When people talk about hard times, what they are saying is, mostly, financial shortfall. And this is when your income is insufficient to settle your bills and meet your needs.

Money is a powerful tool in the hands of those who have it. Haven’t you seen a fool that wise men bow to simply because he has financial control.

I have discovered that having much does not guarantee immunity against hard times.  Having much money today, which you are not sure of having access to getting more of  means you will soon face hard times. Riches in the hands of people with terminal diseases, sickness or affliction indicate hard times. If you have money and your movement is restricted, then you are facing a hard time. A typical example is what Nigeria Labour Congress put the citizens through from 9th to 16th January, 2012.

Wealthy parents with irresponsible children or those who  had no control over their desires will definitely face hard times before they die.  Or if death comes suddenly, the family would face hard times.

With forgoing explanations, I want to believe that hard times are part of life.

What you experience at this period will bring out the best in you, if only you take it as part of what you are meant to go through for the best of you to come. If only you can take it as a test of life for your progress, then, you will enjoy the good fruits therein.

Without a test, there is no promotion. Difficult and unpleasant occasions occur when an individual, couple or a nation is working to bring about a desired change.

Change is mostly to bring out something better.

In the school of success, which is the desire of many, I have learnt there is no free launch. You pay the price before you can enjoy. More so, change is constant. Therefore, one can say that hard times and change move together. I can also say that there are no changes without being hard-up, when money, clothing or shelter is your problem.

For instance, a politician who wants to win more votes in the next election, will not be talking of money; all he needs to do is to meet more people, put up a strategy to defeat his/her opponent. The efforts he/she will put in will task his health, concentration, patience and endurance. What more hard time can someone put up with?

I want to say that people without focus in life will complain and want to resist hard times. They want things to continue the way they are; that is, no rocking of the boat.

The No Future Ambitions, (N.F.As) of this world will resist change. They will resist it out of ignorance. People who are short sighted fight change most of the time.

It is time for every couple to go back to the drawing board in Nigeria. Living in the past will bring you to frustration and backwardness. It is a fact that when you slip or fall in the race of life, people pass you by, facing their goals and destiny. Nobody will look back to check on you. They make new friends at their new destination.

This brings me to the conclusion that what is seen as a hard time is strictly dependent on an individual’s perception or experience. The moment you are generalizing, you are yet to face the reality of life. Nations can come into the phase of hard times just as individuals, even in business. Whichever one you are confronting, the outcome depends on you.

Life is in phases while men are in sizes. What phase of growth is your life, marriage, business or your country? What level of life are you? You have to truthfully answer these questions.

People at the peak of life have nothing to do with hard times. Such individuals only need to be innovative in their business or career. Experiences they have gathered will show them what to do and you will see them flying higher.

Analyse your phase of life, set a goal and pursue it. This will help you not to feel you are backward in life, for the reward of your chosen goal will put spring on your feet and move you forward, just as you become blind to oppositions.

I will like to add here that God must be your topmost ally. Let him know you are relying on HIM to embark on this glorious journey to a life of fulfillment in HIS grace. For unless the LORD builds the house, those who try to build it labour in vain. Financial buoyancy in pleasure is your portion.