God uses challenges, disaster to strengthen us, make us better children, says Former President Obasanjo at CACMA Surrey Docks District programme

The former President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said in most cases, God allowed His children to pass through disaster and challenges in order to make them better children.

Chief Obasanjo stated this while ministering at a programme tagged "The Servant Leadership" organised by Christ Apostolic Church Men Association (CACMA), Surrey Docks District, London. The theme of the programme which was held on Zoom is "Rebuilding after the Pandemic"

According to him, any struggle or disaster for us as children of God should be regarded as a means or strength for us now and for the future.

"We thank God that He has tempered the rage of COVID-19 in Africa. It has not been devestating as some of us thought it would be. We thank God for His favour upon all of us in Africa. COVID-19 has been very desruptive economically."

"We were caught unawares by the pandemic. I must give commendation to almost all our governments in Africa for the way they stood up and fought COVID-19, but there is still more to do individually and collectively."

"Individually, we have to build ourselves up. We have to sustain ourselves and realize that it has come, but it is not the end of the world. We have to strengthen ourselves and realize that any struggle or disaster for us children of God should be regarded as a means of strengthening for us now and for the future. God didn't tell us life would be bed of roses (John 16:33): If our Savior says He has overcome the world, we should be ready to overcome any unforseen circumstance that may come our way."

"The first way to rebuild is food availability and production. Without food our situation during and after the pandemic would be worse.  The second way to rebuild is hospitality. Those who engage in this business have been badly hit. We must remember that God is not God of evil, but He may allow evil to happen for whatever reason. In most cases it is to strengthen us or make us better children of God. At times to make us recognise Him as God."