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Ways God Provides Financially; Taiwo’s Amazing Story of Divine Providence

by Amaka | Jan 3, 2020 | Career, Finances

How God divinely provided during my studies

In the fall of 2016, I left Nigeria to take on a Master’s degree in International Relations at a University in Norway. I was excited and looked forward to a splendid life far different from the one I left behind. As days turned into weeks and weeks to months, however, my dreams of a colorful and brighter future were fast becoming bleak. There I was, alone in a strange land. I had no job, relatives, or friends; getting my daily meals was a toil. The thoughts of the fat debt I incurred for my travel — collecting interest by the minute— consumed me. Every step I took seemed like I was walking against the wind. Things needed to change and quickly.

Taste and See

No one told me life was going to be this hard. In despair, one day, I asked, is the bible really true? Is there any truth to its claims? Can I count on Psalm 34:8, Which says to taste and see that the Lord is good? “I need a change so badly, and I will do whatever it takes; I will make studying the bible and praying a priority daily, ” I told myself. Not long after I embarked on this adventure, I started noticing something. I noticed a change in my thought process. I was becoming aware of my thoughts and the thoughts of God about me and others. Like someone who had just learned a new language, I could now tell when God instructed me. The daily words and thoughts I heard from God helped me turn my countless worries about groceries, bills, and my debts to Him. Moreso, the more I spent time in prayers, the less I felt the need to worry. But that’s not all.

Obedience, a Test of Faith in God

The Lord brought my attention to the few teenagers at the church during my second year of studies. Sensing that the teenagers weren’t catered for, I felt the Lord wanted me to speak to my pastor about it. I hesitated at first, but when I couldn’t resist the Lord’s prompting anymore, I expressed my concerns to my pastor, who welcomed the idea. However, my pastor replied that there was no one to take on the responsibility, so he asked if I would take on the task.

Starting this group was challenging, to say the least. We had only two teenagers show up at the onset, and it didn’t make sense to organize meetings just for the two of them. I continued regardless— in the rain, sun, or snowy because I realized it was the Lord’s desire.

At about this same time, the Lord instructed me to start a weekly prayer meeting at the church. The pastor also embraced this idea, but only a handful of people were open to this, so very few attended. On many occasions, I was the only one present at the meetings —this made absolutely no sense to me— however, I knew I should not stop just yet.

I tried all in my power to be present at all the meetings —I took Fridays off to give more time to both the teenagers’ fellowship and the prayer meetings. Meanwhile, many uncertainties were piling up in my life. Here I was, approaching the end of my studies, yet I had no clue what my next steps would be. But wait, there’s more.

Read how God helped Amaka through a difficult season of life

More Weights Stacked Up

The months that would follow were stacked with even more trials. My visa expires in a few months, yet as I applied for jobs, all I received was dead quietness. I also explored all possible options by applying for Ph.D. studies in several countries. About four months to the expiration of my visa, I got an offer to do my Ph.D. in Scotland. Yeah!!! I was stunned by this offer as I didn’t feel qualified for it. Though elated by the news, somewhere inside me, I didn’t feel it was the right step for me at this point —One more request for clarity added to my many requests. But which way, Lord?

At my Wits End

Anyways, I kept on applying for jobs, but by May 2019, I became distraught by the negative replies or, should I say, the dead silence from the companies. I was at my wit’s end or so I thought, until the Lord asked me to quit my job at McDonald’s. “Quit my job, Lord. Is this you speaking?” I convinced myself I was making this up. Though this job wouldn’t renew my visa, it sufficiently settled my bills. “But I have no other source of support, Lord,” I thought. No, I did not obey, at least not that fast. My reluctance to obey came with a cost. I became sick and had such excruciating back pain from the job that I had to quit.

Now, with more time left to spare, I spent my days praying, meditating, and applying for professional jobs. I had time for church meetings — but still no job.

My Groceries were Paid for

Surprisingly, I saw astounding miracles during this time without a job. I recall one cool afternoon; I stopped by the grocery store to get some biscuits. Just as I headed out of the store, an elderly man I’d met walked up to me. He said: “The Lord asked me to pay for your groceries,” I stood there bemused. Not sure if I should cry in shock or laugh in excitement. “I don’t have much left at my house”, I thought to myself in amazement. I was quite embarrassed by his outlandish offer and almost shied away from the offer. Thankfully, he persisted. I returned home that day with a big bag full of groceries. It got to the point that my Landlord wouldn’t even ask for his monthly bills. What was happening?

My Debts Paid

Moreso, the Lord miraculously cleared my debts. I got a report a certain week from the Norwegian Tax Office that my annual tax for the previous year was short of 12000 Kr ( $1700). “What a time to owe the government!” I bemoaned. feeling downcast and forlorn. “This is too much for me to bear,” I whined. And again, I prayed to God, and He showed me what to do. His instructions were simple:

1. Write down all your debts on a list (amounting to Norwegian krone 17,000Kr – a little over $2,800 Can dollar )

2. Thank me for providing.

I did just that! I tell you, my friends, before the end of that week, the Lord instructed someone to send me exactly 17,000kr. Incredible? Exactly, I was dumbfounded! I then looked back and realized that though I wasn’t working, God sufficiently met all my needs. The Lord needed me to focus on Him, serving him and others. But now, if only all my problems would disappear.

Job Search Continues

Not at all; my quest for a job persisted. Following the disappointments from my many job rejections, I almost lost hope and thought to pursue the Ph.D. offer instead. The problem? The University didn’t release my funding. Anxiety began to swell as I mulled over the possibility of being sent back to my home country. Ever so often, as I meditate on God’s words, His promises reassure my heart with peace like one observing fresh red roses dancing on water. However, I remained clueless.

It was a crisp evening when I visited a friend who had just put to bed. “No news yet” was my response to my friend’s question about my permit and job. Out of concern, my friend referred me to her friend, who later sent me two job vacancies she found online. “How is this any different from my previous job applications?” I mumbled. Reeeluuuctaantly, I summoned some energy and courage to apply for only one of the jobs. About one week later, I received a phone call requesting an interview. “This has never happened,” I exclaimed. I was startled at the thought that I almost lost this opportunity.

Read Testimony of how Tayo got his job after a long delay

First-Ever Interview

The interview went very well. At first, the interviewers asked general questions and then inquired how I had been involved with youths. Of course, I didn’t hesitate to tell of my countless experiences working with youths. The interviewers’ countenance gave me hope as I passionately narrated my involvement with youths. I had a feeling that I impressed the interview panel. A few days after the interview, I received a call from the company’s HR department informing me that I’d been offered the job; my contract was sent shortly after that.

I realized that God instructed me to start the youth work not only because of the church or the teenagers but also for myself. God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and He knew I would need to leverage that experience to get my job. Despite the hurdles, I eventually got my work permit, and I can only look forward to the glorious future the Lord has for me in this land. Praise the Lord! God is a good good Father.

As I write and think about this story, I can’t help but ask you to consider:

Are we intentionally putting in our best foot to listen to clearly hear God? Are you pressing in to hear and do God’s instructions in areas of parenting, singlehood, career, business, or finances?

Are you struggling in your health, relationships, business, or studies because you plainly are too busy to sharpen your blades?

Do you persist and continue to do the right things you know, even if it is uncomfortable?

My Final thoughts on how God divinely provides

Every challenge and hardship we face is an opportunity to engage deeper with God; It is a calling to taste and see God’s goodness (Psalm 34:8).

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the ax,” —Abraham Lincoln said. We accomplish much more quickly as we sharpen our blades through prayer, meditating on the Word, and obedience. Eccl 10:10

When the clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth —Diligence and persistence in following God’s instructions is the key to reaping all the blessings God has for us. Eccl 11:3.

God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Hebrew 11:6

If we are willing and obedient to God’s instructions and nudging, we will eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19

Praise God!

— Submitted by Taiwo from Norway

Check out our most popular faith stories

Tayo’s Testimony of How he got his job after a long delay

Amaka’s story of How God helped her through a difficult season of life

Hepzibah’s 18 days Mental battle

How God can save the worst of sinners – Gobel’s story

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Praying and Fasting for a Breakthrough; How I Got My Job

by Amaka | Dec 30, 2017 | Career, Inspirations, True Life Stories

—Submitted by Omotayo from Norway

The Explosive Power of Praying and Fasting

It was in 1999. I’d just graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Yola in Nigeria, and finished my youth service (we served the country for one year). I sought a job from November 2000 to October 2001.

I come from a Moslem family, and my father had many political and business networks. He was ‘well connected’ as they say in Nigeria. Incidentally, I studied Chemical Engineering at the University, so it was nothing for him to connect me to his friends working at the oil companies in Nigeria.

My father contacted many of his friends on my behalf. One time, I received an envelope encasing a letter from the president’s office; to deliver to Shell Nigeria for employment considerations. I still remember the letter, it had an engraved Nigeria’s coat of arms. I hadn’t seen such a well-designed letter. I traveled from Portharcourt, where I lived at the time to Lagos. There I and my dad went on to deliver the letter to the office of Shell’s Human Resources Director. I didn’t hear a word back from that office to date.

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They disappointed me…

I’d tried quite a number of my father’s connections. We went to the executive vice chairman of Exxon Mobile at the time for an opportunity in Exxon Mobile. We even contacted the then Chief Security Officer (CSO) Rivers State Government for a position in Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Bonny, yet nothing came from it. I applied to several companies but no one gave me a callback. The intriguing thing about everything was that I was praying and at the same time “pressing the buttons” hoping to get help from my connections. I tried every possible connection until I burned out. This lasted about 1 year.

Something must be wrong with me…

Out of frustration, one day my well-meaning, Moslem dad had an idea. He advised me to go have a spiritual bath. He went ahead to introduce me to one of his friends that had taken a spiritual bath. ” After I had this spiritual bath, ” his friend announced, ” doors began to open”. I was swamped, daily by such suggestions from my dad and half-sisters who by the way thought I was too proud to take anyone’s advice. It got to the point where my father commenced verbalizing his dissatisfaction with me. He said he had done everything possible a father could do for his son. He had put me through school; he took me to his friends with high status. “There must be something wrong with you”. I must have been cursed with some sort of bad luck,” he suggested, angrily. “Christianity is a useless faith,” he continued, “We pray five times but you Christians pray only once. Which do you think will have more power?”

I decided to do something differently…

Perplexed by all the rantings and disappointments, I told my dad I needed to go away for five days. On September 9th, 2001, I left for my friend’s house in Ebonyi State for a spiritual retreat. I embarked on a three-day, morning to 6 pm fast. It was during this fast that the Lord reprimand me. He said I was foolish in thinking that the arm of flesh would get me a job. He reminded me of Jeremiah 17:5, The scipture says “Thus says the LORD, Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD”. “You have not looked up to me,” The Lord rebuked me. Ah, with a penitent heart, I cried bitterly to God and repented of my sins.

God heard me…

About three days after the fast, in my father’s living room, I stumbled upon Psalm 102:13 which says “Now I will arise and have mercy on Zion for it is time to show favour to her; the appointed time has come.” I felt as though those words were whispered directly to my spirit. There was no shadow of a doubt that those words were for me. In excitement, I jumped up and started dancing. I danced and danced such that an onlooker would think I was dancing to some tune or some music. I only stopped for not wanting the neighbour to think I was crazy. I had a reassuring peace that God had heard me.

You’ll also love Taiwo’s story, How God Miraculously Provided During my Studies

The next day, Tony my friend visited me. And out of excitement, I told Tony that I was going to get a Job. He looked at me expressing surprise like, what has come over you? Seeing, we have both been looking for a job for the past year. He asked, “so what has changed?” Anyways, less than a week after I read that verse—around September 18th, 2001. I received a letter from the company: Fugro Consultant Nigeria, formerly called Nigeria Prodec Fugro asking me to come down for an interview.

This was the first interview letter I’d received after countless applications. The moment I saw this letter, I knew it was my job. The company needed to select only 2 successful candidates. As I prepared for the interview, however, I heard doubts in my head asking “How are you sure you’ll be selected?” The results came out, and I learned that the company selected those who had a score of 70 and above. I luckily scaled through with slightly above 70 marks. There were many others with high scores in the ’80s and ’90s.

In preparation for the 2^nd interview phase, I read all the relevant books I could think of. On the morning of the interview, after my quiet time with God, I began to do a recap of all I’d read. Just then, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart to pick up the diary I’d used during my youth service. The diary contained some points I jotted down from a book called “How to answer tough interview questions” I’d completely forgotten about this diary and hadn’t opened it for a year. I dusted it and opened it that morning, then I glanced through it for a few minutes and continued with my engineering book.

As I sat for the 2^nd phase of the interview, I thought it was going to be a question-and-answer exam. Surprisingly, it was a written exam. There were 16 questions. 15 of the 16 questions were almost word for word what I’d read from my diary that morning. Seeing this, excitement gripped my heart. My first words were “ God I thank you”. I tingled with Joy as I happily reproduced back the answers.

I didn’t receive a response after the said time…

After waiting for the stipulated 2 weeks given by the company, I was quite concerned I’d not been called by the company. Anxiously, I called one of my friends who had also made it to the 2^nd round. He informed me he had already received a rejection letter. This made me all the more nervous. I called the company to find out what was happening and was advised to wait until I get a response.

About the 3rd or fourth week, I received a letter requesting that I come for discussions with the management. On the eve of the scheduled discussion, I attended a vigil —as was my custom— in the Assemblies of God church in Port Harcourt city, Nigeria. After the prayer meeting that night, I bought a book displayed on the tables there at the church.

The next morning, I left for the management discussion with the book I’d bought the previous night. On arriving at the company’s building and having waited at the reception office for a while, the Managing Director summoned me into his office.

We began to talk. The director asked me questions starting with subject-specific questions and gradually veered into more general questions. This was when he asked me why I was holding a Christian book. Now, that was a logical question as my names reflect my Moslem background. I replied, that I was born a Moslem but was miraculously converted to Christianity. On hearing this, he immediately called the office secretary (the late Kate Okafor) to give me my employment letter to sign.

What I later found out from Kate…

Kate later explained that the company had already selected the 1st candidate and had reservations to pick me as the 2nd candidate. They’ve had an issue with a former Moslem employee, so this time around the company wanted an employee who would fully participate in the company’s values. My confirmation was delayed because my two first names are Moslem names. Even today, I often wondered why they still held on to me. This God is good! All glory to God!

You will be encouraged by Amaka’s story, How God Answered Specific Prayers to Clear my Debt

I learned that…

We shouldn’t trust in the arm of flesh— my letter from the office of the presidency.
As believers, we cannot dictate to God ”Use this man or this person”. Let God use whosoever he wants to.
People say you need to know someone before you get a job. I’ll say you need to know God and then He’ll connect you with the right people.
The promises we claim by faith are promises that are revealed to our spirit. It feels as though you’ve already received it when the written Word becomes revealed to you. We must, however, properly position ourselves to hear God.
This experience increased my faith by leaps and bounds. I was able to respond to my father that God was alive. What my dad couldn’t do, God did for me.
During the times we were hoping in our connections, something kept telling me, why don’t you take out time to seek God? I knew something was not in agreement with my spirit but because I desperately needed a job, I ignored the HolySpirit and tagged along; until I hit rock bottom.

Oh, thank you, Jesus!

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How to Overcome Adversity; 5 Ways I Overcame Mine

by Amaka | Sep 4, 2017 | Career, True Life Stories

Image from Pixabay, by Foundry Co.

Life is laced with adversity.

Either you’re in one now, just coming out of one, or getting ready to go into one.

Adversity comes in different shapes and sizes.

They show up as difficulties, misfortunes, distress, trouble, mishaps, hardships, misery, distress, and disappointments.

If you’ve ever been disappointed or hurt, you know that it is more crushing if you were hurt by a close friend, colleague, child, spouse, or relative.

None of us sets out for the day, hoping to be mistreated, disappointed, and hurt.

But adversity creeps up on us when we least expect it.

Here in this blog post, Amaka shares her painful betrayal story and the life-changing lessons she gleaned from it. You’ll learn how to remain confident and the practical steps you’ll need to conquer your adversity, whether it is workplace rivalry, peer gossip, family feud, or any trouble for that matter.

Let’s get right in.

5 Ways to Overcome Adversity

1. Know You’re Capable

“Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal;

it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.” — Eliza Tabor.

Our attitude is everything. It is paramount to how we handle issues, especially in sudden and unexpected adversities. What we think about any problem is significant in how fast and how well the problem will be resolved.

Just like abrasives are used to smoothen out rough edges on materials, so distress or adversity can be used to refine us into wiser, more efficient, and truly humble people. Within you lie the strength to handle the adversities of life, but it starts with how you and I respond. And our responses shape the quality of life, friendships, freedom, and opportunities we’ll experience afterward.

Thinking of yourself as being capable of facing any difficulty is the first and right disposition to victory. A capable mentality will dictate if you’ll be better or bitter after an adverse situation. This also affects your ability to pursue goals with energy and persistence.

The scripture puts it this way:

“A broken (crushed) spirit saps your strength, but a cheerful heart is a good medicine” —Proverbs 17:22

In fact, in 2012, broken was exactly what I felt at my workplace.

Overcoming adversity

The next step is

2. Ponder, Don’t Act on Impulse

I learned to ponder. It was a frigid morning in February 2012; I had just resumed work after my four (4) weeks vacation break.

Everything seemed nice and smooth until I phoned a colleague, the store manager, for assistance. Her response over the phone suggested that something was wrong. Then when she announced that she’ll be coming to meet me at my store office shortly, I knew that something had gone amiss.

My branch manager walked in with this gloomy, drab look that confirmed my suspicion. She started by narrating some incidents that had occurred while I was away. Then she dropped some accusing statements that took me quite some time to process.

I froze as those words swirled around my head. I lost all ounces of strength to defend myself and did not have a clue of what to do. Even on my worst day, I could not imagine such accusations.

As I stood startled, trying so hard to think straight, she announced that my work was henceforth terminated and that I had two weeks to appeal.

I was angry, frustrated and shattered. My world froze as myriads of thoughts raced through my mind.

“What would people say?” I’d testified how I miraculously got the job.

“What a bad example you are; how will I pay my bills? No other person will want to hire you…” The thoughts kept streaming in.

I was so heartbroken that everything within me wanted to lash out. Just then, I heard this gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit saying to keep calm.

Somehow by God’s grace, I managed to restrain myself and did not act on impulse. I didn’t know that I was just about to enter my dark tunnel.

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3. Build Inner strength

Though I did not lash out or even defend myself, I was clueless about what to do. The following days were simply horrible; my days brimmed with confusion and bewilderment. I had zero motivation to lift a finger.

This brings to mind the scriptures in Proverbs 24:10, which says,

“ If your strength fails on the day of battle, your strength is small.”

In other words, if we sink, withdraw, slack, or quit, on a day of affliction, troubles, distress, or challenge, our ability and strength are insufficient.

I couldn’t think straight. My thoughts were blurred with anger and disappointment. However, as I studied and meditated on the Word of God, I noticed the anger gradually dissipating.

One of those mornings, as I prayed and remained calm in meditation, I was mentally jolted by the thought in Romans 8:28 that

” Everything works together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose…” grabbed my attention.

This sudden thought evoked a strong assurance in me that everything would go well. Since I was still unsure what to do, I spent more time with God in prayer and the Word, trusting Him to direct my steps.

When we study, meditate, and pray the scriptures, especially in hard times, we ignite our spirits to hear God clearly and receive instruction and direction. Like someone training with weights, prayer, and the Word builds up our spirit’s capacity to bear any challenge. My spirit was built up, and I had God’s peace during this storm.

4. Know Where to Get Counsel / Help

Proverbs 11:14 says, where there is no counsel, the people fall, but there is safety in the multitude of counselors.

Let the Holy Spirit be your first counselor. Avoid running off to tell people a negative report before speaking with your father above. Sure, we may seek counsel from people but let’s learn to consult God FIRST. That shows we trust and value His opinion more than anyone else’s.

Regarding this, the Bible says:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He is a shrub in the desert and shall not see any good come.

He shall dwell in an uninhabited salt land in the parched places of the wilderness. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD”— (Jeremiah 17:5-7).

As the days passed, we (my husband and I) sensed we should contact a lawyer.

5. Take Informed Action But Guard Your Heart

While we reached out to a lawyer and made plans for the hearing, the Lord led me to read the bible scripture about how to treat people who hurt you. In Matthew 5:44-48 ( please take time to read), the bible says, paraphrasing: to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, to do good to those who hate us, and to bless and do not curse.

God wanted me to start praying for my colleague. It wasn’t easy initially, but I had to cooperate with the Holy Spirit because I needed God to vindicate me. At first, it felt like I was chewing sand. But the more I looked at this scripture, the more I found the grace to pray for my colleague. I asked God to forgive my colleague. I started saying that I loved and forgave her and prayed for God to reveal Himself to her. Gradually, I noticed my attitude toward her beginning to change from anger to compassion. I couldn’t speak ill of her anymore. I was able to forgive.

I learned a few days before my hearing that there’d been some chit-chatting behind my back while I was away on vacation. This whole situation was the aftermath of those conversations.

Finally, on the day of the hearing at my workplace, I was amazed when my other colleagues I didn’t consult spoke up for me. I was shocked at the outcome of events in my favor. As a result, the company apologized profusely and annulled its statement against me. I was then restored to work.

Surprisingly, like the ricochet of a bullet, the store manager was demoted and replaced some weeks later. And then, two years later, after this store manager and I had left the company, she called me one day to apologize. This previous colleague admitted that she offended me and asked for my forgiveness. Oh, all glory to God!

Watching how God fights our battles and dampens the effect of adversity is amazing. This only happens when we handle hurt, mishaps, disappointments, or setbacks in God’s recommended way — good attitude, faith, and reflection. Yes, God works everything for our good because we love Him. He also uses adversity to refine us in the process.

So, Have You Been Hurt, Disappointed, or in a Tight Spot?

Remember,

You’re able to defeat gossip, workplace backbiting, distress, or heartbreak.

To ponder and assess if you contributed to the issue and what steps you need to take.

To build up your spiritual muscle by turning to God’s word, the grand source of truth, to get the right perspective to deal with any bitterness or pain.
- If we make time for God’s words, they show up in times of adversity.
- A strong spirit can stand in anything (Prov 18:14). God’s Word is food for our spirit. It becomes our thoughts and words if we feed enough of it. Working through us and helping us think and act right.

Seek Counsel in Prayer.
- Prayer directs your steps to the right solution.
- Read books, and talk to a friend or a counselor, but please seek God first.
- God uses good and bad situations, especially people’s bad attitudes, to refine us.
Guard your heart while you wait, pray, or take action.

Now you know that,

People’s bad attitudes should never change your good attitude.

You’re more than a conqueror, regardless, if you love and keep God’s words.

Unforgiveness, fear, adversity, and panic cannot take you down because your faith is the victory that overcomes any adversity you’ll ever face. —1 John 5:4.