Day 8- After the Rain, Earth Hardens

Life is full of challenges, in fact, with it's obstacles, twists, turns and loops; the emotional roller coaster of life is perhaps by far the most amazing thrill ride yet. However, during our times of adversity, we may not compare our lives to the excitement and thrill of a roller coaster but perhaps we may instead compare it to a painful, turbulent walk through hell.

Many people may look at life and think of it as being difficult. They see everything wrong in the world and in their own lives, so much so that they don't even realize that everyone; before our time, during our time and even after our time has faced, is facing or will face turmoil, just like we do.

For example, the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians; 
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13
Therefore, not even the great apostle Paul was exempt from 
adversity, however he understood that God, who loved him, gave him the strength that he needed to face each adversity. 

Everyone, since perhaps the beginning of time, have asked themselves why they must face the difficulties that they did. Answers have been sought and answers have been found; maybe it was punishment from God for sins committed, maybe it was due to a generational curse. As time evolved so did the answers; maybe it's due to bad genes or perhaps they haven't been properly educated. 

The truth is much simpler though; the many adversities that we face, however painful they may seem, or unfair they are or intimidating they may be, they are there simply to help us grow. 

You may think, 'Well surely that couldn't be true! God wouldn't put me in such a difficult situation just so that I grow'. But in fact, that is the precise reason why you're going through whatever you are. 1 Peter 1:6-7 states;"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

This is scripture is saying that our adversity is there in order to increase our faith in God. To put it another way; just like a coal must be put under pressure to become a diamond so to must we undergo trials in order to develop into something more beautiful than we are. Like a Chinese Proverb says "A diamond with a flaw is worth more than a pebble without imperfections"

No one would understand this better than Job, lot's of unfair things happened to him, not over the expanse of many years or months but in one day everything Job treasured was taken away from him. His friends chastised him but I love his response, he said in Job 13:15
"Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him". It takes a lot of faith to trust in God when the world is against you, it takes even greater faith to trust in God when it may seem like even he is against you, but that was the faith of Job; a type of faith we should all strive for.

Another point worth remembering is that all things work together for good for those who loves God Romans 8:28. What that means is that although you may be going through some pretty tough times right now, all these things are going to fit together perfectly in God's master plan for your life. 1 year or maybe 5 years from now you may realize that the adversity you went through today was preparing you or guiding you to something far greater, beyond your sight at this time. 

Always remember when you're going through Life's storms that God loves you and that each of our lives on Earth is a temporary state of existence, also that trials are there to make us stronger!

I hope to encourage you today and to do so I thought that this poem might be useful; 

Don't Quit by Edgar A. Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.