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Food for Living: The Power of Faith
By Henry Ukazu
Greetings Destiny Friends,
“Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every journey of life undertaken without faith will surely end in frustration; nothing is guaranteed and there’s nothing worthwhile that can ever be achieved without faith. The reason is obvious; no one sees the end place before they begin a project. For instance, in business, one can never tell how far they can go if they do not begin; it is faith that makes a student believe a 4.0 or 5.O GPA on graduation is possible. It’s with faith an employee believes he will get to the managerial or topmost position in his field of endeavour.
Faith, ordinarily, is the capital to begin any enterprise, endeavour or life’s journey.
Let me make this disclosure, I’m nor referring to the spiritual kind of ‘faith’ in this article, rather I’m referring to the inspirational faith which progressive minds use to achieve the extraordinary.
It’s instructive to note that faith is a powerful force that can transform our lives and help us overcome obstacles. If you have a project or vision in mind you would like to accomplish, if you don’t have extraordinary faith, it will be hard to achieve your dreams.
Great and visionary leaders had absolute faith and believe in themselves and their projects. They were not deterred by the vicissitudes of life. As a matter of fact, they were inspired by their challenges because it enabled them to work hard.
According to NapoleonHill, in his book, Think and Grow Rich, “whatsoever the mind can conceive, believe, it can achieve it”. This tells you how powerful the mind is. It should be noted, success and failure start from the mind. If you believe you can do something, you will do it and if you believe you can’t do anything, trust me, you can’t do it. Even the Book of life states 1 John 4:4 that “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”.
What is faith? Faith is the confident belief in something that is not yet seen or fully understood. As mentioned earlier, without faith, it’s impossible to achieve any commendable feat. Uninformed minds think faith is having everything ready before they begin a project. They have this mindset, if all the t’s are crossed, and i’s are dotted, what’s left is do the necessary. They fail to understand that done is better than perfect when perfect is not done. Sometimes in life, you don’t wait for the coast to be clear before you can soar.
Just imagine the ship thriving despite waves in the ocean and the plane flying the wind in the air. That’s simply how life works. We don’t give up due to the challenges of life. Sometimes, it’s through the challenges we are fashioned. It’s just like the gold and petroleum which must be processed before they become refined products. So also, we must pass through some challenges in order to be processed, refined and appreciated.
Furthermore, when one has faith and believes in a project, the universe has a way of bringing interested minds, who are either passionate about the project or cause to support the being.
One may be wondering how faith works, imagine being hungry as a student, one will not feel the hunger too much if one knows he has food in his refrigerator. Now compare that scenario to when there’s no food. My late mother will always say, the most painful part of being poor is, if one does not have money and doesn’t know anyone to borrow from. Trust me, it can be heartbreaking.
The importance of faith cannot be overemphasized, faith gives us hope, it strengthens us, it brings blessings, and it inspires hope and confidence.
The power of faith can enrich one’s life in many ways. Here are some of the ways faith improves our work and life.
1. Faith Improves Your Daily Work
When you love what you do, you will be inspired to spend some time developing your project. Faith impacts what you do, how you do it and how you live your life. With faith, you will be intentional. Faith keeps you going. If you want to do any task, you need to have faith that you will accomplish it. If you have faith, you feel motivated to get things done because the faith will serve as a propeller.
2. Faith Helps You in Difficult Times
There is a popular phrase, “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” If you have faith, you will have hope, and hope will help you endure difficult times and uncertainties in life. Times can be bad, and you may find yourself drowning in despair. But never lose hope. Even when you lose your job, suffer the pain of losing a beloved, don’t have enough money, or face any other challenge, having faith means to release control to a greater power, the universe or God.
3. Faith Encourages Others
Do you know your faith can inspire and encourage others? Have you wondered how creative-minded people come up with new ideas or directions to take after failing multiple times? They have faith that they can achieve their goal. No matter what comes their way, they remain focused and motivated, even after facing backlash from people. Their example can encourage others to follow the same path. You too can be the same way by having faith. People around you will learn from you. They will follow your lead. When you have absolute faith and believe in a project, people will notice.
4. Faith Gives You Courage
Courage helps you do the things that scare you. It plays a significant role in motivating you to act on something despite the risks or dangers involved. If you have courage, you show more strength in times of pain or grief. Courage comes directly from faith. For instance, you gather the courage to go on a job interview. You think you won’t get the job, but there is always a chance you will. You have faith in yourself and your abilities and take a bold step in going after the job, which can lead you to success.
5. Faith Helps you Discover Purpose
The ups and downs of life can take a toll on you. In some cases, it leads you to question why you’re here. But when you do, faith can save you from falling. It guides you to move in the right direction and helps you discover your purpose in life.
In conclusion, we all travel by air and trust the pilot to take us to our destination safely, we all use the sea and trust the captains to arrive safely, we all have faith that when we turn on the light, it will lighten up, why can’t we trust the creator we have not seen? When you trust the creator, believe in your project and believe in yourself, trust me, you will not only get to the promised land, but you will also exceed expectations. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny and Unleash Your Destiny. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) of Nigeria has urged the Federal government to arrest and prosecute the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over what it described as his consistent defence of terrorist activities in northern Nigeria.
The group’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, accused the cleric of offering “moral and propaganda support” to armed groups operating in the North-West, particularly those it identified as “largely Fulani terrorists.”
The group said Gumi’s public remarks over the years, including his calls for dialogue and amnesty for bandits, amount to an open endorsement of violence that has claimed thousands of lives across the region.
HURIWA criticised what it termed the Federal government’s selective application of counter-terrorism laws, contrasting Gumi’s freedom with the prolonged detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who has been held for a decade over his separatist campaign.
“It is morally wrong that the federal government continues to detain Kanu for advocating self-determination, while ignoring a Kaduna-based cleric who publicly campaigns for amnesty for mass murderers,” Onwubiko said in a statement.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate even-handedness in enforcing the law, reminding him that Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention) Act, first enacted in 2011 and amended in 2013 and 2022, prescribes the death penalty for certain terrorist offences.
HURIWA further stressed that while the law protects the right to free speech and peaceful protest, it does not shield individuals who promote or justify acts of terror.
Known for his outspoken advocacy of negotiations with armed bandits, the cleric has often argued that dialogue, rather than military force, is the only sustainable solution to banditry in the North.
His stance has divided public opinion, with some viewing him as a mediator seeking peace, and others accusing him of legitimising terrorism.
HURIWA’s latest demand reflects growing frustration among civil society groups over the government’s handling of insecurity in the region.
Technology company, Globacom, has launched “Glo Take A Guess”, an exciting Value-Added Service designed to entertain, engage, and reward its customers.
The company explained in a press statement that the innovative lottery service offered subscribers the opportunity to test their knowledge on a variety of lifestyle and topical issues in the society by answering trivia questions to win airtime, data and cash prizes.
Globacom added that customers who opt-in by dialling *20999*2# can select their preferred plan among daily, weekly and monthly options. They will thereafter receive SMS confirmation upon subscription with a URL to click and play the Trivia game.
“Customers stand a chance to win fantastic rewards, such as airtime, data and cash prizes when they provide correct answers to trivia questions covering diverse and engaging topics, under a fun-filled and interactive experience”, the statement added.
Interested customers are free to choose auto renew or one-time subscription, charged at N100 per day, N300 per week and N500 per month.
They also stand the chance of winning N10,000 in the daily game; N100,000 weekly and One Million Naira every month for monthly subscriptions. The more the customer plays the game, the higher his or her chances of winning in the different categories.
The company further disclosed that the fun game was designed for customers to test their knowledge while enjoying an entertaining experience. “The exciting rewards will also help to cushion the effects of rising living costs on our subscribers “, the digital solutions provider quipped.
Amid mass defections to President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC), politician and businessman, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, has officially resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party and joined the Peoples Democratic Party, describing the decision as “a strategic and patriotic step toward rebuilding Nigeria’s unity and hope.”
The announcement was made on Monday during a press briefing, where Ajadi formally submitted copies of his resignation letter to journalists, according to the Tribune.
In his letter addressed to the Ward Chairman, the NNPP Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government, the Ogun State NNPP Chairman, the NNPP Southwest Chairman, and the party’s National Chairman, Ajadi explained that the move followed deep reflection on Nigeria’s political trajectory and the need to operate within a broader platform capable of driving meaningful national transformation.
“My decision to join the Peoples Democratic Party is both strategic and patriotic.
I have great respect for the NNPP and what it stands for, but at this point in Nigeria’s history, I believe the PDP offers a wider and stronger platform for national reconciliation, youth empowerment, and true federalism,” Ajadi said.
Ajadi, who was the NNPP governorship candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 general elections after stepping down as a presidential aspirant in solidarity with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, emphasized that his departure was not driven by animosity but by conviction and renewed purpose.
He said: “There is no bad blood between me and my former party. I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served under its banner.
However, as Nigeria continues to grapple with economic hardship, unemployment, and leadership challenges, it is time for like-minded patriots to close ranks and rebuild trust in governance.”
Ajadi stressed the need for leaders who listen to the people and act selflessly, expressing confidence that his entry into the PDP would strengthen the party’s grassroots base and reawaken hope among ordinary Nigerians.
Reaffirming his commitment to national service, he pledged to work closely with PDP leaders at all levels to promote transparency, peace-building, and inclusive governance.
“This is not just about party politics. It is about rekindling the faith of Nigerians in democracy and ensuring that our people begin to feel the real dividends of good governance,” he added.
