Don’t Lose Your Joy – June 2025 Article

Don’t Lose Your Joy

Text: Habakkuk 3:17–19

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” (KJV)

Introduction

Joy may be costly and difficult to obtain, but it is simple to cultivate if you connect with the source of joy. Happiness is easy to find and can be found in any situation; nevertheless, it is transient and only exists for a short time.

Now that we have reached halfway through the year, many of us are assessing our emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical well-being. Several people began the year with great faith in God and a sense of optimism, hoping to achieve breakthroughs, health, success, or restoration.

Nonetheless, as you stand here in June, you may face unexpected challenges, such as job loss, health issues, strained relationships, financial shortfalls, or spiritual tiredness. In these moments, it is easy to become discouraged or let your delight vanish.

God’s Word, on the other hand, invites us to take a different perspective; one that is not influenced by our circumstances but rather is based on a more profound truth: our delight is not dependent on what we have but on who God is.

As we progress through Habakkuk’s book, let us consider what it means to keep your joy in the face of life’s unexpected turns.

1: Your Circumstances May Not Change Immediately (v. 17)

Habakkuk depicts a bleak landscape. His portrayal includes a complete collapse of agriculture, with no figs, grapes, olives, cereals, or livestock. Rather than being a nuisance, this was a catastrophe for an agricultural community. In modern terms, this would be equivalent to losing your money, health, support systems, or security.

Habakkuk, on the other hand, is sincere; he does not hide his sorrow. This serves as a reminder that pretending everything is well is not a demonstration of faith. Recognizing difficulty without allowing it to consume your hope is the core of this.

Examining the period of January to June: many people began the year 2025 with prayer, vision boards, and resolutions. Nonetheless, you have probably experienced more “losses” than gains up to this point. Perhaps no mending occurred in the connection. The job did not proceed as expected. The diagnosis was confirmed here.

Furthermore, you are asking, “God, where are You?” This verse should serve as a reminder that while your circumstances may not change immediately, God’s presence in the midst of them remains constant.

2: Joy Is a Choice, Not a Feeling (v. 18)

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

This is amongst the most authoritative “YET” passages in the Bible. Habakkuk, the prophet, laments, “Yet I will rejoice,” even though everything is going wrong. He chooses delight because God remains deserving, not because everything is perfect. God’s presence causes joy, not the lack of barriers.

Hard soil is highly beneficial to the development of the fruit of the Spirit. This type of joy overcomes adversity, proclaiming, “I still have a reason to worship.”

Analyzing the period of January to June: where have you chosen to find joy in the face of disappointment this year? It is possible that you continued to pray despite your reservations. You were likely able to inspire others despite your discouragement. It is possible that you expressed thankfulness to God despite the tears running down your cheeks.

That does not indicate vulnerability but rather fortitude. This is a decision to choose pleasure. Moreover, that is precisely the paradigm Habakkuk used.

3: God Will Strengthen and Elevate You (v. 19)

“The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”

Deer feet, often known as hinds’ feet, are designed to travel across rough and hilly terrain. The words spoken are Habakkuk’s: “God will not only strengthen me but also equip me to walk where it appears impossible to walk.”

When God grants you hind feet, He does not always remove the mountain from your path; instead, He prepares you to climb it.

Examining the timeframe of January to June: what type of strength has God put on you that you were unaware you had? In what ways has He helped you get through difficult times?

It is possible that you have yet to experience your miracle, yet the fact that you are still standing is impressive in and of itself.

As you look ahead to the remaining months of 2025, remember that God has not finished your story. You are being prepared to walk in higher areas with increased faith, purpose, and unexpected benefits. He is preparing you to walk through these places.

Conclusion

The truth is that life is not always fair. Let us face it. However, God’s faithfulness remains unshakable. As a result, your joy must be based on Him rather than your current circumstances.

Do not let the failure of your plans steal your delight. Do not let the disappointment of others force you to lose your joy. Do not let the fact that the year did not start as you had hoped hinder your enjoyment.

It is because God remains your strength even amid disaster. To this day, He works behind the scenes. Still, He is doing well.

Reflection and Application

As you reflect on your journey from January to June, take some time this week to:

Write down your blessings and burdens. Acknowledge both.

Ask God for renewed strength and joy. Pray Habakkuk 3:17–19 over your life.

Encourage someone else. Sometimes joy grows when we help others find theirs.

Let the declaration of Habakkuk be yours: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Prayer

Father, even when the fig tree doesn’t blossom and the vines don’t bear fruit, I choose to rejoice in You. Be my strength in weakness. Lift me to higher places and teach me to walk with steady feet, even on rocky ground. I will not lose my joy, because I have not lost You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

John Aderogba for ROPMI

 

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Don’t Be Offended by God’s Silence – May 2025 Article

Title: Don’t Be Offended by God’s Silence

Bible Texts: Matthew 15:23; Jeremiah 29:11

Matthew 15:23

“Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’” (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

Introduction

Life’s journey is marked by exhilarating mountain peaks and sorrowful valley lows. It is not determined by chance or fate but by God’s sovereign hand. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). This journey is meant to shape and align us with God’s eternal design.

However, we often encounter times of deep sorrow, need, or uncertainty; moments when heaven appears strangely silent. Our prayers seem unanswered. Our pain, unrelieved. In such moments, we may feel forsaken, forgotten, or abandoned by God. Yet, God’s silence does not mean His absence. It does not indicate a lack of care or rejection.

In truth, God’s silence is often a redemptive strategy; a thread in the tapestry of His saving work. Just as a master artist uses both light and shadow, God uses silence to deepen our faith, refine our character, and draw us nearer to Him. His silence is purposeful, just as a wise guide knows when to speak and when to let the journey speak for itself. Silence may not signal the end but a turning point in our spiritual growth. Even when we cannot hear Him, He still speaks.

When heaven seems quiet, let us reflect on what it might mean for believers, and how we should respond to God’s apparent stillness.

  1. God’s Silence Tests the Depth of Our Faith

Matthew 15:21–28 recounts the remarkable story of the Canaanite woman who pleaded with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. In verse 23, “Jesus did not answer a word.” His initial silence was not indifference but a test, an opportunity to expose and purify the woman’s faith.

She persisted, even in the face of silence. Her trust was rooted in the power and goodness of Christ, not in an immediate answer. Her persistence moved Jesus, who eventually responded, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” (v. 28)

Likewise, God’s silence in our lives often serves to test the sincerity and depth of our faith. As 1 Peter 1:6–7 states, trials come “so that the proven genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold… may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Silence from heaven challenges us to believe in God’s character and promises, even when we cannot trace His hand.

  1. God’s Silence Prepares Us for Something Greater

The story of Lazarus in John 11 reveals how divine silence can precede divine glory. After Mary and Martha informed Jesus of Lazarus’s illness, He delayed His visit. For two agonizing days, Jesus remained silent, and Lazarus died.

To the sisters, this delay likely felt like abandonment. But Jesus explained, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

His silence preceded a miracle more astonishing than healing: resurrection. God’s silence often foreshadows something greater. His delays are not His denials.

As Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Often, God is working behind the scenes, changing circumstances, transforming hearts, and orchestrating events to reveal His glory.

  1. God’s Silence Invites Us Into Deeper Intimacy

Rather than prompting us to try harder, God’s silence may be His way of inviting us closer. In silence, we are drawn not only to seek His hand but to know His heart. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

In our loud, fast-paced world, silence can feel uncomfortable. Yet God often whispers His most profound truths in silence. Elijah discovered this on Mount Horeb; God was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).

In silence, God builds a relationship based on His presence, not just His provision. The stillness becomes sacred; a space of connection, much like lovers who communicate without words.

After enduring silence and suffering, Job finally declared, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5) God’s silence invites us to pause, reflect, and reorient ourselves to know Him in both waiting and fulfillment.

Conclusion

God’s silence always serves a purpose. Whether He is drawing us closer, testing our trust, or preparing us for something greater, His silence is never wasted. Like the Canaanite woman, we are called to persevere. Like Mary and Martha, we are called to trust, even when all seems lost. Like Elijah and Job, we are called to listen in the quiet.

Silence does not mean the story is over; it may be the whisper before the breakthrough, the breath before the miracle. As Lamentations 3:25–26 assures us: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

May your silent seasons draw you nearer to God, not further away.

Reflection

Have you ever felt hurt or forgotten by God’s silence?

Today, reflect on this truth: God is not ignoring you. He is shaping you. His silence is not His absence; it is often His most loving tool to deepen your trust and refine your soul.

Take time to pray, journal, or simply sit in silence, not asking for answers, but for an awareness of His presence.

And remember: Don’t be offended by God’s silence; be transformed by it.

Let Us Pray

Father, I know You are always there for me, and You will never leave me alone in my moments of loneliness. I am sorry for my ignorance in thinking that Your silence is due to my mistakes or sins. Please forgive me and have mercy on me.

My Lord and God, I need You every hour. Breathe Your presence into my situation. Let the Holy Spirit minister hope to me and grant me grace to persevere.

Amen.

– John Aderogba for ROPMI

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THINK LIKE A VICTOR – APRIL 2025 ARTICLE

Text: Romans 8:37

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (NIV)

Introduction 

To think like a victor involves refusing to accept defeat or failure as the final outcome. It is a mindset that looks beyond problems and setbacks, recognizing that each challenge is an opportunity for growth and that triumph is always possible, no matter how difficult the situation appears.

This kind of thinking is especially powerful when we consider Jesus Christ’s ultimate victory on the cross at Calvary. His triumph over sin and death teaches us that, regardless of how dire the circumstances may seem, victory is achievable through faith, patience, and trust in God’s power.

For anyone facing personal, professional, or spiritual obstacles, thinking like a victor means acknowledging that such situations are opportunities to draw on God’s strength and guidance for ultimate triumph.

Point 1: Embrace Challenges as Opportunities 

One of the most crucial aspects of thinking like a victor is changing our perspective on problems. Life’s challenges are often seen as barriers, but the victorious mindset views them as stepping stones to growth and success.

 

James 1:2-4 says, “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.”

This passage reminds us that challenges are not meant to break us, but to strengthen our faith and build our character. When facing trials, instead of giving in to despair, we should see them as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. Just as Christ endured the ultimate struggle on the cross, our challenges can also lead to victory when we trust in God.

Point 2: Trust in God’s Plan and Timing 

Victory does not always come the way we expect or at the time we desire. To think like a victor, we must believe in God’s plan and timing for our lives.

Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Even when everything appears to be falling apart, God is working behind the scenes for our good. Many viewed Jesus’ crucifixion as a tragic defeat, but it was actually the moment of salvation’s triumph for all humanity.

Jesus’ willingness to trust God’s plan, even amid incredible pain, teaches us that true victory does not come from avoiding difficulty, but from trusting in God’s sovereignty in the midst of it. By aligning ourselves with God’s purpose and trusting in His timing, we adopt a victor’s mindset that empowers us to overcome life’s greatest challenges.

Point 3: Live in the Power of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our ultimate victory. After the darkness of the crucifixion, Jesus rose triumphant over sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

This powerful passage reveals the transformative power of the resurrection. Living with this resurrection power means embracing the new life we have in Christ—free from the bondage of sin and full of strength to face every challenge.

No matter the trials we encounter, we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). When we live with a resurrection mindset, we walk in victory every day.

Conclusion

Embracing challenges, trusting in God’s purpose and timing, and living in the power of the resurrection all contribute to cultivating a victor’s mindset. It’s not about avoiding hardship or pretending problems don’t exist, but about recognizing that, in Christ, we can triumph over anything.

We, too, can live victoriously in every area of life if we rely on His power and trust His purpose, just as Jesus achieved ultimate victory on the cross.

Finally, it is essential to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because He is the true source of both victory and life.

Reflections 

As you go through life, ask yourself:

– How do I react when I face challenges?

– Do I see them as opportunities for growth, or do I give up in defeat?

– Do I trust in God’s plan, even when things don’t go my way?

Reflecting on these questions will help you develop a victorious mindset. Remember, victory is not just a destination; it’s a way of thinking and living every day.

Let us embrace the victory Jesus won for us, knowing that with Him, we are always more than conquerors.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, I thank You for the victory You won for me on the cross of Calvary. I embrace the victory of the cross as the banner over every challenge I face.

By the power of the resurrection, I become unstoppable in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

John Aderogba for ROPMI

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