This picture was taken in Joplin by my husband as he was helping Samaratin’s Purse to clean up after the tornado in May 2011. The picture does little justice to show the devastation that the community endured. Imagine the panic that was overtaking the community. Now imagine the comfort that God sent to His children as they were living out this nightmare. Do you believe that God can even work a devastating tornado for His good? What good could He accomplish by allowing this tornado to happen? I believe he had a plan in it and I heard many stories of how God provided and showed Himself to the citizens and workers of Joplin after the storm.
Do you anticipate adversity in life? Do you try to respond to the adversity that you experience in a Godly manner or do you just say or do the first thing that comes to mind? I have literally done both (as I’m sure is common with us humans), but I wanted to encourage you (and me for that matter) to think about how God would have you respond before you jump the gun and say or do something that you may regret.
Yesterday, I was stewing over some adversity that had come into my life and was blessed to turn on a radio program on Bott Radio Network by Jack Graham. It talked about how we should respond when we find ourselves in that place of discomfort. He shared about how God uses all circumstances, even the bad ones, to refine us in to the person that He wants us to become. He really can work good out of bad. Do you believe that? I find it incredibly comforting that I am not enduring the trials of life for nothing. If we can embrace them, learn from them and use them for the glory of God, we’re in a much better place. What does God have in store for you?
If you’d like to listen to the sermon that I heard yesterday, you can do so here: Advancing Through Adversity, Keeping the Dreams Alive
G-ma says
Wonderful reminder!