Living With Purpose
One of the hardest things to do is find something positive in a bad situation. When adversity strikes we often look for someone to blame and we tend to dwell on what has been lost rather than anything good. It’s easy to ascribe all the blessings in our life to God and the tough times to Satan. But it’s worth a second look. There are lessons we can’t learn, joys we can’t experience, knowledge of God we can’t attain until we go through the valleys of life. It seems “the school of hard knocks” is always in session!
Laura story is a contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter. In June 2011 she had a number one single off her album titled “Blessings”. Here’s an excerpt from that single: “Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know your heart? What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?
Many times in the course of our lives what was meant for evil, God means for it to ultimately bring us good. Consider Joseph of the Bible and how he chose to look at his stumbling blocks. Even in his darkest moments at the bottom of a well after his brothers took his coat of many colors and pushed him in (Genesis 37: 23-24), being falsely accused (Genesis 39:17-18), being forgotten in a foreign prison (Genesis 39:20), he trusted God and recognized God’s hand of protection and provision. When he was old and at the end of his physical life, he told his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20).
Think about your life history, especially some of the recent tough times. The same God that was with Joseph is with you too. When you see your life through His eyes, you too will say, “It was God who brought me to this place,”
All people and especially Christians experience adversity. The following suggestions when used properly will help you cope as you open yourself to God’s will:
• Live in God’s presence. When adversity strikes without warning never blame God for the difficulty. Rather draw near to him in prayer and faith. God knows what’s best for his children. As we surrender our will to His, His presence will bring comfort and help like nothing else can.
• Learn from God’s promises. Often during hard times people will try to fix things for themselves. The broken pieces of our life will never fit together again when God is left out of the healing process. There’s a healing balm that can only come from God in the midst of tragic circumstances. The world can’t understand it nor do those who haven’t felt God’s love. God’s specific promises contain specialized help for specialized needs. Allow your trouble to lead you to God’s Word where you can take His promises and claim them over your area of need. Meditate on the scripture, memorize them, or write them down. Claim them in your prayers by faith. Romans 15:4 says, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us and the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
• Lean on God’s power. Any person by virtue of human strength and adrenaline can muster up a valiant charge. But every bit of human power is soon exhausted. It’s finite, not expendable, and undependable because we’re not the ones in control. This principle is also true with earthly protection. Nothing of this world is secure. Our temporal life can be snuffed out by another person. But no one can destroy a person’s soul. The soul that is saved will live forever. The soul that doesn’t trust in God will be tormented upon leaving the physical and entering the spiritual world. 1 Peter 1:3-5 says, “We live in great expectation. We have a priceless inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure, undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. We are kept by the power of God through faith.”
• Look for God’s purpose. Some people, who don’t believe the truth Christ spoke off, look for reasons to question God’s omniscience, goodness, and mercy. Don’t fall for Satan’s deceit, refuse to doubt God, and strive to find His purpose, “And know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).
Victory over adversity is possible for those who live in God’s presence, learn from God’s promises, lean on God’s power, and look for God’s purpose.
• This weekly column is written by Matthew Dobson. He’s the author of the following books: “Soldiers of God: A Bible Study guide for Spiritual Warfare” and “The Authentic Teenager: A Bible Study Guide to Truth and Positive Living” and “Spiritual Fitness For Runners” and “Understanding the Higher Power”. Matthew can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living.
