Have
you thanked Him?
Have
you praised Him?
Have
you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have
you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know
how, for everyone you know.
"Always seek out
the seed of triumph in every adversity." - Og Mandino
Therefore…
...never collapse. The outward man (woman) does indeed suffer wear
and tear, but every day the inward man (woman) receives fresh strength. These
little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a
permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16 (PH)
No one wants to
experience tough times. But when they come our way, we have a choice about how
to view them: as a burden or a bridge. Many people believe that they draw
closer to God through blessings, but really, we discover God’s true love, mercy
and grace through difficult situations and circumstances. - Stanley
That
is true.
That
passage from 2 Corinthians “confirms” it.
Even though you may be going through a tough time, there is purpose in
the challenge; there are triumphs in the “teaching” there is discovery in the
difficulty.
Rick
Warren penned this regarding “adversity, pain and bad or tough times” and their
purpose.
“God is an expert at
bringing good out of bad.
He could have kept
Paul out of prison in Philippi but instead He let Paul go to prison and the
jailer became a believer as a result. God could have kept Jesus from the cross
but He let Him go -- His own Son -- He let Him suffer and die. Did He bring any good out of that? I'd say He did!
God loves to turn
crucifixions into resurrections. (ISN'T that great!)
The things you wish
were most removed from your life are often the very things that God is using to
shape you and make you into the believer of character He wants you to be. He wants to use that problem for good in your
life. There's something more important than your pain. It's what you're learning…”
I
know it not easy to consider the “benefit” when dealing with the “bad”. I will quickly admit, I am not good at it and
often stare at heaven kicking and screaming with my list of “whys” at GOD when
it is going on with me.
BUT…
The
truth is always the truth. And the truth
says:
GOD gives…unto (us) beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…Isaiah 61:3 (KJ21)
GOD promises…that all that happens to us is working for our good if
we love God and are fitting into his plans. – Romans 8:28 (LB)
GOD will… never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past
your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Corinthians
10:13 (MSG)
Therefore,
resist the urge to focus on the present pain.
Instead “seek those seeds” of:
Possibility.
Opportunity.
Understanding.
For…
“There is no better
teacher than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains
its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve…” Unknown
Have
a blessed day…
I
love you all.
OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE
