Overcoming Challenges: The Biblical Principles

By Juliana Ogunjemilua

Be Bold, Confident, confront your fears and knock out the challenge!
Life is a gift from God. We all have to be ready to face challenges as we pursue our purpose in life. A challenge sets you up for promotion, if and only if you dont lose hope, quit and give up.
In this book, Juliana encourages anyone that might be facing a challenging situation that may seem difficult and hopeless right now to be steadfast, have faith and believe that they will overcome. The life of a human being is all about problem solving. Use the power of positivity, optimism and a winners mindset to knock out any obstacle that may be standing in your way of achieving your goal. The obstacle is afraid of you; therefore dont run away from it, you have overcome it already. Simply keep moving forward!
Take steps today allowing God to hold your hand as you read and practice the nuggets in this book. Go and overcome them all. God bless you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543425987

Juliana Ogunjemilua

Juliana is a graduate of Microbiology and Quality Assurance Professional. She is a seasoned Technical Manager with over 20 years of management experience in Food Manufacturing. She has worked as a Quality Manager, Food Engineer and Process Improvement Manager. She is also an Author, Coach, prolific speaker and an Entrepreneur. She is currently the Managing Director of Spotclean Ltd, UK. Juliana resides in Essex, United Kingdom with her children Michael, Tolu, Ibukun and Tobi.

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Copyright © 2017 by Juliana Ogunjemilua.

ISBN:                        Softcover                        978-1-5434-2599-4

                                  eBook                             978-1-5434-2598-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Rev. date: 08/14/2017

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Prologue

Author’s Introduction

Chapter 1     Live A Lifestyle Of Faith

Chapter 2     Wisdom Protects

Chapter 3     Be At Peace

Chapter 4     Be Positive, Be Optimistic

Chapter 5     Turn A Challenge To Actionable Bits

Chapter 6     Share Your Concerns

Chapter 7     The Power of Forgiveness

Chapter 8     Become A Problem Solver

Chapter 9     Enjoy Life

Chapter 10   Strength From Within

Chapter 11   The Power of Prayer

Chapter 12   Take Control of Your Mind

Chapter 13   Surrender All To God - Allow God To Rule Your Affairs

Chapter 13   Love Yourself and Others

Chapter 14   Helping Others

Chapter 15   Congratulations, It’s A New You!

References

Dedication

This Book is Dedicated to my darling brother Michael Ariyo whose memory lives on in our hearts forever.

Acknowledgement

First and foremost, I thank God Almighty for the grace to write this book, ‘Overcoming Challenges…. The Biblical Principles’ through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

I am eternally grateful to my children, Michael, Tolu, Ibukun and Tobi for their unconditional love; giving me hope to carry on during good and tough times. My love for you all is like water in the ocean that can never ever run dry. God bless and protect you always in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

I am grateful to all the Pastors and members of our family church, notably Pastor Anthony and Pastor Sally M Ashaye of The Kings Family Centre; where God has planted us for many years. You have been an instrument of goodness and inspiration; feeding me with undiluted Word of God which has shaped me and helped my ministry of helping and counselling people facing challenges wherever I go. Also, Pastor Sally for taking time out to read the whole manuscript just before publishing and writing the ‘Foreword’. May the Lord God bless you for your labour of love. Amen.

I acknowledge my mentor for this project, Mr Charles O Soyoye who is also an Author. You have helped me to keep the vision alive as you tirelessly monitored my progress. Thank you for reading the first draft and then always motivating me all through the writing of this book to ensure that this project gets published to bless others. May the Lord bless you and your family in Jesus name. Amen.

Thank you to Mrs Kumbi Soleye whom I first shared my vision with and has encouraged me since then.

I acknowledge inspirational messages by Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, Nigeria and Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas. I hereby say a big God bless you and thank you for always making me laugh and Inspired, knowing that there’s always wisdom and hope to guide us through every season of life.

I also acknowledge Joseph Emiola, Yomi Aluko and Pastor Gbenga Lawal for their on going help and support at all times.

And thank you to all Spotclean Ltd team members for all their services and support.

Finally, BIG thank you to my readers all over the world for picking up and reading ‘Overcoming Challenges……The Biblical Principles’. May it inspire and enable you to discover God’s divine purpose for your life in Jesus Name.

May the Almighty God bless you all. Amen.

Shalom!

Juliana Ogunjemilua

Foreword

After reading this book and meditating on it, the phrase thriving and not surviving comes to mind. God has promised us abundant life; which is not just for after the storm and the seas; even in the depth of our pain and distress.

Overcoming Challenges book gives every Christian a road map on how to overcome challenges and be a winner always.

Life is a gift from God and it is to be enjoyed and not endured. Optimism in God lifts one’s spirits and helps one to think and achieve beyond one’s perceived natural ability.

This book is a MUST- READ for every believer brewing on the tea of their impossibilities.

I have known the author for over 11years and I have seen her go through and come out of challenges victorious. This book is not just written from head knowledge but from living the life of a believer and using all the biblical principles available to overcome.

Her life has been a testimony throughout, her attitude during the challenges was exemplary…. little did I know that God was preparing her for this awesome work. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit direct and teach you.

Every chapter is packed full of Holy Spirit inspired solutions. It was almost impossible to put the book down until I finished.

Mrs Juliana Ogunjemilua I celebrate your courage and tenacity in putting this compelling work together.

As a Pastor, I have over the years had to deal with many challenging circumstances, but this book just articulates and brings together a collection of biblical principles. This is broken down and very reader friendly that if armed with a copy one will doubtless live a victorious life.

• The phrase from the book that says Problems do not have a fixed address, if you refuse to tolerate them, you will always overcome them really jumped out at me.

• This book not only talks about overcoming your own challenges but Chapter 14 speaks about your relationship with other people as this plays a major role in living a fulfilling, successful and victorious life. This in turn helps one to live a life of significance and encourages one to see beyond one’s personal needs and seek to help others.

My earnest prayer is that every person that reads this book will not only Overcome their Challenges but a new you will emerge at the end.

Sally Mojisola Ashaye

Associate Pastor

Kings Family Centre Aveley Essex

Prologue

Nowadays, we surely are presently in the perilous times such as news of many deaths, wars, disaster and the like fly around very frequently. Everyone lives with a deep sense of uncertainty and insecurity. No one knows what the next second holds.

One of the reasons Overcoming Challenges book is written is to let you know that in the midst of this darkness and confusion, one fact stands sure; Our Redeemer liveth, and no matter how tough or dark things may be, no matter your challenges or struggle, God loves you and I, and still watches over us. For the Bible says Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19 KJV).

One thing you need to understand as a Christian is that if the situation of things over the ages has not changed, then the love of Jesus Christ for you and I, should not change too. We are to stand firm on His Word, doctrine and promises.

May I encourage you to constantly stand on the Word of God and rebuke the world of its wrong doing and consistently tell them of God’s great love for them. Truth be told, everyone will pass through one form of challenge or another in their life time that will test their faith in the power of God. I am here to remind you that there is a greater power that is greater than any other power on earth, under the earth or in heaven. That power is the power of God.

The power of God is greater than any situation or circumstances that may be challenging you. For the Bible says, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:19-21 NKJV).

Overcoming Challenges book is designed to equip and encourage you as a Christian going through any form of challenges or setback whether physical or spiritual in your journey of life. When you read this book and apply the nuggets in the book from the Word of God and prayer, I believe that victory is yours in Jesus name.

Moreover, this book covers a wide range of God’s promises for your life no matter what your challenges may be, along with the relevant biblical principles and practices. It is also designed to be used for general perusal by every Christian simply wishing to stand on the promises of the Word of God for their life.

It is my sincere hope that Overcoming Challenges book will greatly assist every Christian everywhere having the opportunity to read this book become an overcomer in their challenges of life and stand firm on the Word of God.

By His Grace and Mercy, You and I shall finish well and finish strong in Jesus name. Amen.

Shalom!

Charles O. Soyoye – Author of Marriage A Miracle of Completion, The Truth Regarding Being Born Again and Marital Secrets for a Successful Marriage.

Author’s Introduction

Biblical principles for overcoming challenges in the life of a Christian have proven to be the main channel for peaceful living in our journey of life. Comfort, yes, comfort My people! says your God. Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her. That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2 NKJV).

During a challenging time in life, it is important to have the consciousness that you are not alone and that God is in it with you. Jesus said Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:1 NKJV). Jesus encouraged us not to allow our heart to be troubled, we just need to believe in God and in Him knowing for certain that we will definitely overcome. Also, the promise of God as revealed by Prophet Isaiah saying "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy one of Israel, your Saviour" (Isaiah 43:2-3a NKJV).

This testifies to the fact that God has created man with the understanding that challenges are needed to be overcome for man to reach his ultimate life pursuit and the Almighty has made it clear that He will be with him while going through those tough times.

I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this book in order to help men and women in all walks of life to be able to see challenges as God’s orchestrated way of moving them to the next level of glory towards the purpose for which God has created them. I encourage you to be strong and courageous as you walk with God in pursuit of your goals and aspirations towards your destiny in life because there will be many oceans to cross and many giants to overcome to reach the promised land designed for you by the Almighty God.

Remember, when Joshua was chosen by God after the death of Moses to lead the children of Israel to the land of promise. He made it clear to Joshua that he needed courage and strength to be able to succeed, even though God had promised that He will be with him as he was with Moses.

God said to Joshua "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go" (Joshua 1:5-7 NKJV).

Therefore the real work here for Joshua to succeed was to always remember the promise of God to him as he embarked on the mission and also to keep the law of Moses. Obedience to these was enough guarantee for his success as far as God was concerned. If for any reason he encountered an obstacle along the way and failed to stand on the promise, then, he would have been unable to deliver God’s mission.

Life as we know is not a bed of roses, but in the midst of the challenging encounters in life there is always a calm place which makes us to heave a sigh of relief and thank God for the life that we have and enjoy. Pastor Sally of The Kings Family Centre, said during a prayer conference recently that ‘In times of affliction, character is built’. Your strength is tested during challenging times to see if you can indeed handle the next level. The Bible says ‘’If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small’’ (Proverb 24:10 ESV)

Whenever there is a hurricane, there is always a peaceful place called the eye of the storm. With the heavy storm travelling at extremely high speed and clearing all in its path, yet there is always the eye of the storm that is calm and anything in that place is safe. Despite the concerns of man, we are covered by the unshaken protection of God the creator of the universe. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We only need to always stand on His promises by faith.

Also, when the ocean rages and the waves are drowning all the things in their path, but deep down below the water there is calmness with no turbulence at all. Ocean creatures are calmly moving around without any concerns about the waves and turbulence at the surface. Their peace can only be distorted if and only if they leave the deep to the surface, then there will not be anything to stop them from being washed to the shore where they might face extreme danger.

Likewise in life, challenges may be raging and troubles all around but in the midst of that there is always a place of calmness, when you find it you will see yourself moving forward and refusing to allow the challenging situation affect your physical and mental well being. This is not the time to blame yourself or anyone, instead, it’s the time to seek the face of the Lord to lead you to that peaceful place.

That peaceful place is the presence of God Almighty. Praise God! David wrote in the book of Psalms saying From the end of the earth, I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2 NKJV). The Almighty God always hears the cry of whoever calls on Him and He will lead and protect His own.

The leading of the Lord is everything. For you to be visible in the eyes of God, you must always dwell in His presence so that when He speaks, you will hear His instruction clearly.

Always remember the promise of God as revealed to Prophet Isaiah saying Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:9 NKJV). This is awesome! Praise God! Our God is on the throne and watching over us. He neither sleeps nor slumbers, He will always ensure that you overcome any challenge that may come your way as you advance towards your destiny in Jesus name.

There are a number of real life experiences shared in this book that will inspire and develop you as you apply them to any situation you intend to change for the better using biblical principles and courageously standing on the promises of God.

Life’s challenges or what some people prefer to call issues of life are to be seen as not as overwhelming as many of us see them or approach them. Trying to resolve these issues by personal strength or logical reasoning most times leads to more problems in the form of frustration, stress, and even in some cases life threatening repercussions. The Word of God holds the key to providing solutions and standing on the Word guarantees that you will overcome, because God is your refuge and the Man of war who fights for you. The truth is that as long as God Almighty can never be defeated, you can never be defeated in Jesus name. Hallelujah! The Bible says:

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High, God is in the