There isn't a person in this world who would be opposed to going through life trouble-free. We all want to be at peace, to be filled with joy, to have our happiness at its fullest and not have a care in the world. While this may be the ideal life that many wish for, the reality is that life is full of troubles. But is that a bad thing? What we must realize and understand about adversity is that it is the tool that best strengthens our resolve, that makes us better than we were before and it is through adversity that we become equipped with the knowledge that we can overcome even greater challenges in our future to come. (John 16:33) (Psalm 18:24-33)

We must always remember and keep in mind that tough times make us dig our heels in, they make us wiser than we were before, and they show us that we do have the ability to overcome and be victorious if we simply believe in ourselves as God believes in us and stay in the fight until victory is ours. The next time a discouraging situation comes your way, don't become anxious, but rather face it with confidence. The next time the storms of life rage against you, smile and know that you will grow from it, you will stand taller because of it and God will use it to mold you and equip you so that you will not be lacking any good thing. (Isaiah 26:3-4) (Psalm 34:9-10)

Many of our greatest inventors saw nothing but failure and rejection, but they didn't allow that temporary discouragement to dissuade them from doing what they knew in their hearts they were meant and equipped to accomplish. Let us remember to have the same fortitude to continue on in faith no matter how discouraged we may feel, no matter how hard the storms are raging against us and no matter how badly we want to give up. Let us be determined, focused, steadfast and trust that all things will work together for our good and that our latter end will be much greater and glorious than our former beginnings. Trust that goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life and with confidence proclaim that victory will be yours through Christ our Lord. (Romans 8:28) (Psalm 23:6)

I hope this message inspires and encourages your heart to stand firm in the tough times and know that overcoming the challenges in your path will propel your life on to even greater heights.


GRIND OR SHINE

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Adversity is the grindstone of life. Intended to polish you up, adversity also has the ability to grind you down. The impact and ultimate result depend on what you do with the difficulties that come your way. Consider the phenomenal achievements of people experiencing adversity.

Beethoven composed his greatest works after becoming deaf. Sir Walter Raleigh wrote the History of the World during a thirteen year imprisonment. If Columbus had turned back, no one could have blamed him, considering the constant adversity he endured. Of course, no one would have remembered him either. Abraham Lincoln achieved greatness by his display of wisdom and character during the devastation of the Civil War. Luther translated the Bible while enduring confinement in the Castle of Wartburg. Under a sentence of death and during twenty years in exile, Dante wrote the Divine Comedy. John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress in a Bedford jail.

Finally, consider a more recent example. Mary Groda-Lewis endured sixteen years of illiteracy because of unrecognized dyslexia, was committed to a reformatory on two different occasions, and almost died of a stroke while bearing a child. Committed to going to college, she worked at a variety of odd jobs to save money, graduated with her high school equivalency at eighteen, was named Oregon's outstanding Upward Bound student, and finally entered college. Determined to become a doctor, she faced fifteen medical school rejections until Albany Medical College finally accepted her. In 1984, Dr. Mary Groda-Lewis, at thirty-five, graduated with honors to fulfill her dream.

Adversity - The Grindstone of Life. Will It Grind You down or Polish You up?


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Psalm 20:6-9 “Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His Holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”

Psalm 37:23-26 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. 


Today's Selected Poem: THE PROMISE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem182.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony27.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry