A few days ago, I posted a question in my “Life Study Group”. It’s a WhatsApp Group where we talk about issues of life, God and many other things. Here is the question. “Two people were facing challenges in their place of work. The first person took to the mountain for Prayers and Fasting; the second person sat back to analyze what led to the problem and seek relevant information and knowledge”.
I asked the question at 8:07 AM and the first person to respond to the question responded, at 8:25 AM saying; “We have different backgrounds and upbringing. As Believers, we need to have personal encounters with God and constant fellowship with our Father God. You should know that we are a work in progress too. God will instruct and direct you if you have constant fellowship with Him.”
The second person to respond to the question responded, 8:29 AM saying, “In this scenario, we have two distinct approaches to problem-solving:
The First Person (Prayers and Fasting)
The first person chose to retreat to the mountain for prayers and fasting. This approach is rooted in faith and spirituality. By seeking divine intervention, they hope to find solutions to their challenges.
Strengths
Emotional Comfort: Praying and Fasting can provide emotional comfort and a sense of purpose. It allows the person to surrender their worries to a higher power.
Hope and Belief: Faith can be a powerful motivator. Believing that a higher force will intervene can boost morale and determination.
Limitations
Lack of Practical Action: While spiritual practices are essential, they may not directly address the practical aspects of the problem.
Dependency on External Factors: The resolution depends on external forces (divine intervention) rather than personal agency.
The Second Person (Analyzing and Seeking Knowledge):
The second person opted for a more analytical approach. They sat back to analyze the root causes of the problem and actively sought relevant information and knowledge.
Strengths:
Critical Thinking: Analyzing the problem allows for a deeper understanding. Identifying root causes helps in formulating effective solutions.
Proactive Learning: Seeking knowledge demonstrates a willingness to learn and adapt. It empowers the person to take control of their situation.
Action-Oriented: This approach involves practical steps toward resolution.
Limitations:
Time-Consuming: Analyzing and gathering information may take time.
Lack of Emotional Comfort: Unlike prayer, this approach may not provide immediate emotional solace.
My Verdict:
The second person’s decision to analyze the problem and seek knowledge is likely the better approach for several reasons:
Empowerment: By actively seeking information, the second person takes charge of their situation. They are not solely reliant on external factors.
Practical Solutions: Analyzing root causes allows for targeted solutions. Practical actions are more likely to lead to resolution.
Adaptability: Knowledge-seeking fosters adaptability. The person can adjust their approach based on new insights.
Balancing Faith and Reason: While spirituality has its place, combining it with practical analysis provides a holistic approach.
In summary, while both approaches have merit, the second person’s decision aligns better with problem-solving principles and personal agency.
The third person to respond to the question responded, at 2:54 PM saying; “The 2nd person will surely get an answer faster. He used the wisdom that God gave him to know there was a problem, analyze the problem and seek a solution to the problem. God bless us all.”
Out of One Hundred and one people, only three people answered the question. One Man and two Ladies. The remaining ninety-eight people have no answer to the question. The three of them are parents. And something was very striking in their answers. The Man’s answer is very religious and to the best of my knowledge, very tatamis to failure. My Grandmother used to say that anything you completely left to God to handle for you is bound to fail. Not because God wants it to fail but because you have failed to put to work the God’s ability God had given you to work.
Their response Is also a confirmation that Ladies are far more deep thinkers than Men. And they are a better manager in all aspects of life including money than Men. But the majority of us Men will not accept this fact because of our egos.
I waited till 8:10 PM to respond to the question. I did that hoping someone else would say something but no one did. So I said; “I asked this question in the morning and the majority of us systematically avoided answering the question except three of us. I’m so thankful for your answers.
They all hit it on the Nail, and truly we all need to go beyond deceiving ourselves. I once told a Pastor friend that the reason why God gave us the Holy Spirit was because the Brain He first gave us we failed to use it appropriately. We’d rather use it to think and plan anything unworthy than use the same Brain to think and produce something worthy of emulation.
The same Brain the fraudsters and armed robbers are using to plan their trades is the same Brain they need to produce something crime-free. But they would rather use the Brains of some criminal and then use their mouths to pray for forgiveness.
If everyone can put their brains to work, some of the life challenges we are facing will be drastically reduced. Ignorance is the reason why many people are suffering financially. Based on personal studies, if someone has enough money to take care of his or her needs, the person’s problems are 99.9% solved. If the person can maintain living a healthy lifestyle, trust me, his or her problems are 100% solved.
Some of our spiritual challenges are based on ignorance of who we are and delusional of whom we’re not. And these are the things so many religious people are feeding fat on. Even among us here, how many of us can boldly say that this is who I am spiritually?
Now I’m not talking of being Born Again and Speaking in Tongues. No. I’m talking of your spiritual capabilities, your real make-up. I’m sure not many of us know what that means. Meanwhile, we’re all first created spiritually before we were formed physically it’s all in our Bible and Quran.
We suffer physically when our spiritual nature is weak. It cannot die it can only get weak. And this is the aspect you need to be careful with prayers and people that pray that a particular spirit should die. That’s foolishness. Spirit doesn’t die. Spirit possessed and manifest. But the spirits that are possessed and manifest are not of the same nature as the spirits we have as humans.
We don’t strengthen our spiritual nature by just praying, fasting and reading the words; those are elementary levels of being spiritually equipped. We strengthen our spiritual nature by having constant relationship and fellowship with God and this has nothing to do with praying, fasting and reading the Bible or Quran. Instead, it has to do with knowing who you are, how God relates to you and being free of religion to freely express yourself to God just as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and many other people did. David was the worst criminal I’ve ever seen and yet he was God’s friend. Have we asked ourselves why or how?
In Ephesians 6:10-18 Apostle Paul said; “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
Again, we still cannot get to a point of knowing who we are spiritual if we keep neglecting the superlative power of our minds and hearts. God did not give us these for decorations or for Satan, Devils and Demons to play with. If you are spiritually mature, you understand that these are instruments God had put in place for you to rule and reign in life. But because our hearts and minds are dour we will rather fear them than use them for our good. Satan, Devils or Demons are not your problems, you are your problem and your problem is hanging on the ignorance of who you truly are.
If we can keep our hearts and renew our minds as we were taught, some of the things we run away from or run after will naturally respond to our good without any stress of any kind. Without proper functioning of our hearts and minds, our Brian will remain dormant and we will continue to suffer endlessly for nothing”.
In Job 38:36 God was asking Job very critical questions saying; “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?” What does this suggest to us? For me, it means that God had deposited wisdom in the mind of every human being and understanding to every human heart.” But should in case anyone lack wisdom, God made provision in James 1:5-8 through the teaching of Apostle James saying; “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
King Solomon was a perfect example of what Apostle James said. In 1 Kings 3:7-14 King Solomon said, “Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who can govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both riches and honour — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
In 1 Kings 4:29-34 the wisdom God gave King Solomon became evidence to all. It was clearly stated that “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite — wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom”.
The reason why the majority of us have not been doing so well in life is that we live a prayer and fasting life with zero wisdom. We lack wisdom in its entirety. Our lives are just religions and all the foolishness that comes with it. To us, it is an act of worship or service to God, but to God, it’s a waste of resources. Regretting forever creates us.
Scientifically it was said that the human heart is a vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removing waste products. It is located in the chest, slightly to the left of the centre of the chest cavity. The heart is made up of four chambers: the left and right atria, and the left and right ventricles. It is a muscular organ that contracts and relaxes rhythmically to maintain circulation. The heart is essential for sustaining life and is a key focus in medical research and treatment. But in the real sense of life, the human heart is a vital organ that pumps life into our everyday and future when wisdom has its place in our hearts.
The creation of human beings and the human heart is a topic that is often discussed in religious and philosophical contexts. Different religious traditions have their own beliefs and interpretations about how human beings and their hearts were created. In many religious traditions, the creation of human beings and their hearts is seen as a divine act, attributed to a higher power or deity.
For example, in the Christian tradition, the creation of human beings and their hearts is described in the book of Genesis in the Bible, where it is written that God created humans in his image and breathed life into them. The heart is often seen as the centre of emotions, thoughts, and intentions, and is considered to be a reflection of the divine nature within each person. This is the very reason why it was said in Prov 4:23; “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”.
Everything about your life and future begins with your heart. And it’s not just the Christians that believe this, even the Islamic tradition believes the same and made it clear that the creation of human beings and their hearts is also attributed to the divine will of Allah, who is believed to have created humans with a pure and sincere heart as a reflection of their spiritual nature.
The same belief Is exhibited in Hinduism, the creation of human beings and their hearts described in various mythological texts, where the heart is seen as the seat of the soul and the source of consciousness.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other religious and cultural beliefs about the creation of human beings and their hearts. It’s important to note that these beliefs are based on faith and may vary widely among different religious and cultural traditions.
The human heart, both In the literal and metaphorical sense, can be deep and complex when it comes to solving problems. In a literal sense, the human heart is a complex organ that plays a vital role in sustaining life. It is involved in the circulation of blood, the regulation of blood pressure, and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues. Understanding and treating heart-related health issues can be a complex and challenging endeavour for medical professionals.
Metaphorically, the human heart is often associated with emotions, empathy, and moral reasoning. When it comes to solving problems related to human relationships, ethical dilemmas, or societal issues, the human heart can be deep and complex. People’s emotions, values, and personal experiences can greatly influence their perspectives and decision-making processes, adding layers of complexity to problem-solving.
Furthermore, the human heart is often seen as the seat of compassion, empathy, and understanding. When approaching complex problems that involve human suffering, social injustice, or ethical considerations, the depth of the human heart can play a significant role in guiding individuals and communities toward solutions that are rooted in empathy and compassion.
In summary, the human heart, both in its physical and metaphorical dimensions, can be deep and complex when it comes to solving problems, encompassing physiological intricacies as well as emotional and ethical considerations.
The human brain Is incredibly complex when it comes to problem-solving. It can process and analyze vast amounts of information, make connections between different pieces of information, and generate creative solutions to problems. The brain’s capacity for problem-solving is influenced by a wide range of factors, including cognitive abilities, knowledge and experience, emotional and motivational factors, and the brain’s ability to adapt and learn from new situations. Overall, the human brain’s complexity and adaptability make it a powerful problem-solving tool.
According to religious beliefs, many people believe that God created the human brain with the capacity for problem-solving as part of His design for human beings. The ability to think critically, reason, and solve problems is often seen as a reflection of the divine intelligence and purpose behind human creation. From this perspective, the human brain is considered a remarkable and intricate creation that enables individuals to navigate the challenges of life and contribute to the world in meaningful ways. This belief can provide a sense of purpose and meaning to the human capacity for problem-solving.
I leave you with the words of God to Moses in Exodus 31:1-11 which says; “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle — the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base — the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”
To every human being on the earth, the Lord God of heaven had given Hisallo. He had filled us all with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, that is why He said in Genesis 11:6, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” Nothing, absolute nothing is impossible if only we can put our heart and mind into it and be with people or someone with the same belief. We can get much more in life if we put our hearts, minds and brains to work. Prayer and Fasting cannot provide answers to everything.
Sam Adeoye