Stepping Stones: Opportunity In Every Adversity

Stepping Stones: Opportunity In Every Adversity
June 5, 2011 Lighthouse Network

Transformational Thought

Going out of Business Sale … Clearance Sale … Half Off Sale … Buy One Get One Free … Outlets! These are all items that grab our attention. The reason … opportunity is knocking. Here’s another, even richer, opportunity that separates the really successful investor from the person struggling to get by check-to-check. In the middle of a pretty good day, something happens and your day gets messy … a deviation from your agenda … an unplanned adversity … something a bit painful occurs.

You see, anyone can have peace when everything is going OK. Most people’s peace is dependent upon their external circumstances. Here’s where the next level of abundant living happens. The inner calm graciously offered by God need not be shaken by what is going on around you. What God offers to His children is radically different … peace when life gets messy or difficult … peace that comes from within and is independent of circumstances.

The best thing to do when the messy days disrupt your peace is to stop what you are doing, take a “time-out” and ask for God’s assistance. Try turning to and trusting in God in the midst of a messy day. He allowed it to happen for a specific purpose for your powerful development.

The disruption to your peace comes from within you … not from outside of you. Usually it is pain or discomfort you are experiencing and you don’t understand how God is using it to show you, grow you, or prepare you to develop the mind of Christ.

Today, try slowly whispering “Jesus.” Just His name alone is a strong tower. Believing in His love, sacrifice, and power will bring you security. So take a time-out when adversity strikes, and perform some self-examination. If you are having trouble applying the armor of God, trusting God’s promises and character, and believing Jesus’ work for you, the great opportunity God dropped in your lap is to find what false belief you are believing in more than God, Jesus, and the Holy Bible. With practice, prayerful digging will reveal where you really are really putting your trust when adversity strikes. Your decision, choose well.

See the “Spiritual Basics” link at left, then the “Armor of God” link on that page.

Prayer
Dear Father, This day feels very “messy” to me. Many things feel out of control, but I am trying my best to trust You to provide exactly what I need. I confess that my inner calm is easily shaken by what is happening around me. My knee-jerk tendency is to restore order to my little world to ease my pain. And when I do this, I mistakenly look outward to other physical things … to substitutes. I know that Your peace is available to me, but today I am having trouble accessing it. Help me understand, Lord, that I am not in an emergency and help me give myself permission to slow down. Let this slower pace make it easier for me to stay focused on You and really learn what I am trusting more than You when I face adversity. I pray this in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

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