BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE

The Rt. Rev’d Christian Ugwuzor, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Aba has enjoined Christians to be hopeful and rejoice, even in trying times, because the promise of the Lord, Jesus Christ is that joy will surely come in the morning.

According to him, in the world, Christians may have sorrow for a time, but joy everlasting would surely come. Thus, he urged believers not to panic or lose hope; because sooner or later, their sorrow would turn to joy.

The Bishop who preached on the topic, “The new life in Christ”, charged Christians to depend on God, so that all would be well with them. He asked them to pray and put their trust in God Almighty, to see them through the COVID-19 pandemic and grant them victory.

He observed that some believers are anxious about the current situation of COVID-19; he however encouraged them to cheer up, for sorrow would be shortlived, and joy would be everlasting. He declared to the congregation that their sorrow would turn to joy, and that suffering, sickness, and sorrow has an expiry date.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Aba noted that Jesus Christ came to bring joy to mankind. He said Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and a joy that passes all understanding. He described the joy as one that will bring glory to God, one that the world cannot give and one that can never be taken away from them.

The cleric assured that the power of the living Lord is available to solve problems, give joy and destroy all forces rising up against the people of God. He therefore called on the congregation to make their needs known to God through prayer, supplication and thanksgiving.