Acceptance

We all face hardships in life. Adversity does not discriminate.  This is true for both Christians and non-Christians.  However, as Christians, how we respond to adverse situations will determine whether our walk with the Lord is a winning walk.  

There are three areas of adversity in our lives: pressures, problems, and people. When adversity comes how can God's people respond in a way that is pleasing to the Lord? 

First, we must realize that God's purpose for adversity is character development.  God is not concerned about our comfort, but our character.  He desires for his children to share in his holiness; therefore, he uses adversity as a tool to develop that character. Sometimes the Lord uses adversity for correcting his children.  Other times he uses adversity for perfecting his children.  Both are equally painful.    

Second, we must understand that God's motive for adversity is love.  God wants us to be more like Jesus; therefore, he uses pressures, problems, and people at tools to develop godly character.  He does this because he loves his children.  We belong to him, and he wants the best for us.  He wants us to experience the blessings of having a winning walk with the Lord.    

Third, when we realize God's purpose for adversity is character development, and his motive is love, then we are able to accept our situations, and truly trust God to finish in us what he started.  We can also trust the Lord to work all things that happen to us for good.  The ultimate blessing, of course, is being conformed in the image of Jesus Christ.

I have learned that the most beneficial experiences in my walk with the Lord have been the most painful experiences.  

What kind of trials are you going through now? What is your attitude towards God?  What is your attitude towards the trial?  

Let me know if I can pray for you!