I’ve been hearing about Jos, Nigeria in the last few days. Most parts of the country are not experiencing this turmoil – Nigeria is huge – but it is heartbreaking nonetheless. People in the city of Jos are being brutally killed and forced to flee their homes, in the name of religion (and more). I don’t know anyone who lives anywhere near Jos. But I cried bitterly when I found out more details about this tragedy yesterday evening. I felt so helpless. So discouraged. God, What are you doing? – My heart cried out. How long? From all that I had heard in the past – Jos was such a peaceful, calm and beautiful city. People from all walks of life, varying religious beliefs, lived together in peace. What happened to Jos? How did it come to this?
My little guys heard me crying and tried to make me feel better. “Don’t worry Mummy, don’t cry! It’s gonna be fine Mom!” I was so touched when they started singing:
“O Seun o Baba…O se o, Jesu… Kinni ma fi san ore re, Bi o ti po to laiye mi… Egberun ahan ko ma to fun yin re…Ese o Jesu”!!
Translation: “Thank you Father, Thank you Jesus… How can I ever repay you, for your amazing goodness in my life… Thousands of tongues would not be enough to praise you…”
The kids know that an easy way to impress me is to say or sing something in Yoruba, and their singing did make me smile:)! And singing the song along with them just made me think too – It is so much easier to be thankful, and to praise God when most things in our lives are going well. We say – God is good!! Thank you Lord for your goodness! And yes, He is good. But how about when it seems like everything is beyond crazy? When things seem to be out of control, and you don’t know what “normal” means anymore? I cannot just imagine what the people affected in Jos must be going through. What questions must run through their minds.
And then this song came to mind, by Philips, Craig & Dean… here’s the chorus:
“You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone”
Through my tears, through my questions, the song kept playing over and over in my head. Yes. God is still God. He is still the same God in the good and in the bad. The same God who has shown us again and again that he cares so much about us. The same God we know never sleeps, never slumbers. He is still on the throne…
Please pray for the people of Jos, and indeed, everyone that feels like their life has been turned upside down for whatever reason – wars, death, seemingly unanswered prayers, or anything at all…. Please pray for peace, comfort, strength and hope. Please pray that people do not lose their faith in God in the midst of their turmoil and confusion. That they feel the arms of God wrapped around them, and the presence of God strongly in their lives. And please pray that this madness in Jos will stop for good. Pray for God to heal the land! It’s always heartbreaking to hear about earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes and the like. We still haven’t recovered from all the happenings in Haiti, Chile, etc. But people killing others in the name of religion?? That’s just crazy!
I also remember the following scripture:
Habakkuk 3:19 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Amen!!! I pray we always remember that God is always God. He is a God that deserves to be praised, even when things are not going well, even when we have questions. I pray that we will always find our joy, strength, and healing in God – even when it seems like everything has failed us.
Have you or anyone you know been affected by the crisis in Jos? Or have you (or someone you know) ever felt like your life has been turned upside down eg by Iraq, Haiti, Chile, or By Personal Events? How do you cope? Do you have any encouraging scriptures or songs or words to share?
And does anyone know how to help with the current situation in Jos???
Please share your thoughts, whatever they are…Thanks!
Much Love & Blessings,
Bomi Jolly
Don’t go yet:)! I think you’ll also enjoy:
- Good Morning My Neighbors!
- Foolish Words
- Big Bummed?
Bomi, your words are always so full of wisdom and hope. I have been praying about the situation in Jos too – I went to school at Hillcrest in 1968 and I know a young man who is teaching there now. I heard a song this morning too that reminded me that God is in control – the line says that we can have hope, even when the sky is falling. Thanks for the reminder that God is good ALL the time, even when He seems to be far away.
Blessings to you today!! Love, Jane
and yet again this one brings tears to my eyes and i dont seem to be able to hold them back. very timely words. the words “God what are you doing” dropped out of my mouth yesterday when something we had been trusting God for in our family seemed to take another turn and my husband and i were left wondering where God was when the whole thing was happening and as i lay down to ponder, words of encouragement came, light flooded my soul as i remembered these words: and we know that ALL things work for good for them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose(Rom 8:28) and many more like that. even when it looks like things are turning upside down, lets look UP cos we have an ANCHOR. one who is stedfast and sure, one who we can trust to tide us through the storms. He may not save us from the storms but i guarantee that He’ll help us through them……an EVER-PRESENT help in the time of need.
Thanks Bomi. Im blessed yet again
Bomi, i couldnt help but say you’re so gifted. just been thinking over some of our Jolly notes and how the lessons come wrapped in some really Jolly wraps but with very powerful meaning. ah….. God bless you for what you’re doing.
May He find you more useful with each passing day to keep being a blessing to His body.
ose gan
lotsaluv & jolly blessings
Great words. Your kids are sure a blessing to you and I’m sure to their generation and generations yet unborn
@Jane – Thanks so much for your very kind words! We will keep praying and hoping for the best. I really hope your friend is ok! Thanks Jane – I love that – We can have hope “even when the sky is falling”…. What could be worse than that right? Love & Blessings to you too!
@Nnenna – You and me both!! The tears flowed while I was writing too…. I guess they are good tears though:).. It is well… Thanks a lot for sharing your experience as well as those very encouraging words. It is well!!
@Cee-y – Thank you very much Cee-y! Amen…
You took the words right out of my mouth Bomi: The Jos I knew was a verrrrry peaceful place, with the coolest weather in Nigeria . I can’t relate with its recent development. Unlike you, I have been in denial and have refused to face the reality. Nigeria is in a fix with these brutal, meaningless religious crisis and retaliations. Jos needs a spiritual cleaning that can ONLY be found at the feet of Jesus.
On another note, my little inlaw can speak Yoruba ke?! *beaming from cheek to cheek* Splendid!
you are indeed a blessing Bomi
Bomi…it made me really upset too. There has to be a long lasting solution to this cruelty against fellow humans. The government and credible religious leaders need to step up and bring an end to this madness. They say its not a religious war, but I know Southerners love life and will not be fast to initiate killings (either Christians or Muslims). I pray that peace will once again return to our Nation!
@Nneka – I know! It used to be sooo peaceful and pretty, a popular retirement location with its lovely cool weather! Really sad that it’s come to this!! I really look forward to a complete turnaround! & Yes!! We’re working hard on the Yoruba…lol!
@Bunmi – Thank you so very much!! God bless you…!
@Mayo – I know exactly what you mean, and I completely agree…Amen and Amen to peace!! Amen! Thanks Mayo!
Hmm Jos, my elder sister went to Uni Jos and when I visited her then, it was such a beautiful and peaceful place, but after my unit leader’s only son was killed in one of the riots, the city lost its beauty and peace to me, it has caused alot of families to weep and some are still weeping.
OLord, console every broken heart and restore peace, love and unity to Jos and to Nigeria as a Nation, amen.
Hmm Jos, my elder sister went to Uni Jos and when I visited her then, it was such a beautiful and peaceful place, but after my unit leader’s only son was killed in one of the riots, the city lost its beauty and peace to me, it has caused alot of families to weep and some are still weeping.
O Lord, console every broken heart and restore peace, love and unity to Jos and to Nigeria as a Nation, amen.
This is such a blessing to me. Thank you very much.
Bomi, I am from Jos, and in January my parents had to leave home for a few days. And these reprisal attacks are the worst we have seen in years! Our hearts are so heavy…we are tired…we are weak…our hearts are faint.
But there is so much comfort in knowing we have a God who creates a matrix of loving kindness for us to be real with Him and ask him “God, Why?” and “God, what are you doing?”
For too long we have shied away from the Lament Psalms, those Biblical words that express the deepest emotions, and bring us to places where our relationship with God is as intimate as it gets. The balance of despair and hope, and the ability to name our pain and bring it to God has been freeing for me.
Delve deep in the Psalms…the list is endless, but here are a few I have found: Psalm 10, 13, 44, 54,55,60, 61, 74, 77, 88, 94
I’m (almost) at loss for words…I read this with teary eyes. I never felt the sorrow this bad till I saw the gory pictures some minutes ago.
Its really really sad how inhuman people can be. In the name of what? Religion?
The best I can do right now is to pray for the people of Jos and hope our government will react appropriately for justice to prevail and peace to reign.
God bless Nigeria
@Tayo – That is so sad to hear that your unit’s leader’s only son was killed in a riot! That is so sad. Jos seems so far away but somehow we find that we are all connected to this somehow, whether or not we realize it. “O Lord, console every broken heart and restore peace, love and unity to Jos and to Nigeria as a Nation, amen.” – Amen Tayo…Amen!
@Titi – Thanks a lot Titi!! It is well!
@John – Thanks a lot for sharing that John, it is very much appreciated! I really hope your parents are ok! You are so right, how comforting it is to have a Father we can be real with… We can express our deepest feelings ad emotions freely. Thanks so much for sharing those words as well as those useful scriptures!
@Hexy – I am totally with you on that hope and prayer… This is not religion…don’t know exactly what to call it! Thanks Hexy..
Hmmm… it is well. I have been grappling with a situation, believing God for something that everyone convinced me would be quite easy to get, but nothing seemed to be happening. Last weekend I told my hubby that I was taking a break from God, cos I felt like we were not communicating. He convinced me to go to church, but I sat through praise worship; I just felt so sad and unhappy. And then it was time for the monthly thanksgiving (1st Sunday – Daystar Christian Centre), and suddenly I found myself singing and dancing. One song in particular resonated in my spirit – that God remains God. And I was reminded to keep trusting in Him, and thanking Him through & in all situations.
And we should keep praying for Jos.
SIGH!!! God help us. I pray for peace in times of turmoil and trouble.
War, rumors of war, earthquakes, Automobile accidents, Cancer………sigh and many more depending on who u talk to.
GOD We Need Your Visitation.
Reading this article and all the comments above has filled me with so much peace, courage and encouragement. Thanks for sharing. Thank you very very much.
@Tola – Thanks so much for sharing that experience! What a great reminder of how much joy we find in God’s presence… with hearts of thanksgiving and praise… Thanks Tola! It is well!!
@Yemi – Amen!! It is well o…. Thank you Yemi!!
@Abi – I’m so so glad to hear that. The situation is sad but it is wonderful to know that we are all finding hope and encouragement. God is still on the throne. Thanks Abi…
“You are God alone
From before time began
You are on the throne
You are God alone
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable….”
Yes, that’s who God is. Blessings to you!
Thanks for this. May God continue to give you the words to bless others.
Thanks for these words of encouragement, it shall be well with Nigeria again!
we seriously need God, Nigeria needs God. the country is sick &seriously need God’s touch &His healing if only we wld allow Him….10x Bomi 4 dis article. Prayers &thots 2d pple of Jos. May God grant d families of d victims d fortitude to bear d loss.
regards 2d kids.
@Brenda – Yes… that’s who he is! Unshakable, Unchangeable, Unstoppable.. !! That’s who he is. He is still God!
@Jessica, Izebhoke & Akindele – Thanks a lot for taking the time to read and comment. Amen to all your prayers!!
@Everyone – We will definitely keep praying, I strongly believe in the power of prayer. But if anyone knows any other ways to help – please share!! Thank you very much once again!
Bomi, I know the city of Jos, i served in that city a couple of years ago.
It used to be a peaceful city with a wonderful weather and very nice people, very content people.
For people to wake up and decide to start killing them, I know they will not go unpunished. God will arise.
For people who have lost loved ones, who are afraid of falling asleep, who are too weak to fight, I know the Holy Spirit comfort them somehow and give them the grace to continue living.
God is God and He still rules in the affairs of men.
my sister,u can’t imagine the rate at which people are fleeing the place now.It is very very terrible nad they are planning retaliation in nearby states.D last crisis dat occured last month spread to bauchi (just one hour away from jos) and outskirts of kano. Already there is tension in Kano(where i reside) as tomorrow is Friday and most crises here occur on Fridays when they finish their Jumma prayers,u see multitudes gathered together and so easier to plan attacks or crises.We need prayers desperately in the north.God is on the throne.
Hmm,what shall we say to these things?..except to pray for the resose of the souls of those lives dat were lost and pray that God will intervene speedily in this matter. Its a truly heart-rending charade!
@Bomi:well spoken words of wisdom.we continue to pray!
@Jibola – I know exactly what you mean! Never been there myself but those are the things I heard about Jos too… calm, peaceful, retirement friendly, great weather, wonderful people, beautiful city, etc…
“For people who have lost loved ones, who are afraid of falling asleep, who are too weak to fight, I know the Holy Spirit comfort them somehow and give them the grace to continue living….God is God and He still rules in the affairs of men.” … AMEN to that Jibola…Amen!!!
@Toyin – We are certainly praying along with you sis!! We are praying along and we will keep checking on you. It’s Friday today – I hope everything is ok!!!
@Adaku – Thanks so much! Praying along and saying Amen to your prayers…Amen. Our God hears…
The Lords peace stills every troubled heart, every troubled soul and will still the brewing storms in our Land! Amen!
thanks Jolly, I have friends that lost friends.
the world is in a mess not because God is not in control but that some folks are under the control of the evil one. we are not ignorant of his ways. thank God that Jesus made it plain that these times will come.
O death, where is your sting?
i pray that God will raise people that will yield to His power,wisdom and direction in solving the jos problem and in bringing a lasting change to Nigeria. if we turn away from Him because of our troubles, what other alternative do we have? He is God when we are sad, and when happy, and i know He will come through for us if we diligently seek Him and turn from our wicked ways.
@Tomi, Femme – Thanks so much! Amen and Amen! I am echoing those hopes and prayers right along with you. He is always God – through the good, the bad, the ups, the downs, the happy, the sad. And he will come through for us. Thank you..
@O. Nelson – So sorry to hear about your friend’s losses. Even if we don’t know anyone that was personally affected, we find that we are all connected to this somehow. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it! It is well…
finally accessed ds page. To be honest wt u,wen i heard abt d Jos,i jst listened lyk i ws bin gisted. Lyk wot i jst read awakened my spirit. Am probably used 2 ds unpleasant stories dt dy jst want 2 av any effect on any longer. It alwz lyk deres neva a gud story. We av our personal problem now compounded wt d burden of others. Al u jst want 2 do is block ur ears 2 d sad stories & face ur lyf bt i realise wer meant 2b our brothers keepers bt nothin seems 2b workin. Lyk devil is takin ful control. Alwz 4m 1 calamity 2 d oda. God help us o. I think d final days are drawin nigh….we jst av 2b careful cos d bell myt sound at anytym bt wyl wer stil ard n d bell hasnt sounded,we shld mov closer 2 God. Keep doin wot u do becos on dat day,we shall giv an account wt wot we did on our facebook account whether we used it to touch odas lyf lyk ur doin or whether we jst used it to uplmad our beautiful pictures. Lol
I wasn’t even aware of this. These past few months have just been terrible with all the things going on in the world, from all the natural disasters to this. I will definitely keep the people of Jos in my prayers.
It’s so true that we find it so easy to be thankful when things in our lives are going well. It takes so much more to find joy & be thankful when things aren’t going so well. I’ve been struggling with this these past few days.
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I have been praying for the people of Jos & I know that God Almighty would intervene & put an end to the riots.I have friends schooling in Jos presently.I spoke to them & they said they narrowly escaped death due to the religious riot. This riot brings back a painful memory of the Kano riot early 2004 when my family friend in Kano was dragged out of his office and burnt to death because he was a Christain. Leaving his widowed wife and little children behind. The most painful thing about this riot is that they stir people up so fast that they start killing people unannounced.
I pray God gives the family of those who lost their loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss. I really know what it feels like to lose a loved one.Things would never be the same again when they are gone,no matter how hard they try to move on with their lives.
Another thing which brings tears to my heart is how can people be so heartless to kill someone else like themselves all in the name of religion? I guess its just part of the cruel world we live in. I pray God brings peace back to Jos again sis B and I know he will. Thanks for this article.May God continue to bless u and grant you many more inspiration.
@Kike – I know exactly what you mean…. Sadly, we hear so many crazy/sad things happening all the time…one can kinda sorta become immune to them. I know what u mean. But we won’t lose hope, we will continue to draw closer to God…just like you said. Thanks Kike for your ever encouraging words. And your last comment about posting beautiful pics on FB made me smile!:)!
@Anahid – Thanks so much for keeping the people of Jos in your thoughts and prayers. It is very much appreciated. “It takes so much more to find joy & be thankful when things aren’t going so well.”… yes, so so true. I will keep you in my prayers as well Anahid. I pray that God will minister his love and joy directly upon your heart…every single day… Amen. Thanks Ahahid!!
@Christy – Thank you so much for taking the time to share that. It is truly heart wrenching… Amen to your prayers. We will keep on hoping, praying and playing our parts…Thanks so much Christy. God bless you!!!
Thanks for sharing Bomi. So tear provoking, touching and so true
I thought I’d share these 2 interesting versions of Habakkuk 3:17-19
The Message (MSG)
17-19Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I’m king of the mountain!
Amplified Bible (AMP)
17Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls,
18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!(A)
19The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
May He help and teach us to take heart and gain strength, counting on His rule to prevail, walking, making spiritual progress through the storms of life
Bomi,
I just must say well done for what you are doing. You’re truly a blessing to all and May you continue to enjoy God’s blessings
uhmm…this is touching, my eyes were dim with tears as i read thru ur articles, you r a blessing to me bcos i found all ur articles to b so intresting,inspiring,encouraging and motivating even to b grateful to God @ all times either in good times or bad times. Presently som1 close 2 me is goin thru a difficult time nd its really afectin me emotionaly,well..i knw my God is God of possibility whom i beliv wil giv a divine solution 2 ds problm,likewise d case of Jos. God wil definately walk thru d land of Jos nd uproot evry unwantd disructive root in Jesus name. Bomi may inspiration nevr dry nd more anointing ………
@ S- Ayo : Thanks so much for sharing those versions as well. They are certainly very useful and illuminating. And I love the prayer you said – Amen and Amen.
@ S-Yemi Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it… Amen! I pray you and yours will always enjoy God’s blessings too. Thanks!
@ Nikky – Thank you very much for taking the time to read and share Nikky! So glad to hear you are having a pleasant experience on JollyNotes. You and your loved one are in my thoughts and prayers. It is well! Thanks for the kind prayers Nikky – Amen.
Bomi, you have so many Jos people around you who still have family there: Paul Sokomba, Oyi and Joel Eigege, The Obande boys, myself, The Ikueme brothers, Farin Madza, Hemense Orkar, Jude…
Yes please pray for the people of Jos. But abeg pray that we, that is us Christians there, will truly show Christ even in this tragedy. I believe God is trying to get our attention and say to us ‘is this how Jesus behaved? are you being Christ to your enemies and to those who persecute you?’ More easily said than done I know, but God’s grace i sufficient!
Thanks a lot Jagila. I had no idea you had family in Jos. I found out about some others after I had written this note but some of the names you mentioned are new to me…
I definitely agree with you, I pray we can always show Christ in this tragic situation and in any other challenge we might face. It is not easy, but like you said – God’s grace is sufficient. Thanks a lot…
Bomi – Thanks for this incredible reminder. It speaks volumes to me personally this week as I go thru a financial battle. It seems so minor next to Haiti or other countries that are in such bad times right now. However, it is my own personal earthquake right now. I got down on my knees and prayed yesterday, prayed after I went to bed, and have been in continuous prayer – of course, I have to remember that God does things in His time and in His way. He really does know what he’s doing and He does have a plan. We must find peace in this and trust Him with all of our hearts. I love this scripture to help me remember:
Matthew 17:17-20
17And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon,and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Kelley… thank you so much for taking the time to share. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this battle. I know what you mean, our huge problems seem minor compared to Haiti, etc but if it is a personal earthquake then it is a personal earthquake and I believe God knows and feels our pain as we go through stuff like this, just like those in Haiti, etc.
Thanks for sharing the reminder from the scriptures. I’m so glad to hear that you are keeping the faith up, and still praying and trusting that God will come through for you. Will keep praying and trusting along with you. God bless!
When something really bad happens to me or ppl I love, I just pray and ask Allah (God in Arabic/Farsi/Urdu) for help with a sincere heart. When things don’t go the way I want them, I believe in Allah and His decisions and that there is something good in it and there is something better in store for me. Allah knows the future and He wants to protect me. After sometime, the good becomes apparent. I try very hard not to lose patience. Usually it is challenging. When it is something irreplaceable (like someone passing away), I remember that we come from Him and to Him we return. I just read the Quran and feel so connected to Allah and feel the ‘healing’.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and to share, Asifa:)! I love how you reminded us about being patient. I agree, it can be very tempting to lose our patience sometimes, when things aren’t going quite the way we want, or nearly as fast as we’d like.
Thank you again Asifa! Have a great day & God bless:)!
The difference between praise and worship…Praise is thanking God for what he did..thank you Lord for my car, family, career. Worship, on the other hand, is thanking God for who he is and the power of his might..even if I have no shoe, no job, no car, no roof over my head, I bless you for you alone is worthy, your love is valuable, your peace is valuable.
Jos!Jos!Jos!…I saw some very devastating pictures of the killigs, mostly children and women. Hmmn! thank God for God is not man. Well, there is little we can do than to make sure that the hope of heaven perpetually resides in our heart…we will be of all men most miserable if after all has been said and done, we find ourselves on earth with those who were party to the Jos killings.