“So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20 ESV

Christianity is meaningless without hope. The very foundation of our faith is built on the sure hope that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back for His Church.

This is the difference between the Christian faith and other religions of the world.

The only reason the Martyrs and other Heroes of faith endured such painful deaths at the hands of their oppressors was the fire of hope, in the world to come, that burned in their hearts.

The momentary suffering they endured as they bled to their death, could not in any way compare to the joy ahead. Life is full of challenges and problems.

The terrain upon which our human existence is crafted and built is full of ups and downs.

According to Ann Landers, “expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comforting words of all; this, too, shall pass.”

The fact that one is born again, full of the Spirit and has the ability to speak in all manner of tongues does not mean that one will not face the storms and vicissitudes of life.

Nobody in the world, rich or poor, highly or lowly placed, strong or weak, spiritual or otherwise, has any form of immunity against difficulties.

It is not the size of the problems but our response to them that determines whether we are strong or just a mere reed tossed about by the wind.

As Solomon rightly observed in his writing, “if you fail under pressure your strength is too small.” Proverbs 24:10 NLT

The strength he referred to in this verse is not the human physiological, familial or financial strength.

There are many physically strong, well-connected, and financially endowed men and women who have been pummelled, embarrassed or have their lives abruptly cut short by the hopelessness of their struggle.

I have also seen tiny-muscled men and women of God move huge mountains of impossibility without straining or breaking an arm. What is the difference between these two?

How can one overcome the issues of life without the shedding of blood? This is the question I seek to answer in the coming edition of this article by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that as you read and meditate on the truth shared herein, hope will rise in your heart, and you will develop inner strength required to overcome every difficulty you face today. Shalom!

Nobody in the world, rich or poor, highly or lowly placed, strong or weak, spiritual or otherwise, has any form of immunity against difficulties.