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