Challenges are an inseparable part of life. In fact, life itself is a challenge. The beginning of every new day comes with new challenges. As humans, when a new day breaks. We begin to think about what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, and how to go about achieving our plans for the day. That in itself is a challenge. The article examines the challenging moments.
The focus of our study is on the challenges we encounter as we journey through this divide of eternity. We want to consider what our reactions, as Christians, are to life’s challenges.
What are the Challenges of Life?
Challenges are the unpleasant and undesirable experiences we encounter in life. In the journey of life, challenges often come as a call to participate in a competition through which it would be decided who is superior in terms of ability or strength. It is an avenue to showcase one’s inner strength. It could be further explained as a call to prove something justifiably.
As Christians, when challenges come, we seek to prove or justify the faith we profess. Jesus’ reply to the disciple: “You of little faith, why are you afraid?” (Matthew 26) affirms that the challenges of life happen to test our faith.
In counselling, there are two major types of crises: they are developmental and accidental crises. Challenges of life can also be developmental or accidental. Human beings generally hate having unpleasant experiences, either developmental or accidental.
A fact of life that we must face is that challenges are constant. Until you experience your own, you may not know the reality or gravity of having challenges. Nevertheless, we must note that Christians have been equipped on how to avoid or respond if challenges eventually come.
Different Types of Challenges
There are different types of challenges. These challenges sometimes come naturally as we go through life; at other times, they are self-inflicted. Self-inflicted challenges are those that come as a result of some actions we take or the kind of lifestyle we choose.
However, when they come, the grace of God is what can make us overcome. Some of these challenges include:
- The challenges of being unable to conceive or have babies
- Academic challenge/challenge of advancement
- Marital challenge/parenting challenge
- Career challenge/professional challenge
- Family challenge
- Economic challenge
- Social challenge
- Financial challenge
- Health challenge
Allow class members to add other challenges of life that are not included in the list above.
Are Christians Immune to Challenges?
No one desires or prepares intentionally for challenges. Whether it comes naturally or is self-inflicted, we would all prefer not to have challenges at all. But the question is, can a woman avoid the pains associated with getting pregnant and giving birth to a baby?
Being a Christian does not exempt one from facing challenges of life, but being a Christian gives us a better understanding and changes our responses from one of dejection to one of hope.
At times, Christians are utterly shaken by challenges that they even forget that they have the strength to cope with and even overcome these challenges. Jesus’ disciples had such an experience as they sailed together with their Master in a boat. The raging storm stirred fear in them – the fear of drowning in the lake.
The Bible says, the disciples went and woke Him (Jesus), saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown! (Matthew 8:25). This showed how deep the fear was. Fear comes because the person facing the challenges does not know what the outcome of the experience will be.
For instance, a pregnant woman may be afraid of labour pains, losing the baby and a few other challenges that might come with childbirth. A student may be afraid of a forthcoming examination if the subject is a difficult one.
Being a Christian does not immunise a person from these experiences; it only gives one the ability to handle these challenges maturely.
How Should a Believer Handle a Challenging Moment?
Our ability to cope with life’s challenges varies from one person to another. While some handle challenges maturely as they seek to get out of them, some become weighed down and devastated to the point that they cannot even think clearly about how to overcome them.
But we all need to learn to cope with challenges even as we look for ways to get out as soon as possible.
As believers, we are to face challenging moments with courage and positivity; we are to look at it as a moment of examination, a time for promotion to a higher level. Moreover, we are to look unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, and the one who alone can deliver us from all struggles and troubles of life.
The disciples, in verse 25 of the passage we read, called upon Jesus to come to their aid. Therefore, as Christians, we are to call upon Jesus when we are in any form of distress. After having called on God, we should allow Him to act (Matthew 26).
We can also seek the right counsel from people who we feel can proffer a solution that would eradicate and not add to the challenge. In all, we must give room for God to prevail in our challenges rather than rationalise.
Turn all your life challenges to God now, and you will have testimony of breakthroughs in Jesus’ name.
Conclusion
Challenges are inevitable situations that God allows to make us stronger and get firmly rooted in Him. Gocanto grant us victory over all challenging situations, provided we trust in Him and invite Him into such challenges.
In our challenging moments, we must not lose the consciousness of the love of God, which does not change even when situations change. We should put our minds at rest as we trust that He will never let us down. Hcanto deliver us; we only need to trust and obey. Read the similar post on this page.
30 Prevailing Prayers to Confront Challenging Moments
Prayers against the challenges of being unable to conceive or have babies
1. Father, every challenge of child barrenness and childlessness is terminated today in the name of Jesus.
2. Abba Father, I am made to reproduce on earth, any evil power that is hindering fulfilment in my life is cancelled by the power of God in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus Christ, from today, I will get pregnant and bear glorious children that will serve in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
4. God, from today, I receive my glorious children, healthy children, wonderful children and children that will be the heritage of God in the powerful name of God.
Prayers against academic challenge/challenge of advancement
5. Jesus, thank you for giving me grace to learn and acquire knowledge that will beautify my life in the name of Jesus.
6. Lord Jesus, I pray against every evil affecting my brain to assimilate according to your word in the special name of Jesus Christ.
7. Lord Jesus, the present challenge that hinders me from advancing and moving forward in my academics, vanish from today in the name of Jesus Christ.
8. My Jesus, make my life a glorious one academically and advance my life to a better one in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.
Prayers against marital challenge/parenting challenge
9. God, I thank you for making me beautiful for your glory. You promised that I should be alone, and I must have a partner. Glory be to God!
10. Abba Father, I pray against any covenant and evil power covering my face to see my life partner, whom you have promised me from today in the name of Jesus Christ.
11. Almighty God, every covenant husband/wife from the darkness chasing away my promised or real life partner shall be no more from today in the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayers against career challenge/professional challenge
12. I thank God for my career and profession; thank you for your power and grace given to me. Let your name be glorified.
13. Lord, I pray against all my things manifesting to block my career and professional success today in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
14. My God, I prophesy to myself that I will be a success and my profession and career will thrive from today in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.
Prayers against Family challenge
15. Thank you for the family you provided for me, God. Thank you for the fulfilment. To You only be the glory!
16. The Redeemer, I present my family challenges (Name them) to you because I believe that with all issues will be solved in the mighty name of Jesus.
17. Lord, erase all evil marks affecting all my family members from now on in the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayers against economic challenge
18. God, I thank You for my business and how You have been providing for me and my family members. All to You only.
19. Lord Jesus, visit the economic slump and decline of my family and boost it in multiple folds in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
20. God, any areas the devil and agents are tampering with my economic success, destroy the areas and make them successful for me in the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayers against social challenge
21. Abba Father, I pray against darkness that chokes me at a point, which does not allow me to enjoy the fullness of God in the name of Jesus Christ.
22. Lord, cancel the challenge that is hindering me from enjoying the glorious success of God in my life and the lives of my family members in the mighty name of Jesus.
23. God, shut up the challenge that is suspending the days of my joy from today in the special name of Jesus.
Prayers against financial challenge
24. Lord, I thank You for Your financial blessings and resources. I give glory to God for Mightiness in my life. Your name only be glorified in the name of Jesus.
25. Lord Jesus, I cancel the manifestation of poverty affecting my life in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
26. Almighty God, every affliction of lack and poverty, lose your power on me and my family members from today in the name of Jesus Christ.
27. My Jesus, make me rich and wealthy so that I can help the people around me as you have promised in the name of Jesus.
Prayer against a health challenge
28. Jesus, I thank You for the good health given to me and my family members. All glory to God Almighty.
29. My God, I stop any health challenges in any form affecting my life and destiny in the name of Jesus Christ.
30. Jesus, heal me from any chronic disease pervading the world these days in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
