Month: May 2021

God wants us to enjoy all the nice things of life.

Although Jesus had told His disciples He would rise after three days, Peter ignored that part and instead, focused on the suffering and death (Mark 8:31-38).

Peter probably wondered how “pain” and “gain” could ever match up. Possibly, what he thought was that Jesus would have a smooth ride to the top. Peter acted like most of us usually do. We like to think of life as easy and blissful, all the time.

No doubt, God wants us to enjoy the nice things of life. He also wants us to succeed in whatever we lay our hands to do. But He never promised that we would get all that we desire without hurdles.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Your pain will soon become your gain.

When Jesus told His disciples, He would suffer and “must be killed and after three days rise again”, they were deeply troubled.

Peter, in particular had rejected the prophecy. But Jesus said, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mark 8:31-38).

Truly, Peter didn’t know how God does His things. If he was aware, he wouldn’t have been so troubled. Instead, he would have focused on the resurrection; which was part of the prophecy. Notice that Jesus didn’t only teach about His death; He talked about His triumph over death. You see, for every pain that life brings our way, God turns it into a gain.

Focus on the good side.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

One time, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23-27). Obviously, Jesus wasn’t referring to a physical cross. Specifically, Jesus wanted us to know that we would have to go through pain, if we follow Him.

Though we are bound to experience some pain, Christ assures us that our suffering will not be in vain. But it is important for us to realize that the cross isn’t just any kind of trouble.

If your suffering is as a result of your selfish acts, then it isn’t a cross. Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Just as a lion can be cornered by hyenas, you too can be cornered.

As a kid, I was often intrigued by stories of lions. But as I grew up, I discovered that they don’t always win, even though they are powerful. Like lions, we are built to conquer. But life can still hit us with a crisis, capable of weakening us.

But when we are at our weakest point, our ability to bounce back will largely be determined by our relationship with God. The psalmist said, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34).  

No matter what you are going through; you can get back on your feet if you would only trust God.

Written by Ben Dankaka

If you are not persistent, crisis will make you quit.

No matter how talented you are; you are going to incur obstacles. No doubt, there will be times you wouldn’t feel like getting up from bed. And if you are not persistent, you will quit.

Being persistent is important because the little steps you take each day will eventually mount up and force its way, pulling you out of any crisis.

The apostle Paul knew this principle. In letter to Timothy, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the good faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Paul acknowledged the fact that his journey was a battle, but like a sportsperson, he was persistent.

Written by Ben Dankaka

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.

There was a time I was praying and it seemed like God had shut his door on me. Instead of moving ahead, I was stuck.

If you ever find yourself in a situation like that, wait quietly. Even if you think God has abandoned you, continue to wait. That was exactly what I did after I stumbled on the scripture that says, “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Read Lamentation 3:1-32). 

I was inspired by that verse because it captures the story of a people who were going through deep pain, yet were hopeful that God will redeem them.  Don’t grumble; wait on God.

Written by Ben Dankaka

God had great plans for Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. But he was a small Jewish boy who only knew how to run errands.  To prepare him, God had to let him go through crises until he got to the very place God had planned for him.

Just as we enroll in a school in order to prepare ourselves for opportunities, God also enrolls us in His school. In our schools, we pay money but in God’s school, the cost is patience.

In the same way that our skills were tested by our teachers, God also allows life to test our character, before He promotes us (Psalm 105:17; Genesis 45:7).

Written by Ben Dankaka

Too often, we expect people to support us when we launch a business. But if the business is in its infant stage, people may snub us because what you intend to do isn’t what people want to hear but what you’ve achieved.

When Saul was made king, some of his countrymen didn’t like him. But Saul didn’t try to win their hearts.

Later, Nahash, the Ammonite attacked the Israelites. Saul saw it as an opportunity and led a successful war against the Ammonites. And then, the same Israelites who once despised him reaffirmed his kingship (1 Samuel 11: 1-15;).  Wait until you’re tested!

Written by Ben Dankaka

Job was a man of great faith. When he was prosperous, he stayed faithful to God. When he lost everything, he remained faithful. And as Job held on, he couldn’t figure out why he was surrounded by tragedies. Unknown to Job, it was only a test.

Maybe you are also overwhelmed. As we’ve seen in the case of Job, even if you are determined to do God’s will, you will be tested.

Recall what Christ said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Crises are inevitable. But in Christ, we are overcomers (John 16:33).

Written by Ben Dankaka

We’ve been taught that leaders ought to exude light, because Christ Himself said we are the light of the world. While light is a symbol of good, darkness is perceived as a depiction of evil.

But in reality, darkness also plays an important role because we cannot experience light until we’ve been through the dark alley of life.

Before God created light in the Book of Genesis, He had to first of all, meet the darkness that hovered on the surface of the deep (Genesis 1:1-3). Isn’t it interesting that Jesus had to go through hell before He redeemed us?  Stay strong!

Written by Ben Dankaka