Adversity
hurts, makes us panic and disrupts the routine of our life; unless we change
our focus about hard times and see them as just another opportunity for God to
get the glory from our life's circumstances (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Our ace in
the hole while suffering through adversity is to remember that Jesus Christ
abides within us. During His lifetime as a human being, He experienced
everything that we do and so much more (Hebrews 4:15).
When we keep our thoughts
centered on praising Him for who He is and what He has done and is doing for us,
He gives us His complete peace (Ephesians 6:10-14).
We live with
joy and gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We bask in God's love for us as
the sheep of His pasture; as His righteous ones about whom He cares (Psalm
37:28).
The only time this does not
happen is when we are out of God's perfect will for us. This requires that we
seek His face, discover where we got sidetracked, and align our self back up with
His Holy Spirit's direction (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God's former care for us gives us
the confidence that He will also use our present adversity to develop our
patience, to resolve our issues and to get the glory from what we are currently
experiencing (Job 1:21-22).
Praising God in the good times as
well as the bad experiences helps us to develop resiliency in adversity
(Ephesians 5:19-20). Worship keeps us from panicking and giving in to the
depression and seeming hopelessness of our situation (Joshua 1:9; James 1:2-4;
Psalm 145:14).
We confidently look past our
oppression, mistreatment, adversity and physical and emotional agony to His
glorious comfort, miracles and provision (Psalm 31:23-24; Exodus 14:14).
Prayer:
Father God, when we totally trust
in You and Your love, we will not be afraid (Psalm 56:11, 62:8; Philippians
4:6-7). We humble our self before You and look to You to lift us up from the
miry clay of sin and worldly degradation (Psalm 50:15; James 4:10; Hebrews
12:2-3).
Your continual provision for us
encourages us through each day, regardless of our circumstances (Philippians
4:19). You always have our best interest in Your plans. Your Spirit will lead
us each moment if we will place our cares in Your hands, gain wisdom from Your
will and live by faith in Your faithfulness (Jeremiah 29:11).
Thought for the Day:
When we experience trials from
every side, we tend to give in to distress, perplexity, depression and anxiety;
yet when we keep our focus on God's faithfulness we do not give up in despair,
desertion and destruction; we move forward and are strengthened.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Job 17:9
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Job 17:9
