Fear of challenges and of failure may be a fact of life but it can be successfully overcome using the right strategies, a public speaker has said.

Speaking yesterday at the ongoing ‘God’s Word Is Truth!’ Distrct Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Ota, Ogun State, Daniel Eshiet used the experiences of Apostle Peter in the Bible to illustrate why people give way to fear and how the problem could be conquered.

The Sound Drama he presented based on Matthew 14:23-34; 26:31-75 and Luke 5:1-11 recalled how Peter, a naturally bold person, had his request to walk on water to meet Jesus Christ granted. However, Peter midway looked at the water and, gripped by fear, began to sink, whereupon he cried out to Jesus, who rebuked him for giving way to fear and stretched out his hand to rescue him.

Eshiet explained that Peter became fearful because he removed his focus from Jesus (his destination) and focused on the challenge of walking on water.

The drama also recalled the incident where Peter denied Jesus thrice due to fear of man and wept bitterly in regret after the incident. The speaker pointed out that Peter built up his faith in God, overcame his fears and was given weightier assignments by Jeusus, which he successfully carried out.

“We should learn to dwell on the solution – not on the problem,” Eshiet advised. “We should focus on Jehovah rather than on the many problems that we have.”

He identified the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom as the main assignment He has given to Christians today. “The qualification to preach comes from Jehovah and Jehovah will help us to overcome our fears and to be active in the preaching work,” Eshiet stated.

The convention, the first in a series lasting till December 22, ends this evening at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located along Ota – Idi Iroko Road. Delegates yesterday numbered over 4,000.

Apart from Ota, conventions, the convention, which has as theme, ‘God’s Word Is Truth!’, would also hold in English and local languages in several other Nigerian cities, namely, Agbor, Akabo, Akure, Awi, Badagry, Benin City, Daluwon, Enugu, Igwuruta Ali, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Nko, Ilesa, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Katsina Ala, Kwali, Lekki, Makurdi, Mgboko Umuoria, Okitipupa, Oyede, Sokoto, Ubogo, Uli, Uzuakoli and Zaria.

A statement by the News Service Department of the Convention Organisation said: “Everyone who is interested is invited to attend. Seating is free and there is no collection of any sort.”

•Photo by Chris Nkwocha shows a cross section of delegates at the 2013 “God’s Word Is Truth!” District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ota.

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