The road to heaven, according to the Bible, is narrow. The narrowness is not a physical one; rather, it is a representation of the challenges, disappointment, trials and persecutions one has to face in the race to eternal life. In all ramifications, the experience is not an easy one, but we have to bear in mind that when the going gets tough, only the strong and determined get going. Heavenly race is not a bed of roses or a journey for the carefree and feeble-minded individuals who will fall by the wayside at the slightest provocation from the enemy. It is with hard work, fear of God, trembling and tribulations that the righteous would enter heaven. This is why 2 Timothy 3:10-12 says: “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience. 11: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all, the Lord delivered me. 12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 
 
The enemy is currently at work, doing everything possible to prevent man from entering heaven. The enemy in some cases has inflicted God’s children with all kinds of deadly and terminal diseases, killing their loved ones, making them poor through the liquidation of their businesses, causing untimely retrenchment from work and preventing people from rending help to them. These are strategies to make God’s children to think that God has forgotten them. Trials and temptations are bound to come to every man. This is the lot of everyone on earth, but how one manages his own trials and temptations will determine his victory or failure.
  
In the lead scripture the Bible says that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. As Christians, we are fully dependent on God who fights our battles and gives us victory. Fortunately, God has directed all His children to call upon Him in the day of trouble and He will answer them to glorify His name.
 
Our God is ever present to offer help in times of trouble and if He is with us nobody or forces can work against us. Going down memory lane, the Israelites were faced with intimidations and the killing of their new born baby boys, forced labour and all kinds of inhuman treatments in Egypt, but when they cried to God for help, He came down and delivered them from their oppressors and also brought them out of Egypt.
  
Again, in their journey to the Promised Land, the Egyptians pursued them and there were the Red Sea in front of them and the impenetrable mountains on both sides. At that situation the only solution was to call on God for intervention. In His miraculous approach to human problems, God divided the Red Sea into two and the Israelites passed on dry ground to the other side of the sea.
  
The Egyptian army who followed to attack them, were all drowned, as the parted sea merged again. This was a divine deliverance.The God of yesteryears is still the God of today and will continue to save the people who trust and call upon Him. Challenges are bound to come to every Christian, but God is there to help us out.
 
1Thessalonians 3:3-5 says: “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4: For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5: For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter has tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” Trial and tribulations are part of the Christian faith; they are designed to strengthen ones’ faith and also to bring Christians closer to God. No matter the circumstances, no Christian should allow trials to draw him away from the love and service of God.

temptations are for our good because they are meant to strengthen our faith. It is when difficulties abound that many Christians engage in fervent prayers, fasting and even keep vigils. It is when we seek the face of God that our problems are given divine attention. Problems should not for any reason make us lose faith in God. The Bible asks in Romans 8:35-39: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36: As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. 39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Devil is employing different strategies to weaken Christians and draw them away from God. It is good to be aware of the Devil’s antics, so, you can stand and be firm to serve God. Every Christian should understand that the Devil’s plan is to prevent men from entering heaven; he want them to dwell with him in hell hereafter.
  
Hosea 5:15 says: “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” God allows challenges because it causes the people to draw closer to Him and seek His face for solutions. It is also understandable that when we are on fire for God, preaching the gospel, God will be happy and rise for us. Whenever a soul repents, the heavenly hosts rejoice over it. The person who won the soul into God’s kingdom will be mightily blessed. Therefore, whenever you are faced with any challenge, go out and preach the gospel and God will help you overcome the challenges in Jesus’ name.