By Olubunmi Adebayo
*As indicated yesterday, we shall today be looking at the question : “what can we do to help our conviction to be strong and firm in the face of life challenges and trials?”*
*During our reflection for yesterday, we said Ruth’s conviction was uncompromising and strong in the face of the challenges confronting her.*
*The following tips can help in strengthening our conviction in the journey of life :*
*1) You must ensure that your conviction is subject to nursing and nurturing with the word of God.*
*Hear what the word of God says in Romans 10:17 : “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.*
*The more you are filled with the words of God, the more you will be able to survive any environment of compromise or situation of trial that may confront you.*
*Taking a cue from Ruth, her declaration as follows is reflection of a deep faith in God, despite her Moabitishp background :*
*Ruth 1: [16] And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:*
*[17]Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.*
*[18]When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.*
*2) Grow your Spirit of discernment. The spirit of discernment helps you to know what you should know and do. Should it not surprise you that no less a person but the mother -in- law : Naomi, that was the one pressuring her to go back? The pressure was strong, logical and overwhelming. Note that Naomi was being sincere in trying to dissuade Ruth from going into a nation she knew very little about after the calamity that had befallen both of them. Know too that anybody can be used to test your faith and conviction. Also note that the words of Naomi above was to actually test the genuineness and sincerity of Ruth.*
*3) Be unwavering in your conviction.*
*We must ensure that our decisions are not subject to back and forth positions such that we become unstable. Ruth in her conviction was resolute.*
*”But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” -James 1:6.*
*4) As a rider to point 3 above, learn to overcome what I call “the Clues of Compromise”. Standing before every man of conviction, is a clue to compromise that will come to you suggestive of a leeway for compromise, and which you will need to strongly overcome or subdue.*
*Note that, if care is not taken at this stage, your strength of conviction may likely collapse as a pack of cards.*
*Imagine this statement to Ruth :*
*To be concluded tomorrow, God willing.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
