God can bring blessing and growth into our lives through seemingly impossible and heartbreaking circumstances. Today's testimony is from Carla from Moment by Moment ministries. I know that many of you will be able to identify with Carla's questions about adversity. My prayer is that you will be encouraged by the blessings she received through her journey.
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I’m the kind of gal who likes to gain understanding of a situation. But, as you well know, there are some things in life that we may never fully understand. Adversity is one of them.
As a result of my lack of understanding, there was a season in my life when I could list each personal difficulty and the unanswered questions and hurts that resulted from them. Out of my desire for understanding I began to read God’s Word. I didn’t just read the Bible like it was a hobby or mental exercise, as in days gone by, I read really looking for answers.
All the while I was looking for understanding of my circumstances, through His Word, God was providing me with a deeper glimpse of Himself. What an amazing work God was doing—As He revealed Himself to me through Biblical truth, my focus was drawn away from my circumstances and toward the consideration of His perspective. I began to look at each circumstance in life through the eye of the orchestrator of life—our loving God.
Because the world told me that adversity was bad, I once failed to see purpose in hardship. But my life was changed once I learned that God has purpose in every trial, and victory is achievable in every hardship. The apostle Paul experienced enormous adversity in his lifetime. Yet, in Romans 5:3 he tells us that he rejoiced in his suffering. How could someone choose to rejoice in the midst of suffering? In the same verse Paul answers this question . . .Because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
It wasn’t that Paul rejoiced because of suffering, but He could rejoice in spite of the hardship, knowing that God’s purpose was being achieved through it. As a result of applying this truth in my life, I am now choosing to embrace the challenges and adversities I face. This change in perspective doesn’t result from exerting my will or mustering up my own strength—I am able to embrace trials by faith and trust in the promise that God is building character in me; His character. This simple act of faith enables me to focus on the potential outcome (based on eternal purpose) rather than merely on the situation (based on temporal circumstance). And in seeking the eternal, I always find hope!
What choices are you making concerning the challenges facing you?
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Carla shared some great insights into facing the adversities that come into ALL of our lives. If you'd like to connect with her some more, make sure to visit her website, Moment by Moment Ministries.