Adversity: There is a Silver Lining
"I don't quite see
dead people as
yet...but a few
more months of
this and I'll be one
of them!"
Adversity is defined as a state or condition contrary to one of well-being
or an instance of misfortune. Well...that sounds about right. I just seem to
have used up my quota-- and that of a few friends and family members as
well.
The scripture states "All things work together for good
for they who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Until
recently I had issues with that scripture because it just didn't make sense
to me. My thoughts ran the gamut of, I'm almost homeless and that has a
purpose? I don't quite see dead people as yet, but gimmie a few more months
of this and I'll be one of them...this has a purpose? My fiance is about to
become a father, and I'm not pregnant, umm...still searching for the
purpose.
Sometimes it may be that we’re not in the right
location, and we know it but we’re reluctant to move. So God allows the
circumstance that causes us to move to where we’re supposed to be.
Sometimes, we may need to be cut off from all our tasks, duties, jobs,
entertainment, so that we can spend time by ourselves and hear the voice of
God.
Sometimes we may take credit for the gifts of God, so God allows
the downsizing, the voice loss, the carpel tunnel, and so forth so that we
may realize, that we of ourselves can do nothing with out Him.
But
before we can find the silver lining in our adversity, we need to give into
it. Give into it? Yes. Sometimes we're so busy striving against the
adversity we don't pause to examine the purpose. Oops, I said the "P" word
didn't I?
Ah well, it can't be avoided. Pausing the struggle takes our
eyes off of the circumstance long enough so that we can see the underlying
message. After coming out of two years of poverty and depression, I can now
say that I truly understand that adversity is a tool that shows us exactly
who we are so that the necessary process that leads to refinement can
continue. So, no He doesn't want or will bad to or for you or me, but when
He allows it, I’ve learned three things:
- He doesn't allow more
than I can bear, so I take comfort in the knowledge that my God has
confidence in me!
- Even when it breaks me down till I'm weakened
and torn. I take courage in the knowledge that at my weakest His
strength I'll secure.
- Even when it seems to go on and on. I
remind myself that although He never seems to come when I think
He should, He always manages to be right on time!
Cheating: Is It Ever Okay?
"What if
he's treating
her right?"
I was reading a book yesterday as I
waited for the bus. The main character, a blonde Georgia peach, had just
broken up with her fiancé.
While she was out fundraising, he had
cheated on her with a newly hired co-worker, someone Ms. Georgia Peach
considered to be loud, scandalously dressed and improperly made up. Someone
who although she hadn't all the advantages in the world, still spoke her
mind and was comfortable with her sexuality. In fact, this woman was someone
she, herself, had never dared to be.
O...k.
That's the
point where Ms. Georgia got me. That's the point where we connected. Because
I could remember my best friend in high school. She didn't have much...not
much hair, not much clothes, not much looks, (at least not compared to me).
But darn if she didn't have some smarts, some great dimples and some sex
appeal. Whoooooa. (In fact that's how we met, but that's another story you
can read
here).
Anyway, Ms Georgia peach decides to be daring, picks
up a fabulous looking pilot who is in Chicago for his friend's wedding, (Why
is it that the only pilot I've met had a paunch, sparse hair and bad
breath?), and they head back to her apartment.
In the aftermath
discussion, she mentions to Mr. Pilot that her breakup would be such a
disappointment to her mother. Why? Not because her mother wanted her happy,
but because she'd be breaking the mold.
How so? Well, her mother had
knowingly accepted the same behavior from her father for years, how dare Ms.
Georgia Peach act like she'd not been taught better? Trying to act like she
was superior to her elders!
Didn't she know that as long as he was
taking care of business in the bedroom and was providing the bankroll, all
she had to do was make like Queen Elizabeth and smile and wave?
-
Have we become complacent with regards to what constitutes "right"
treatment?
- Have we settled for legalized prostitution?
-
He's late repeatedly, but if he brings a little bling, it's all
forgiven?
- I'll up your allowance if you up your "ig" factor?
What say you ladies?
Posted by Dee at
9:26:00 PM
The Butterfly Principle
By
Christopher Donaldson, Sr.
The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued
the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. ~ Exodus 14:8
Overprotective parents do their children a great injustice. The caterpillar
that lies inside the cocoon will never become the beautiful butterfly if
someone cuts open the cocoon prematurely. It is the struggle itself that
allows the butterfly to emerge as a strong, new creature of nature.
God understands how necessary this process is. That is why we are allowed to
experience difficult, often life-changing events. He even orchestrates
them-all for our benefit. What the Israelites thought was a cruel joke when
Pharaoh sent troops to pursue them after they had been freed and penned
against the shore of the Red Sea became the stage for the most publicized
miracle of all time-the parting of the Red Sea. Generation after generation
has heard this incredible story of deliverance. God puts us against the "Red
Seas" in order to show His power in and through us. If we do not know God
can deliver, then we can never learn to trust Him. Circumstances that go
beyond our capabilities of solving them place us at God's complete mercy.
This is how He likes it.
Do not fear the calamity that comes your
way. If you are faithful to Him in the test, you will see God's power
manifested like never before. Just as the Israelites were able to sing a
song of deliverance, you too will have your own testimony of the Lord's
faithfulness; and you will be able to recall it for others to build your
faith and theirs.
Copyright (c) 2005 by Christopher Donaldson,
Sr.
Posted by Dee at
8:36:00 PM
