Sailing through challenging times

In any case, we must not allow ourselves to be daunted by difficult times. No man or woman ever became successful through defeats in the hands of the life challenges

Granted that today’s world is full of complex and multi-dimensional challenges, no other time in Nigeria’s socio-economic history has man been faced with tough and more austere problems of varying degrees than now. Insecurity, poverty, inflation, and joblessness appear to be the most challenging issues confronting Nigerians today. As the largest economy on the African continent, most Nigerians do not deserve the experience they are passing through at the moment. Human resource, which remains the most valuable asset especially in far east countries has rather been turned into a curse in Nigeria; owing largely to bad governance occasioned over the years by inept leadership.

In any case, we must not allow ourselves to be daunted by difficult times. No man or woman ever became successful through defeats in the hands of the life challenges. Hope, faith in Allah (S WT) and the ability to stand against the unpleasant odds of life guides a man or woman success in life. At times, not everything that make us unhappy in life are self-inflicted. They could sometimes be natural. Whether natural or artificial, problems should not lead us into depression. Failures or disappointments should not become sources of our despondency on earth. Problems, no matter their nature, must not be allowed to become “roadblocks” on our path to success. They should rather be gateways to prosperity. Sir Humphrey Davy once said, “the most important of my discoveries have been suggested to me by my failures”. Problems, therefore, are sometimes necessary ingredients of life.

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Although problems at times may be painful, they could sometimes be a source of inspiration. You cannot be an achiever without being a problem solver. People who are always afraid of facing problems or solving them are likely to dwell in them; leaving unnecessary mental burdens on their minds. One sure way of overcoming problems is to have self confidence that is powered by hope. Hopelessness begets and entails failure. With a mind full of hopes, success shall look for you and meet you wherever you are.

Allah (S WT) mentions in Qur’an 2:228 that “On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear…” Allah (SWT) bequeath an individual with problems because He (SWT) knows the individual can overcome them. It could be a loss of job, failure in business, bankruptcy, poverty, failed marriage arising from irresponsibility of a husband or a wife, loss of property (to thieves or fire), or losing in an elections or contest. Next to every bad luck is a gateway to many good lucks. When troubled, a believer does not say, “why has Allah (S WT) done this to me?” Instead, he is advised to pray to Allah to give him the wisdom and the ability to triumph over the problems that may be at hand. Qur’an 94:5 assures that after every difficulty comes a relief. In such a circumstance, a believer is advised to say, “from Allah we came and to Him is our return.”

Problems are not gate-closers. They are rather gate-openers. They bring out the potentials in you. Problems challenge your reason, your logic, your abilities and your skills. Problems should not make us take drugs or do anything that is inimical to our physical or mental health. Drugs are not solutions to any problems. They only create more problems particularly when they become a source of addiction. Therefore, let us avoid drugs so that we do not compound our problems. With problems, we are better equipped with skills (mental and physical) to face greater challenges of life. Problems are never permanent in themselves. However, our own attitude could make a problem appear that way.

It’s not a problem to have a problem. A problem only becomes one when you refuse to push open the “door to alternatives”. Nupe people would say, “if you cannot advance forward, you should be able to retreat.” You do not have problems because Allah (SWT) hates you. The difficulties you are facing are not because you are poor. rich, tall, short, black, yellow, fat, slim, a man or a woman. It is neither because you are an African nor a Nigerian that you find yourself battling with one problem or the other. Therefore, do not assume you are the only one with the greatest problem on earth. When you have the privilege to listen to others, you are likely to discover that those things you considered the biggest of problems are no more than mere attachments to the burdens of life carried by others.

Life on earth is never the same for two individuals. Everyone experiences life according to the plans designed by destiny. Life on earth is not to be without ups and downs. So, a life of endless delight is not to be the experience of anyone on earth. Whenever we are visited by a moment of displeasure, let us comfort ourselves by remembering our previous moments of excitement and then give gratitude to Allah (SWT), our creator. Let us hold on to our faith and defend it against the treacherous plots of the devil. In this manner, Allah (SWT) would open the “alternative door” as long as we rely upon and confide in Him during moments of hardship, distress or when the going gets tough. This “alternative door’ is, nonetheless, only there for those who sincerely believe in Allah (SWT) and who do not think that salvation lies in the hands of a fellow being such as a soothsayer. Those who believe in this path shall never find the “alternative door.”

Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 65:3 and 4 “… and for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out; And He provides for him from sources he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trusts in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.” Let us as believers learn to be patient in all matters. It is always time for Allah (SWT) to solve our problems. He knows best when to dispose of our challenges. After all, problems could, sometimes, be blessings in disguise. So, do not be angry because you find yourself in a pool of problems. Allah (S WT) knows best about it and how best to get you out of it. May Allah (SWT) guide us to peacefully sail through challenging times and also ease our path to happiness, success and prosperity, amin.