GROWTH IN THE TIME OF ADVERSITY

Going through adversity should be a thing of joy for every child of God (James 1: 2 – 4). You grow spiritually and become mature as you keep your eyes focused on Jesus. But when you complain and grumble you attract God’s judgment rather than His mercy and grace. Our Father sees all our afflictions and assures us that He will be with us all the way (Psalm 23:4), and He will also comfort us so that when we overcome we can be able to comfort those who are on that same road (2 Corinthians 1: 4 – 7) in order to come out victoriously. Have you ever wondered why believers spend so much time trying to solve problems, overcome challenges, and come out from trials and temptations victoriously?  The natural sense teaches us to first tackle the issue at hand and see how you can correct and amend things but the kingdom way is to take it to God in prayer and to ask how you go about the situation and what you need to learn from it. Today believers are too focused on the end point which is the blessings rather than the process. Take, for example, a parent who is taking his child to school needs to concentrate more on the road and make sure they arrive safely. When he gets to the traffic no matter how busy the road may be and if there are construction going on, he won’t try to beat the red light when he knows he is supposed to give way for other road users. Obedience to traffic laws, patience and self-control so as not to go over the speed limit is needed in order to arrive safely. You don’t drive recklessly and endanger other road users because you have an appointment to keep.

The same thing goes to every believer on earth irrespective of the country you are in don’t try to handle that situation by yourself. Involve God the Holy Spirit, this will help you make things easier, go through the situation with a joyful heart even in pain. The process is where the gain is because our character is being moulded. Some of us may be lacking in patience and you see yourself most times dealing with impatient people, what is the lesson there – learn to be patient and for you to persevere in an unfriendly environment. The same thing goes when you are in lack and in need of money, you find needy people around you. Would you be able to share the little you have with others or will you say when I have enough? If you can’t give when you have little, you will find it difficult to give when you have in abundance and when you do, you give in order to get the praises rather than to honour God. Just like the people of Israel complained and grumbled time after time despite them seeing God’s power in action they have refused to wholeheartedly trust God to bring them out of their situation. The same thing applies to some believers today. How then do you expect to grow and handle God’s blessings when you can’t trust Him? Is it good for us to receive from God and then refuse to trust Him with our lives – is this your philosophy, idea or what? No believer can grow beyond the revelational knowledge he/she has from the scriptures and applying it as well. Many have a head knowledge of God’s word but no revelation. Beloved bear in that God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us (Ephesians 3:20). Note the word “working” in us. When you allow the Holy Spirit direct your path irrespective of your feelings or what people may think, you will begin to see more of His manifestation in your life as He uses you more often to encourage other believers who are weak in faith and to win more souls.

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