5 Things to do when confronting Your Season of Adversity
Times of adversity can feel like a desert: intense heat during the day, followed by freezing nights. It takes courage and endurance to walk across a desert. There are no maps and no obvious paths to follow.
We can feel lost, lonely and very scared. We don’t know whether we will be able to make it to the other side and to better and happier times.But we all have to confront the deserts of life, at some time or another.
Moreover, we must survive the sandstorms of poor emotional and physical health. We must stop from walking toward unholy promises and we must find shelter, after being out in the heat of making hard and difficult choices in life.
1. Search for, and understand, God’s love for us
We must search for God’s love for us, which is the cool, forgiving and restful promise of His Grace. It is only then that our journey through the desert will be accomplished. Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
The LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He alone is our shield, our protector.
- Psalm 33:18, 20 “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
- Jeremiah 31:1 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
- John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
We all endure blinding sandstorms of life:
- broken relationships
- bad choices and
- lost opportunity
However, God’s love and grace gives us the strength to overcome all adversity and be triumphant.
But don’t be fretful
In times of adversity, don’t be fretful, but rather, exercise patience. Don’t worry about where you are going or how and when you will get there. Jesus not only died for you, he died to light your way. Jesus Christ Himself will light your pathway. Allow him to lead and guide your ways.
It is very difficult to be patient in times of trouble. But Romans 8:28 reminds us that:
“We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 5:2-4 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation develops patience. And patience, experience; and experience, hope.
Isaiah 41:10 I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.
Be Still in Adversity
In these difficult times, we must be still. Lie close under God’s wing and wait on His timing, because He is using the storms of our life to make us stronger.
Thank you, Lord, that You inhabit the praises of Your people. With every challenge I am facing at this time, help me to be still and know that You are my God and You are in total control. Strengthen me, Father, that I may be able to accomplish the tasks ahead as You cover me with Your wings.
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
It’s time for Growth and Maturity
Please know, He gives us trials for a reason, He is not trying to hurt us. He is giving us challenges in our lives so we will grow and mature in His Ways and He gave us the Holy Spirit to live within us as our Guide so we are never alone.
This does not mean life will be bright and happy and things will change overnight. But our Heavenly Father gives us a capacity to deal with such times.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Please know, the season you are in will pass and God will make something good of your experience. Try to take one day at a time and ask God for grace enough just for that day.
Spend time alone with God and praise Him. We overcome the spirit of heaviness through praise. Stretch out your arms in praise to the Lord.
Spend time in Prayer
The Bible advises us to pray without ceasing. What do you do in a time of crisis? Turn to others, depend on your own efforts? Remember: Prayer changes things and people.
James 5:16 “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man helps much”
Dear Lord God, I ask that You will give Grace needed to us at this hour. Grant peace in the mist of the storms I’m facing and turn my valley of troubles into a door of hope in this life. In the gentle name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
