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Reacting to Adversity
Few, if any, of us are immune to adversity. Often we seem to have
little control over what another person-or what life itself-does to
us. Whether in waves or trickles, Adversity saturates us all with
conflicts and concerns that can be our blessing or our downfall.
What determines whether we overcome adversity or it overcomes us?
Since often we cannot control the difficulties we encounter, the
only variable is our control over our reactions. When we face
adversity maturely and wisely, following God's councel, we have his
repeated promise that all things will work together for our good.
Remember that, ones adversity and ones afflictions shall be but a
small moment: and then, if you endure it well, God shall exhalt thee
on high.
How do we endure so that adversity works to our benefit?
Of we turn to the Lord, patient endurance is simpler; the
experiences can strengthen our faith. The refiner's fire can purge
our souls and lead us to humility. We have Christ's assurance that
if we ask, he will help us endure.
I often think of Job who lost everything he had, his wealth, his
wife, his children and his health. How easy it would have been for
him to give up, to blame God and escape this life through death. But
he endured, and praised God. And God restored everything that he had
lost.
"Blesses are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad;
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before
you. (Matt.5:10-12)
The Lord does not expect us to bear adversity alone, we have but to
lean on him and he will help us. We are NEVER given more than we are
able to bear. But we do not know what we can bear until we are
tried.
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for i am meek
and lowely in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For your
yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30.)
The Lord loves you and he wants you to have joy. If we but develop
patience and faith, all things can work for our benefit, for our
growth and eventual joy.
by Dennis Pickering
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REACTING TO ADVERSITY
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