BRACE UP FOR THE BEST

By Bishop Joe Idem

This is yet another opportunity to reflect on the onerous task of totally transforming Akwa Ibom State. I must acknowledge that God is inspiring Pastor Umo Eno to do a great work for the State. Let me join millions of his fans and well-wishers to celebrate him at his 61st birthday. I salute his foresight, resilience and a godly heart of compassion in his service to the State.

His vision as detailed out in the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration aims for the very best for all of us in this great State. Akwa Ibom and her great people must reflect deeply at the gifts of God to us in Pastor Umo Eno, the beautiful landscape and the rich vegetation and large uncultivated agrarian lands for agriculture.
Besides, we are abundantly blessed with natural resources in oil and gas, dense forest reserve and excellent weather condition favourable for cultivation in all seasons of the year. Akwa Ibom is well endowed with talented young people, innovative entrepreneurs and seasoned administrators.
God deserves all accolades for his immense benevolence to us.

However, no matter how rich our natural endowments are, God will use a man to translate these resources for sustainable prosperity. Just as he chose Pastor Umo Eno, our seasoned leader and Governor, he can also use you to do mighty things in your own capacity.
It’s indeed a tough time globally and so whoever drives an economy in the right direction at this time should be applauded. You can be the next person to receive a public acclaim for solving some problems of humanity. All you need is to brace up for the best! This implies that you must prepare yourself for a positive outcome even in a challenging situation.

Like winter winds, tough times will always come. To mitigate the negative impact of tough times is to brace up, put on a positive mental strength and spiritual stamina to withstand a bad economic weather. Be prepared to face whatever challenging times may come so you can surf tough waves of life and emerge as a celebrated champion. Constance Roberts said: “Brace up for the worst, hope for the best.”
Brace up for the best! Don’t run away from challenges; embrace them with a positive mindset that can help you turn challenges into wings that can airlift you up to the next level of your life.

Bishop & Rev. Mrs. Joe Idem

How do you brace up for the best in life? Your spiritual and mental preparations are your most important arsenal to take on challenges times. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.” Paul charged the Colossians church (Colossians 3:16).
Develop strong emotional strength to withstand discouragement. The greatest enemy of pressing forward into a bright new season is discouragement.

Don’t hang around people who talk down your vision. Good mentors are life lifters, so get closer to leaders you know have been through even worst situations and are excelling today. Learn from their challenges, and you will gain strength to press on towards your goal.
The governor, Pastor Umo Eno is a near illustration. He was looked down on, despised and was not given any chance of success. But today, those who despised him are celebrating him.

Just last week, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We were reminded that Easter is not just a time of reflection but also a season of new beginnings – a period to renew our faith, revitalize our spirits and recharge for the challenges ahead. So, let the lesson of Easter infuse some doses of strength into your entire life.

Easter reminds us to hold on to hope and the promise of God for our lives: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The above promise should encourage you to brace up for the best in your life. Drawing inspiration from the resurrection of Christ, I pray for you that the joy, peace, and love that emanate from the empty tomb fill your hearts and homes. Amen!

Brace Up With
Self-discipline
You cannot actually brace up to change the old narrative to a new and better stories of victories over sin, failed goals and indolence if you don’t apply one of the most important steps to conquer self. Plato said: “The first and best victory is to conquer self.” Paul, an exemplary leader explained why we must conquer self. “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize,” 1 Cor 9:26-27.

This is a very powerful self-discipline model that anyone who is bracing up for the best in life must understand and internalized in his or her daily living. Paul didn’t blame anyone, not even the devil or monitoring agent, he saw his body, the flesh as the enemy that he must strike a blow on to subdue it.
Many future champions with great talents for global impact, have lost out for not conquering self.
Brent Gleeson stated that you can gain the willpower to live a happier, more fulfilling life with self-discipline.

Know your strengths and weaknesses.
We all have weaknesses. Whether they’re the desire for alcohol, intimacy with opposite sex, tobacco, unhealthy food, obsession over social media, or the video game; they have a similar effect on us. Gleeson acknowledged that having identified these weaknesses, “Now, I strive to tackle them head-on.” Remember Paul? He said he gives a hard blow to his body and make it a slave he can control, and not a master to control him. So, the weaknesses you have identified, don’t stop there, crush them down.

Also, temptations can alter your determination for self-discipline. In leadership, it is advisable to remove objects of temptations far from you. For instance, if you’re weak towards the opposite sex, never you be alone with someone who is not your spouse, you’ll be tempted.
Like the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” It may seem silly, but this cliche offers powerful advice. Gleeson advised: “By simply removing the biggest temptations from your environment, you will greatly improve your self-discipline.”