I wrote the UTME four times, passing each examination successfully, yet I still couldn't secure admission into any university in Nigeria. The disappointment weighed heavily on me, and I almost lost hope, believing that perhaps God was not ready to answer my prayers. There was a particular instance when I took the post-UTME at the former University of Ado-Ekiti. With the score I achieved, I was confident that admission was certain. However, to my dismay, it did not happen. The rejection was heartbreaking, and I felt like giving up completely. Yet, deep within me, a voice kept reminding me: "Olanrewaju, don’t give up on God—try one more time." Summoning every ounce of faith I had left, I decided to attempt it again. And this time, I finally gained admission into the university. This experience taught me a profound lesson: Never give up on God. Even when it seems like the answer is delayed, He is always working behind the scenes. Our responsibility is to trust Him, remain steadfast in faith, and believe that in His perfect timing, He will make all things beautiful.
Life is a journey filled with both triumphs and trials. There are moments of joy, but there are also seasons of hardship when nothing seems to make sense. Prayers seem unanswered, hope feels distant, and faith is tested. In these moments, the temptation to give up on God can feel overwhelming. However, the Bible reminds us that even in the darkest valleys, God is still present, still working, and still faithful. "We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.
Difficult times are not signs of God’s absence but opportunities for Him to show His power. Just as He was with Joseph in prison, with Job in his suffering, and with David in the wilderness, He is with you now. Though the road may be long and the trials fierce, the promise remains: God will never leave nor forsake His children (Deuteronomy 31:8).
God’s Promises Are Sure
One of the greatest reassurances in the Christian faith is that God never fails. Numbers 23:19 reminds us: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Even when circumstances seem hopeless, God’s promises remain unchanged. Abraham and Sarah waited decades for the promised child, yet God was faithful. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment before stepping into his destiny. Their stories prove that God’s delays are not denials—He works everything out in His perfect time.
Difficulties often serve as a refining process for believers. James 1:2-4 encourages us: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Faith that is never tested remains weak. But through trials, believers grow stronger, wiser, and more reliant on God. Like gold refined in fire, challenges purify and prepare individuals for greater things.
One of the hardest things to accept is that God is always at work—even when it seems like nothing is happening. In the book of Esther, God’s name is never mentioned, yet His hand is evident throughout the story. He orchestrated events to save the Israelites from destruction. In the same way, God is arranging situations behind the scenes, ensuring that His plans unfold at the right time.
Encouragement to Hold On: A Call to Trust in God’s Faithfulness
There are moments in life when everything seems to be falling apart—prayers feel like echoes in an empty room, and hope becomes a distant memory. It is in these moments of brokenness that the enemy whispers, “Give up.” But do not listen to that voice. Even when the storm rages and the night seems unending, God is still present, still working, and still faithful.
God Sees Your Pain – He Collects Every Tear
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book." – Psalm 56:8. God is not indifferent to your suffering. Every tear that falls from your eyes is precious to Him. He does not dismiss your cries or overlook your struggles. Like a loving Father, He holds you close, even when you cannot feel His embrace. Your pain is not meaningless—it is seen, it is known, and it will be redeemed. Just as He saw Hagar weeping in the wilderness (Genesis 16:13) and called her by name, God sees you. He knows the weight you carry, and He is moving on your behalf even when it seems like nothing is changing. The tears you cry today are not in vain—they are being gathered, and in due time, He will turn your mourning into joy.
You Are Not Alone – He Will Never Leave You
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." – Deuteronomy 31:8. Loneliness is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons. He wants you to believe that no one understands, that no one cares. But the truth is, even in your darkest hour, you are not alone. God is with you. He walks beside you in the valley, He stands with you in the fire, and He carries you when you have no strength left to walk. Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? They were thrown into the fiery furnace, but they were not alone—there was a fourth man in the fire with them (Daniel 3:25). That same God is with you now. No trial, no heartbreak, no betrayal can separate you from His presence. He has promised to never abandon you, and He is a God who keeps His word.
Your Breakthrough is Coming – Do Not Grow Weary
"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." – Galatians 6:9. Delay is not denial. The waiting season is painful, but it is not permanent. Sometimes, God allows us to go through long seasons of testing, not to break us, but to prepare us. Just as a seed remains hidden in the soil before it sprouts, so too does God’s plan for your life unfold in its perfect time. Joseph spent years in prison before he stepped into his destiny. David was anointed king long before he sat on the throne. Hannah wept for years before she held her son Samuel in her arms. If they had given up, they would have missed the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Your story is not over. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn for good. What seems like a delay is actually divine preparation. Trust in His timing. Keep pressing forward. The harvest is coming, and when it does, it will be more than you ever imagined.
Conclusion: A Call to Persevere
Life’s battles can be exhausting, and faith can sometimes feel like a flickering flame in the wind. But even in those moments of weakness, God is still faithful. He holds your future in His hands, and His plans for you are good (Jeremiah 29:11). So do not give up. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep holding on. Because the God who called you is faithful, and He will finish what He started (Philippians 1:6).
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