Psalm 27:5 It was legendary Robert Schuller who said “Tough times never last, but tough people do”. Yes indeed, there are and will be tough times in the life of everyman, but the big question is, are they tough enough to handle the tough time? Will you be manly enough to handle your tough times?
A. Tough Times and Men Psalm 34:17, 19
A real man must be a man of steenly character, godly attitude, unwavering faith, clear conscience and forthright dispositions. Of course, that in itself will bring tough times.
Tough times are difficult times, stormy seasons, problematic situations, financial losses, test and trials of faith, unlimited sufferings, joblessness, ill- luck, disappointments, business crash, struggling with little or nothing, unstable work, loss of loved ones, forsaken by friends, scandals and confusing situations; battling with a particular curse, nightmare or oppressive bondage. These tough times might come due to your mistakes, sins, demonic activities or through no fault of yours. They may be short or long. They may be severe or mild.
But usually, they are dark days and times that try men’s souls.
B. Men’s Reaction to Tough Times Psalm 16:4
Various men have reacted to tough times in varied ways.
Let’s check out some:-
1. Downcast, discouraged and overwhelmed
2. Forsaking God and angry with their creator
3. Worry, anxiety, hypertension and grumbling
4. Running from pillar to post for help
5. Resorting to occultic solution and juju
6. Resorting to stealing, robbery and harming others
7. Becoming touchy, vengeful and unhappy at others
8. Looking for quick escape and get-rich quick syndrome
9. Giving up on life and drinking, womanising and surviving by trick
Quite sadly that many men have wrongly reacted and handled their tough times through these aforementioned ways. The truth is that they have moved into deeper and tougher times. When men are small within, they cannot handle tough times without.
C. Peculiarity of Tough Times to A Man
The way God wired a man is quite different to that of a woman.
- Man is a banker provided by nature
- A man is motivated by his work
- A real man feels and act responsible
Therefore, when a man faces tough time, he is deeply touched and troubled. For a real man, tough times should be:-
- Time for reappraisal and rethinking
- Time to draw closer to God like never before
- Time to stand for what is right
- Time to display manly strength of character
- Time to display the stuff you are made of
- Time to prepare for God’s greater blessing
Indeed and in truth, tough times don’t last, only tough people do.
Recommended Reading
10 Spiritual Keys To Preventing Church Decline
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Daniel
10 Guidelines That will Keep You In Minsrtry
D. How to Handle your Tough Times Admirably – Psalm 118:5, 6
The truth of the matter is that tough times will always come. If you don’t handle them, they will surely handle you. One of the signs of a real man is ability to handle tough times in an admirable way, because it is then you will have good stories to tell.
1. Be sure of your stand with God
Let there be no barrier between you and God
2. Possess a dream and a vision
Focus on your dream despite all the storms around you
3. Grow to True Maturity
Your inner strength is what matters during tough times. If you don’t snap within, you will overcome without. If you are crumbled up within, you will fail without. Develop and work on your inner strength and growth
4. Encourage Yourself to rise up
No outside motivation and encouragement will work if you don’t do it for yourself. Motivate yourself to start all over again. Rise up again and again.
5. Work and Pray
Work as if everything depend on you and pray as if everything depend on God. Be ready to do everything and anything, except stealing and defrauding others to succeed.
6. Be Informed
Get informed. Get educated. Update and upgrade yourself. Learn how to move up, become better and live better from books, seminars, trainings and self-improvement courses.
7. Be Consistent
Consistency with God in the right way and with the truth will pay off at the end. No matter the situation, don’t change the truth. Keep on keeping on-in the right track.
8. Be wise
Be wise enough to save, invest and manage your little resources in a prudent way. Opportunities comes but once, be wise enough to recognize it, even if dressed in overalls. Seize it and go for it.