Give Your Threat a Treat.

Give Your Threat a Treat. 

"Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the ocean swallow me. Save me from the pit that threatens. O Jehovah, answer my prayers, for Your lovingkindness is wonderful; Your mercy is so plentiful, so tender and so kind. Don’t hide from me, for I am in deep trouble. Quick! Come and save me." Psalm 69:15-17. 

I poured out all anxiety in my soul in a deep cry to the Lord, just like David. I knew that except the Lord broke protocol for me, I would be disgraced openly. 

At that point, I was only a few weeks from my delivery date, and I had no assurance I would make it. Not for lack of grace, but because of the psychological strain from conspiracy and threats meted out against me by some senior officers at the bank. 

They took advantage of my situation — a breach of bank policy — to feed their wounded pride and selfish interests. I had taken an “inflexible” stand against worshiping their ego on my duty post. I was awaiting confirmation as a newly appointed staff, and the bank’s policy was clear: a non-confirmed staff who became pregnant must report within three months and resign, or be exposed and sacked immediately.

Well, I didn’t know I was pregnant. After three months of constant headaches, I went for a check-up and discovered I was carrying a baby. I was working well — nothing was missing on my table. 

I cried. I had done everything a woman could to avoid this, but here I was. I don’t understand where the courage came from to stay and watch God part the Red Sea for me… and yes, He did!

How? The constant threats and intimidation from those officers actually pushed me closer to my Advocate, Jesus. He gave me the boldness to report myself to the highest authority at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos before my accusers did. 

That was how I escaped. Instead of being sacked, the verdict changed. I was discharged and acquitted. I only got a penalty of no salary for a few months —God stood with me! I thank God for the unwavering support of my darling husband, God’s mercy gave me favor and some colleagues also stood with me financially and with prayers. Eventually, I got my promotion… and my baby!🎉🥂🎉

The Red Sea parted. God broke protocol for me. And would you believe it? After my delivery, a stricter policy was re-enacted. Hmm… the Red Sea only parts for those whom God shows great mercy, and who persevere to the end. 

Mercy doesn’t exempt you from the fight; it qualifies you for it. Protocol-breaking isn’t for the rebellious, pity-party folks, or just anyone. It’s for those who fight the good fight of faith to the end, amid persecution, conspiracy, and misunderstanding by people who think they are custodians of God’s grace and judgment.

But thanks be to God, who is so rich in mercy. He is not partial in judgment. He chooses His purpose above principles. We shouldn't disregard principles but God is  more concerned about purpose than principles. Why else would He choose to use Rahab in Jericho?

Do not exalt someone's weakness above their purpose in your life #Selah. 

Need I say those who threatened me were nowhere to be found after my promotion and delivery? One was sacked — I still don’t know why. Another was transferred. Others kept their distance, maybe thinking I had a “strong link” in management. 

The truth? I knew no one. I only obeyed the Holy Spirit’s instruction: send an email to the overall Head of Operations in Lagos — the man everyone called the “husband of Margaret Thatcher” 😅.

I came so close to being ashamed but God saved me! He gave me an unlikely helper. 

I share this testimony to revive hope in those caged by human judgment and systems that disqualify them. For those who feel too handicapped by circumstances beyond their control, yet misjudged by others: Be strong in the Lord!

Lessons from the Word

The book of Acts shows there are no meaningful revivals without threats against God’s vessels. Paul once breathed threats against the church before defending the gospel. His ministry proved that both the one issuing threats and the one being threatened are saved by grace through faith in Christ — nothing else.

Anyone who uses threats to bully others, even “for God’s work,” doesn’t know God or is ignorant of His ways. Not even a sheep is allowed to bully another sheep under God’s watch. There are repercussions.

God is Wisdom personified. His words are commandments, not opinions. Don’t take the law into your hands. Leave room for “I could be wrong.” Rigid, quick judgments damage your faith and blind you to God’s next agenda.

God may even use an enemy to help you. Learn to pray and hear God’s opinion about someone before you conclude. That’s empathy and grace ! 

To free the disciples from prison, God spoke through Gamaliel — a man who didn’t openly profess Him. Acts 5:35-39. You can’t legislate your own resurrection. The method belongs to God, not you.

7 Keys to Hold Onto When Threats Come; 

1. Treat the threat. Don’t ignore Satan’s threats; Abraham, Elijah, Esther, David, Job, even Jesus treated threats on their knees . Queen Esther was so dramatic — she invited her enemy to dinner. Showing love and listening to opposition isn’t weakness. It’s emotional strength from the throne of grace.

The apostles prayed for boldness in Acts 4:29, and God answered. Boldness is given by the Holy Spirit when you ask for it. Along with boldness comes utterance. God downloads wisdom into you, if you can handle going down, God will handle your exaltation. Learn to process trauma in God's light and receive healing. Betrayers are real, but don’t let them change who you are in Christ.

2. Keep your ground. Stay humble. Battles only happen where territory matters. In Christ, we are more than conquerors — not by our strength. Humility is being teachable. Growth shows in the choices you make. 

As you obey God, expect threats. Satan is serious about ending your faith. He often recruits people close to you who don’t even know they’re being used. Be vigilant. Don’t be suspicious, but pray and stay alert.

3. Check with the Holy Spirit for your assignment. Never assume success equals God’s intervention. Expect to fight in every assignment. Trouble comes for both the just and unjust. 

When opposition comes, don’t pity yourself. Rise up. Study the Word, meditate, and put on the whole armor of God. You can’t afford disobedience. Sin robs you of joy. Ask for grace to stay in love with Christ — that’s the goal, not performance.

Let the Holy Spirit help you generate joy through thanksgiving. Let His fruit flow. No revenge. Speak and act in wisdom, not emotion. Direction is more important than any resource in times of threat.

4. Threats strengthen the church. In Acts 8, persecution scattered the church — and Philip became an evangelist who healed Samaria. Your best emerges when you “give your threat a treat.” 

The parable of the talents shows there’s no limit to profit. The servant with one talent could have gained more than those with five. It’s up to you what you do with your gift. Don’t chase ready-made platforms. Ask for grace to build one.

5. Pray with others. In Acts 12,  the church prayed together when Herod killed James and arrested Peter. Connect with like-minded believers. Don’t isolate. Be available for others so you can enjoy help in your hour of need.

Groom your faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. Ask for might in your inner man. Like Hezekiah, run to God with the threat letter and pray. God sent an angel to neutralize 185,000 enemies. *God is mighty in battle!

6. Rest from striving;  Don’t rush to fix or control. Isaiah 28:16: “He who believes does not make haste.” 

Rest is warfare strategy. The enemy uses attrition to wear you out and misplace your priorities. Let the Holy Spirit reveal your heart and others’. 

A jar of black ants and red-headed ants was peaceful until someone shook it. Then they fought each other, blind to the external cause. Many relationships are wrecked by suspicion and hearsay. Ask: What is God saying about this person? Kingdom work thrives when we see from God’s view.

7. Commitment: Stay steady at all costs. 

Listen 👂🏾: God will not do everything for you! 

Don’t sell your birthright.

Be committed and steady in prayer and in obeying God’s instructions, at all costs. When you persevere, God will set up your genuine support system for you, though He may change them in different seasons — lest anyone act as God in your life.

Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”Job 13:15

Even terrorists have become an international problem because they have already given up their lives for their cause.

The more you surrender every area of your life to God’s Word, the more you are able to overcome temptations, threats, and enticements to sin. Then God can use you more.

Final Word: Check Your Faith

Threats are not an excuse to leave your assignment. Battles only happen where territory matters.

Build your faith — it’s your escape route from every limitation. God can save you from your handicap, or work through it. Watch for “dusty faith” — when God’s Word sits untouched like books on a dusty table. Sometimes, you are distracted going everywhere organizing programs, teaching, solving problems yet absent from the assigned room God is moving. When faith is sick, prudence disappears.

God is asking: What is your house(Faith) built on? Matthew 7:24-25

What to do next:

1. Pray into it: Ask God, “What part of my faith feels sick? What needs dusting off?”

2. Colossians 3:23: Even when faith feels weak, “work as to the Lord.” He’s still in the house.

3. James 5:14: For the sick, there’s prayer and care. That applies spiritually too.

If this stirs anxiety, talk to a mature believer you trust. And remember: God is close to the brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18

Lest I forget..

My son’s name, Oluwatumilara, — meaning “God restored my soul” — is a prayer answered. God gave me double blessing: *Baby + Promotion* for my trouble, the threat.

I pray for you: Isaiah 61:7-

_“Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion you shall rejoice in your portion. Therefore in your land you shall possess double. Everlasting joy shall be yours.”

Amen.🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Yours faithfully,  

Segilola Awolesi 🔥🥰🌹💃🏾

Olive Global Ministries, June 2026