Navigating Life’s Problem: The Joy of Resilience
People often say that if money can’t solve a problem, then more money probably can. This seems true for those who see everything through a money lens, but the truth is that life problems are not always equated to money problems. There’s a difference between money problems and life problems; money problems, though very important, remain only a subset of life problems.
If money could fix everything in life, why do they say ‘the rich also cry’? If rich people cry, it means life’s problems affect everyone, and you and I cannot escape all of them—yes, we can duck some by making quality decisions. Hence, we must learn how to handle our down moments and remain hopeful even when faced with mountains.
Don’t ask Davido if money saved his son, Ifeanyi. Don’t ask Jeff Bezos or Korra Obidi if money saved their marriages. Money didn’t stop Michael Jackson's legal troubles and death. Ask Wizkid how sad it is that death took his dear mother, or Selena Gomez about her struggles with lupus and her kidney transplant in 2017.
When things get tough, turning to God, who can do anything and give us a happy life, is important. But there are pains God won’t take away right away, or maybe not at all. May Pastor Dare Adeboye rest in peace. We’ve seen real men of God lose their loved ones—sons, daughters, and beloved family members—or even die when we don’t want them to. May Bimbo Odukoya, Wilson Badejo, and Pastor David Yonggi Cho rest in the Lord’s bosom.
Life problems are multifaceted and often run simultaneously. I mean, money problems wouldn’t spare you because you have other life problems, and other life problems wouldn’t spare you because you have money. Bills, taxes, family problems, and other adult responsibilities have no regard for your emotions or sickness, and this can be super overwhelming. Hence, we must find a deeper meaning for our lives that’s capable of keeping us going against all odds. For me, I find solace in my faith in Christ. My bible says, If in this life only I have hope..., I am of all men most miserable — 1 Corinthian 15:19 (adapted). Feeling a sense of fulfilment in this life, in spite of life problems, requires that we fixate our minds on a higher purpose, a higher calling, and our creator’s manual.
Problems are part of life. Challenges remind us that everyone, no matter their level of faith or how much money they have, is human and can go through tough times. Remember, while money can make life easier and more secure, it doesn’t guarantee happiness or fulfilment. Those come from inside us and are often found in our relationships, passions, and faith in God. Knowing that everyone faces secret pains, no matter how they look or how much money they have, can make us more understanding and kind.
