Two Periods

There are two periods in the life of a man that is not always naturally desired but in most cases it seems unavoidable. During this period, some go any length to ensure they get relief. In the process, some lose their belief in who they have known to be God. I want to describe this two life threatening period as I have been able to classify it by the help of the Holy Spirit. 

The first is what I call the “Fire Period”. Fire is generally known to burn and feared by every living creature because of the damage it could cause. However, it is also useful to bring out the best of the gold; ask a goldsmith. So also in the journey of life, there is a similitude of the fire experience. It is not desired, it hurts, in fact it is perceived to damage but it is intended to refine to purpose. At such period, it seems as if all hope is lost and nothing can be done again. It is a period you have tried all your possible best to salvage a situation but the more you try the more it seems it is getting worse. And in most cases questions that pops up in your mind includes: “Is it true there is a God? If there is God, has He forsaken me?

The fire period is always tense that you just wish you never existed. Those who don’t have Jesus in truth in such period take the option of committing suicide. Now, the basic point to note is that this time comes as a result of your faith. It is to test how true you are to Jesus. Hence, this period is typical to men in the faith. Job is a case study as to a man who went through fire experience. It became so hot that his wife gave him a free advice to curse God and die. That’s for fire period.

The second period is the “Water Period”. This come in a harmless form but could end up being deadly. Water is a part of life that is critical to the survival of human existence. Water could also be deadly when it goes beyond control as in the case of the days of Noah. Now, in relation to the stages of life, water is of two categories; the river and the sea (deep waters). The river is a body of water that you can still try to navigate through with less experience. They are difficult times that could still answer to reasoning. Such period don’t sweep you off your feet easily as much as the fire period. This period is not typical to people of faith alone. It is a season for both believers and unbelievers. 

These could be troubling times of financial, academic, slight health or relationship challenges.  This period in most times happen as a general phenomenon just like the current global economic crisis. Jacob and his sons had to face the problem of famine in the world which brought them to Egypt. It was a life threatening issue but not totally difficult as there was a place to go for help. What this period does is to separate those who can believe God totally for everything and those who feel I can get what I want using any means since it’s not a direct spiritual matter. This falls under the “river sub-period” in the “water period” of life.

The other side of “water period” is the “sea”. This is a deeper level of water experience. To stay afloat here, skills is needed. And beyond skills, experience is required. It is a time of great trouble that comes along with guilt. It is almost similar to what comes during the fire period but the difference is that this starts with comfort which most times leaves man desolate. This period is initiated by the devil with the instrument of fear and executed with the assistance of guilt. Remember Peter? As soon as fear set in he began to sink into great trouble. This period is typical to those young in the faith and those who have grown to make them see impossibility.

These are situations that comes with the devil connecting it to your past. The purpose of this is to make you feel grace cannot find you. Why this period portends more trouble is because you are now in between the chess with the feeling “I think I caused this for myself”.  Nothing destabilizes a man as much as that feeling of regret. The situation looks so irredeemable. Such cases like this includes having engaged in series of abortion before coming to the faith and now you are told your womb is damaged or as a man got so addicted to masturbation but now married and finding it hard to father a child. It may even be as a youth that you have so messed yourself that things don’t go well now in relation to what you did then. It then looks like an impossibility. So, you ask the question “Can anything good come out of my Nazareth again?”

Now, having described these two periods in the journey of life, I don’t know where you are in, however, I have got something to tell you about all.

There is someone who knows about these periods of life. He went through the two periods and showed supremacy over both to give you rest when you go through them. I read from the scriptures that three Hebrew boys were thrown into the fire and there was a fourth man in the fire with them. So, He has supremacy over fire.

Jesus told His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. Only for them to see someone walking on the water towards them and He also got Peter on board. So, He showed us He has supremacy over water too. This made Him declare in His word that:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you” Isiah 43:2

So, wherever you are, Jesus assures you of His presence with full proofs. To those in the fire now, He is in there with you. To those in the rivers, He is got you covered and to those in the sea, He specializes in impossibilities, that’s why you are there. All you need do is hang on to Him. His presence is all that matters. Don’t lose the faith!

Enjoy your week.

Yours truly,

Olufemi Ibitoye

@toyeolufemi