By Emeka Odogwu
The Chaplain to the Bishop on the Niger, Rev. Canon Ugochukwu Ogunoegbunam has urged Christians to strengthen their faith in God and remain steadfast during difficult circumstances.
They were also reminded that life’s challenges are inevitable but could only be overcome through trust in God and adherence to biblical teachings.
Rev Canon Ogunoegbunam gave the advice while preaching during the weekly solemn service at Calvary Chapel, GRA, Onitsha, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Preaching on the theme, “Only Faith Can Carry You through Storms of Life,” the cleric drew inspiration from Acts of the Apostles 27:18-25, which recounts the storm encountered by Apostle Paul and other passengers on their journey to Rome.
He explained that storms represent unpleasant situations, unexpected difficulties and burdens that everyone encounters in the course of life, including committed Christians.
The preacher noted that even Jesus Christ encountered storms during His earthly ministry, stressing that believers should not interpret every difficulty as evidence of God’s absence.
According to him, rather than praying only for challenges to disappear, Christians should also ask God for the faith, patience and spiritual discernment needed to overcome them.
Canon Ogunoegbunam cautioned believers against taking hasty decisions or blindly following human advice when confronted with difficulties.
He advised them to evaluate every counsel in the light of the Scripture, warning that advice contrary to God’s Word could lead to greater problems.
The Rev Canon emphasised that the effectiveness of faith did not depend on its size but on the reliability of God, citing Jesus Christ’s teaching about faith as small as a mustard seed and David’s victory over Goliath.
The preacher further encouraged Christians to cultivate the habit of reading the Bible from childhood, describing the Scripture as an essential foundation for spiritual growth and steadfastness.
He observed that regular engagement with God’s Word strengthens believers’ faith and helps them recognise God’s presence even in the most difficult circumstances.
Canon Ogunoegbunam urged Christians to trust God in every situation, remain conscious of His presence and allow their faith to guide them through life’s storms.
