Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
“The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block but as a stepping stone to greatness” – Shawn Anchor.
We can never live in a protected environment where we will face no challenges or confrontations. Adversities in life are inevitable and those who take advantage of harsh conditions are the most successful. Every miracle starts with a problem and behind all success there will be hardships. Challenges bring the best out of us if we handle the obscurity wisely.
We see that ‘oppression’ was the pathway to the deliverance of the Hebrew slaves from the tyranny of the Egyptians. If they were not ill-treated, Israel would have never left Egypt (Exodus 3:9). The severity of the suppression was the sword that shattered the shackles of slavery. When the others were crying helplessly, God raised a leader, Moses, to stand against the oppressor the Pharaoh. If we interview Moses he would give us the succinct advice to take advantage of adversity and be exceptionally successful.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Stars can’t shine without darkness” and Nelson Mandela said, “Adversity cleanses the lethargies of man.” Adversity builds the resilience to fight back. So, let us not faint at challenges. Let us soar above the storm like an eagle and use the velocity of the harsh wind to give us an air lift. Adversity can accelerate our momentum of success if we look at the challenge as an opportunity and not a difficulty.
Three adversaries that weaken our resilience in times of adversity:
1. People: Beware of whom you speak to during hard times. The constantly complaining congregation wore out Moses. Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers? (Numbers 11:12). Pick your friends to share your problems. Pessimistic and petrified people will weaken our resilience.
2. Prognosis: Be cautious about how you process a prognosis. Don’t Google every symptom and make Google your doctor. Be it health, financial or family prognosis, Jesus is the answer to every problem. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. He is bigger than our problems and our prognosis. Look at the prognosis through the eyes of Jesus. The same diagnosis that looked like a mountain will become a mole when we look through the lens of God.
3. Predictions: The predictions about the financial crisis and recession in 2023 are all over the media. Remember, God uses the time of famine and recession to elevate His children. God waited for famine to ravage the nation before He made Isaac the wealthiest man in town. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy (Genesis 26:13). Financial forecasts make us frail. During recession our God will supply His children from His treasury.
2023 is a year of growth for God’s children.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to identify the strength drainers and never let people, prognosis or predictions shake my reliance on you. Help me to grow through every challenge. Amen
Leave a Reply