by David Brenneman
"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing." Psalms 34:7-10.
What is God’s goal in adversity? His basic objective is to draw us closer to Himself. He does not glory in pain or sorrow, but He uses these things to teach us about His love and faithfulness.
The moment adversity comes our vulnerability increases, and we may find ourselves wondering why God has allowed us to face such difficulty. Pain, disappointment, and trial are effective tools He uses to drive us to Himself and to the cross where we discover our personal need for a Savior. We're struck with a defining thought: I need God. We need His strength, wisdom, and forgiveness.
Whenever you’re confronted by adversity, always remember God has a purpose for allowing it to touch your life. He’s never out of control. He has a plan and a goal, not just for this situation alone, but also for your entire life. In times of difficulty, He is your immovable strength (Prov. 18:10), and He has promised never to abandon you.
When adversity strikes, one of the first things we should do is turn to the Lord and ask Him to show us what we need to learn in the situation. We may initially battle feelings of disbelief or denial, but the overriding thought needs to be one of trust and faith in God’s ability. The second step is to affirm our commitment to Him and set our focus on Him—not our circumstances.
Never forget that God knows the future! He understands the advantage of adversity and how it can be used to strengthen your faith, refine your hope, and settle your heart into a place of contentment and trust. Without times of adversity, you would miss the powerful experience of God walking with you through the valley times of life.
Therefore, determine to keep the focus of your heart on Jesus. Don’t let the negative talk of others tempt you to get off course. Stay close to the Lord in devotion and prayer. Read His Word. He will guide you through the greatest difficulty, and then you will know what it means to live in a broad place of blessing.
Life Principle 26: Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God. Dr. Charles Stanley.
It probably would have been better had the last two weeks been a vacation rather than a full time job looking for a job.
In recent days there's been a lot of rich learning in my evening studies.
I might not get up as early as I was but I refuse to wander away from meeting with Jesus in the mornings to write whatever He would have me write nor shall I give in to anything that would stop my evening studies. Not happening.
The Scriptures teach us not to give the devil a foothold. Slam the door on his foot.
I can be one to get wrapped around the axle on problem solving. To describe my current day-to-day would be taking steps on something resembling solid ground but while going through a thick white fog with no details of anything in front of me. I am not getting any younger and whether or not the industry isn't supposed to discriminate against older people it happens when the younger are the only ones catered to. But...even in this...God will still make a way.
The Casting Crowns song "Praise You in the Storm" has been on my mind a lot lately. As well as "Trust in God" by Elevation Worship.
It's easy in our world to jump on the panic button before trusting in God.
For millions of people around us that's their go to.
I still pray to my Savior each day. Still seeking to do my best at whatever He puts before me to be doing. His promises didn't come with an expiration date for me or anyone else alive today.
Jesus taught a parable of leaving the 99 sheep to go find the 1 that was missing. He would run after any of His sheep no matter where they find themselves to bring them back to His safety and purpose.
In many ways that parable and the one on the Prodigal Son could be heavily related.
There's Godly reasons for what we are going through with my employment. To start off right is to understand that He is under no obligation to explain that particular why. We, like Job, may only know after we are in Heaven. We may indeed be told in full or in part. But that's the beginning.
We need to not let our adversity disrupt our relationship with Jesus in any negative way. Keep your commitments to your times with Jesus. If you're not having any dedicated times to be with Jesus then now is exactly when you start.
Start small and add to it. Start with a book of the Bible and a chapter. Add to it. Ask Jesus to explain it to you. But doing nothing isn't an option.
Still give your all to what Jesus would have you to be doing.
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
This isn't only a good idea while gainfully employed but in everything. The Apostle Paul wrote to many people that his life was not his own that his first and only priority was preaching the gospel.
Our lives are not defined by our stuff nor by the opinions of others.
People may indeed lie about us and speak falsely concerning us. God knows the truth. In my short life of 57 years I can tell you that God DOES take care of His sheep. I can recount story after story of how God stepped in to deal with those who abused or took advantage of or mistreated this particular sheep. In ways that I never believed possible.
This current situation is no different. While it's on me to pray for those who did what was done to me, Jesus will yet serve up His judgment concerning all involved.
Yes it is on me to pray for those who persecute me. That is what the Bible says that we who are in Christ are to do.
The white cloudy days are giving way to less cloudy days that have colors to them. It still isn't clear as to what my next job is to be but I know that my Savior will take care of me.
While in some respects I was betrayed by some who should know better, I will leave them in God's hands to deal with. Vengeance is His and it's not for me. It's also not for me to mount a defense against those speaking ill of me or who have dealt deceitfully with me. Jesus will take care of all that. It's a human thing to want full closure but it's often not something that God wants us to experience. The why behind this could be in what Jesus said about casting our pearls before swine. We could yet still have these people turn on us in other ways.
You may indeed find yourself in various adversities. By no means, regardless of how this may look, am I riding in the coattails of Dr. Stanley in quoting these portions of his Life Principles. Jesus tells me what to write and I write. Whatever it is from whatever source.
You cannot take your eyes off Jesus. Reread what happened to Peter concerning that.
You must increase your time with Jesus in these times of your life.
You must be praying with a sincere heart.
You must be fully open to whatever God shows you that might need adjusted in your life.
There is no hiding things from Jesus when the Spirit is everywhere in your heart and mind and spirit.
Just go straight to full open honesty. Save yourself the trouble of repeating old lessons that you keep skipping out on.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.
That isn't a suggestion that's a promise of God to those who obey in truth.
Settle your heart and take meaningful steps of faith towards whatever Jesus is taking you to.
You are, after all, His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that you might walk in them.
Expect changes in your life that have all the appearances of adversities. Jesus didn't save you only to give you a way to Heaven. He didn't save you to leave you as He found you. He promised to start a work in you that He is going to complete.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Breathe. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Breathe.
Repeat.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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