. The next day, we traveled back to Lagos and then to Mauritius. Despite losing everything, including my phone and money, divine provision came through. My sister mistakenly sent money to my account, which covered our expenses. We paid only minimal fees for our passports, and I discreetly tipped the helpful staff member. What seemed like adversity turned into a testament of faith, proving I wasn't alone on this journey. Whatever challenges you face, remember that with faith, you can overcome them. Your testimony will be powerful, and when God intervenes, even your neighbors will be astonished. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's men perished in the fire meant for others, divine intervention will turn evil intentions into blessings. The challenges aren't about you; they're about God's power. Despite past miscarriages and medical diagnoses, I held onto faith, believing in the promise of life. Now, I'm blessed with children, and we're focused on family planning. Trust in divine timing and intervention.
After the first one, I managed the second for four years. I didn't choose to return there; God brought me back forcefully. I knelt and prayed, "God, this is enough." In a covenant act, I wrote four names and asked, "Cancel one. Cancel one. Cancel one." It was a challenge at that point. But now, 13, 14, 15 years later, here I am, searching for a gynecologist. Is there anything you can do without waiting? Is there anything you can do? We're even praying for menopause to arrive quickly to help resolve this issue. Never lose faith. Your God is on the way. Your God is coming. Your God is alive. You can't back down now. You are prepared to persevere. You can't give up on yourself. Since you didn't die as an infant or a young child, you're still here. Ah, you can't give up. It's not a matter of opinion or suggestion. It's not up for debate. How can the death of Jesus be in vain? How can Jesus die for nothing? Tell the foundational powers, "It's already too late. I can't go back. I can't return. Jesus must be Lord in this matter. Jesus must be Lord in this matter. Jesus must be Lord in this matter. Jesus must be Lord." Please sit down. Jesus.
Number three. Why do we face challenges? You are on earth for a purpose. You continue to engage because you are sent. Many Christians haven't accepted this, but you didn't come to play around. There is no mediocrity in Christianity. You are sent to solve a problem. When Samsung created this phone, it had a purpose. Similarly, when God sent you, perhaps He saw your father's house. Among all He has sent, no one had the courage to break barriers, to confront challenges. He sees you as a person of valor, a mighty warrior, a unique daughter, a royal priesthood with a mission. You are here with a purpose. So when I wake, you are that apostle who will end untimely death in your family. You are that woman who will change the narrative. You are the one who will say enough is enough. If you don't want something, don't tolerate it. If you desire a church, you are here for that reason. Hey. Hey. It doesn't matter how many children Jacob had. Jacob married both younger and older. Yet it was only one son who was destined to change the story. Only Joseph. Only Joseph. Ah. Only Joseph. Only Joseph was the game changer. He was the one with the message. So everything may come against you. But amidst the storm, you are still overcoming. That's why some of you don't understand why your parents oppose you. It's because you are the deliverer of the home. Yes. They can't comprehend it. They say you are strange. You must be strange to carry the extraordinary God within. You can't be normal. There is no normality with God. Please sit down for a moment, sit down first. Can I tell you this? There is no normality with God. How can you say God is normal? Christians, I want to be normal. What is normal in God? Sodom and Gomorrah were misbehaving. He sent an angel to destroy it. You don't know. He said go to Sodom, do like this. What is normal in God? Our God is not a normal God. He told Moses to walk through the Red Sea. Who does that? Was there a bridge? Even if they were to build a bridge, how long would it take to dry before they could cross? And the normal God you speak of told a man to use a rod. How can a rod part the sea? He said take it, take the rod. Oh yeah. He didn't even say construct it. He said stretch. Can water be parted by a rod? Ask yourself, can water part by a rod? Yet the water divided the sea. What is normal about God? There is nothing. He sent His only son to die while He watched. So what problem are you facing that is bigger than His own son? Jesus cried and said oh Lord why have you forsaken me? He put an earpiece on His ear and said Jesus die quickly. You are the reason we are waiting. If you die now everything will change. And Jesus realized that this one my Father will not hear. So He said it is finished. Until Jesus completed the task, the change did not come. Stop waiting on anyone. Everything is waiting for you. Everything. My eldest brother is a pastor. My direct immediate elder is a pastor. But my calling is different. Our roles are not the same. Ah don't be jealous. It's not the same. The same God can pour it but not the same action. Eh there are pastors who are still jumpstarting Jesus. We don't jumpstart. We appear and He appears. I belong to that tribe. See, you can call us witches in the spiritual bloodline I come from. You can call us witches. But you cannot take evidence from us. You know, you can say we are witches. We understand. Why wouldn't you say we are witches? Have you seen the supernatural before? It is the prophet that brought it into the game. Ah we are the custodians and I belong to that tribe. I am not ashamed. I am not ashamed. If your pastor says he does not like power, we say your pastor will fall. What are you telling me? We are on that side. We don't preach the gospel. We demonstrate the gospel. Whether you are a woman, if the anointing falls upon you, it makes you a soldier. We don't preach it. We live by it. We live by it. We live by it, mama. We don't preach it. We live by it. Take it. He said, "For such a time like this, you are born." For such a time like this. It's not in your appearance. It's in the anointing. Lift up your right hand wherever you are. Make a declaration. Say I will not be useless. Ah you can't be in this service and you will not make it. Say I cannot be useless. I refuse to be worthless. Say, I'm a game changer. I'm a game changer. That's it. We don't just talk about Jesus. Jesus. What is that? What is that? We don't even need a fare to go to your father's house. We just go there. We just go there. You act up, we go there. We even eat food if you want. We disrupt the tradition of your family and we write destiny because we are sent. You are not just what you are sent. You are an assignment and nothing shall stop you because the God that saved you is the God that starts. You are not a mistake. You are not my When God was calling me, I told him, "My dear, I'm a businesswoman. I like money." Yeah. I don't follow God in poverty. There is nothing poor in Jesus. His clothes they were dragging it. Eh, his clothes. So if you are a Christian who wants to believe in poverty, I'm not there. Watch out. Hey. Ah. Ah.
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