Finding Strength Through Adversity

Adversity.  Mmm there’s a word for ya. When I think of adversity I think of troubled marriages, lost jobs, lost homes, lost loved ones.   There’s so much more. The tough part is finding strength through adversity. 

 

The Story of Joseph

Ive been reading through the Old and New Testament at the same time. Bible Gateway has a phone app. The app has reading plans and the Old and New Testament is a reading plan you can pick.

As I’ve been reading though Genesis. I am in awe of the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and especially Joseph.  I’ve read these stories a dozen times.  I know them, but I am enjoying them again.  I think the story of Joseph is my favorite.  The adversity he went through as a boy and a man is just crazy.

Joseph is the oldest of 2 of his mothers children but next to the youngest of 12 of his fathers children.  He was adored by his father, the favorite.   His older brothers hated him because of it.    So much so that they sold him as a slave when he was young.   They let their father believe he was killed by a wild animal.  Wow!  What jealously will make us do.

However, God was with Joseph and he became head of his masters home until his masters wife came on to Joseph.  He denied her and she lied which landed Joseph in prison.  Again God was with Joseph and he became a respected man in prison.  He was release by Pharaoh and became the greatest in Egypt besides Pharaoh.

The thing is, none of that happened over night  it was years of slavery, and years of prison.   Can you imagine being sold as a slave at 17? Or thrown into  prison for a crime you did not commit?  Imagine the adversity.   Joseph stayed true to God.  His faith remained and God blessed him for it.

Remain Faithful

The same is true for us as well.  God will bless us if we remain faithful to Him.  Maybe not the way we expect.  Sometimes we have to look for the blessings.

I cannot say I went through loosing my dad with great Faith.  Not even a little.  I pretty much got angry and turned my heart away from God.  I had spent several years watching daddy decline and when he finally left, I just lost it.

I gave up on God, my family, my friends, my church family, I just gave up.  I wanted daddy back and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.  I couldn’t pray enough for that one.  I spent months in counseling just to figure out why I had given up.

I Hope that next time I go through such adversity that I will cling to my savior instead of ignore him.  Lord willing I will press into my husband instead of shutting him out and building huge walls around myself.

Micah 7:8

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.

When Adversity Strikes

When adversity strikes, and it will, keep your heart and mind focused on Jesus.  When the enemy tries to take you out at the knees with negative thoughts, rebuke him in Jesus name.  You will have to rebuke anger in Jesus name, despair in Jesus name, hopelessness in Jesus name.

Each time a negative thought creeps in say to yourself and that thought “NO, I will not allow that to creep in.  Lord Jesus protect me from that thought.  Jesus give me peace and hope to endure in this time of trial.”  

You most likely will have to pray that simple prayer several times a day.  I know, that’s how I finally got out of that hopeless place and back in the arms of Jesus.

I chose to give the anger, despair, and hopelessness to Jesus. I would pray that the Lord would help me to accept what has happened.  I prayed that the Lord would give me Joy anyway.  It wasn’t easy and to be honest, I didn’t do it every day.  It was a process. You can read more about my journey to Joy Anyway in this post, Joy Is A Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

I turned to Jesus and he lovingly opened His arms to me.  He was patient with me. His Grace is sufficient for me.  Praise the Lord!

Micah 7:7

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Have you endured adversity? Even just a little?  How were you able to accept the circumstances and come out of the situation stronger?

Praying for you

Lord Jesus, I pray today that those struggling with adversity would have hope, joy and peace anyway.  That they would cling to you instead of build walls around their heart.  Help us Lord to seek your face.  In Jesus name, Amen.

♥Sabrina