Adveristy a Blessing in Disguise?

"O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying to me, 'There is no help for you in God.' But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me." Psalm 3:1-5

Adversity always comes in life. That is a part of the life we live while here on earth. We can try to avoid it but it somehow always seems to find us in one way or another.

Psalm 3:1-5 is very close to my heart for I have been in situations before where it seemed everyone and everything was against me. The rumors that were spread and the way I was treated came from people I thought I knew. People who had known me as a teenager and had supported me and encouraged me in my faith. Unfortunately once I decided to dedicate my life to the LORD and follow Him, no matter what, some of those same people turned against me. My heart was broken and I even thought at times if this was even worth it. During this time in my life I was talking with a Pastor and the statement he said to me was this. "What bothers me about you is that you believe in God too much!" That was the last thing I expected to hear and yet this was what was said. I was at a loss for words.

I then began to ask myself, "Do I believe in God too much?" "Can you believe in God too much? No I decided you can't believe in God too much!! Believing in Him is the most important and life changing thing we can choose to do. " Was following Him really worth all of the attacks I seemed to be under? My answer was, "Yes, I chose to follow Him no matter what". I chose to believe that God is bigger than what anyone can say or do to me. It's all in his control.

The time that all of this happened was when I was somewhat new in my faith and I believed that all Christians were good people. That they would never say or do such hurtful things to another Christian. God helped me to grow and understand that we are all human and that we as Christians can be used by Satan just as non-Christians can. Spiritual attacks begin especially when someone decides to dedicate their lives to serving the LORD. This is the way it is. Even I, myself have said or done things that God would have for me not to do. But in the midst of adversity, of trials and tribulations, God is the one who defends, who corrects, and the one who loves us more than anyone here on earth can love us.

Adversity is a fact of life. Without God in the midst of the adversity the way forward can seem hopeless and without a future. But with God, as David said in Psalm 3:3-5, "But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep, I wake again, for the LORD sustains me." The LORD shields us and sustains us!

Those days back then, were hard believe me! I questioned God's will for my life, I questioned if I was even doing what He wanted me to do. I questioned my faith. But the one thing I never did was question if God was who He said He was. He is our God, Creator of all things, the God of yesterday, today, and forever. Do I wish I never had to experience the adversity of those who I thought I knew turn against me and spread rumors, no I don't. Because of these things I learned to cry out to God, to turn to Him in times of despair, and trust that He has all things in His power and He will make things turn out for His, for my good.

Today I am on the other side of that particular time of adversity, but by God. I am thankful for all I have gone through, good and bad. Because of these things I have grown closer to God and to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! I have had many more times of struggle and adversity and there will be more in the future- until Jesus returns. When Jesus returns there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more death! Hallelujah!

Don't give up in the face of adversity, the flames of sorrow, pain, grief or loss! God has His shield around you and you do not walk through these times alone!

Adversity brings us closer to God and his son, Jesus Christ! Just believe it is so!! Our God is an awesome God! He pursues you and loves you and will NEVER give up on you!!

Love to you all,

Gwen