August 11, 2009 

God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.
 
 
Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore… (Ephesian 6:13-14 NKJV.).
 
 
When it comes to adversity, no one is immune. We have all experienced the pain, pressure, and anguish caused by hardships in whatever form our trials may take, whether they are financial, sickness, or some form of rejection—we tend to consider them “setbacks” in our life. God, however, has a different perspective. He views adversity as a way, not to hinder the saints, but to advance their spiritual growth.
 
When facing tribulation, we often wonder where it came from we ask ourselves; (did I do something to deserve this??) Is this from Satan? Or is this from you, Lord? Regardless of the specific source, ultimately all adversity that touches a believer’s life must first be sifted through the permissive will of God. That is not to say everything coming your way is the Lord’s will. But God allows everything that occurs because He sees how even adversity will fit into His wonderful purpose for your life. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 NKJV.
 
According to Isaiah 55:8-9, God’s thoughts are higher than ours, so we cannot expect to understand all that He is doing. He oftentimes takes the most painful experiences of adversity and uses them to prepare us for what lies ahead. God wants us to regard our struggles the way He does so that we won’t be disillusioned. Therefore, far more important than determining the source of our adversity is learning how to respond properly.
 
This brings me to the story of the cowboy who said that he had learned the greatest lesion on dealing with life’s adversities. He told me all his life that he had worked in various cattle ranches.  And that he had witness firsthand how winter storms had taken heavy and in most cases deadly toll among herds of cattle.  Freezing rains, bitter winds, and plunging temperatures that would sometimes drop to 60 degrees below zero with the wind chill factor.  All these things together went to create a harsh and bitter climate.  But this young man noted something particular about certain cattle.  You see when all these conditions were evident for most breeds of cattle.  They would turn their backs to the icy blast of wind and allow it to push them down wind.  After about a mile or so these cattle would ultimately encounter the boundary fence.  And there they would pile up against the barrier and there they would die by the hundreds.  However, this young man noticed that there was one particular breed of cattle called the Herefords which acted totally different from all the others.  This breed would instinctively turn and face the icy blast of the wind or rain Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore… (Ephesian 6:13-14 NKJV.).  There they would stand, shoulder to shoulder, facing the storms blast.  They would put their heads down and there they would make their stand against everything that came against them.  You always find the Herefords alive and well after the storm.  This gentleman said the greatest lesson that he had ever learned in life was that we need to face life's storms head on….not running from them!!
 
This is exactly the same that Jesus did when Peter attempted to defend him.  When they came to arrest him.  You see our Lord could have run, but He didn't.  He ordered Peter to put away his sword and chose to face His life's storm.  He is, and always will be the greatest model for us.  When life's harshness strikes at us we must face the storm with courage and dignity and a great trust in God.  Remember what our Lord said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Heb 13:5 NKJV.
 
Prayer
 
Holy Father, I ask that you deepen my trust in you.  Strengthen my faith in you and increase my confidence in you.  So that I might face my life's storms with confidence.  That you will never leave me nor forsake me.
 
Adversity should act as a tonic.  They should spur us to greater exertion.
 
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 NKJV.
 
 
Stand Up and Be Delivered
Eyes forward, ever ready to face the storm ahead
Nothing will be resolved if you hide within your bed
The storm with waves so high, you're sure that  you will drown
Though drenched and weather pelted, you'll find you're still around
For God has given us the mettle so stand up to the test
With faith, prayer and forgiveness, His blessings do the rest
All those in  your special circle will support you in this task
For together there is strength, all you need to do is ask
If you ever falter or feel like giving up, dig in regain your power
You'll surely have enough, strength in the final hour
Storms of life arrive and ebb, at times you fret and shiver
But surrender your will to His, stand up and be delivered.

 
Whenever there is adversity, it creates wonderful thinking.  I consider chaos a gift.
 
Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war.
 

Ayodele