Find the Way to Persevere

            

 Joseph was thirty years old when he became governor of Egypt, second in command to the king. That was a miraculous achievement for a young Hebrew who came to Egypt as a slave, who spent time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When confronted with adversity, he instinctively found practical uses for the gifts and talents God assigned to him.  

 

 What gave Joseph encouragement and confidence when confronted with adversity and hardships were God’s assuring gifts of faith and hope. When we accept adversity as a part of life that can be survived, our self-confidence is enhanced. A healthy self-esteem assures you that you can manage the ordeals life hurls your way.



The assurance adversity provides is that with God’s help you will know you are never forsaken or abandoned by him. Isaiah 30:20 promises, "Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction," he will be present to make a way for you to persevere. Adversity provides insight on how to live your life by faith.    

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You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.

~Psalm 27:1 Contemporary English Version  

But even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you.

~Psalm 56:3 Contemporary English Version

Suffering: Friend or Foe?

A decade after Joseph arrived in Egypt, he occupied the second most powerful position in the government. God revealed in Pharaoh’s dreams that there would be seven years of abundant harvest followed by seven years of drought. Joseph managed programs to save the nation from starvation. He constructed warehouses and filled them with grain during in the seven years of abundance.

What made Joseph trustworthy? First, he never promoted himself as special. He gave God credit for interpreting Pharaoh's dreams. He saw himself only as God’s messenger. He never asked Pharaoh for privileges because he believed God had provided for him and protected him through all the suffering he had endured.

Suffering is often considered an enemy and a sign of God’s punishment. Adversity, though not always from God, can be used to strengthen your faith as well as your character. When harsh conditions are approaching, let them be the means for renewing your faith and trust in God. He will cleanse you and provide a more perfect way to live. 

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And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.

~Romans 8:28 The Living Bible

Half-hearted Prophets and Compromised Faith - Part 2

Becoming a half-hearted follower of Christ Jesus may be connected to discounting God’s purpose and plan for your life. Being a follower of Jesus does not come easily, and no clear-thinking Christian would say their life has been free of temptations and obstructions. Some people mistakenly think they will escape hardship and pain if they acquire wealth and power.

Balaam, an Old Testament character, acknowledged God verbally but was committed to practicing sin and evil. Perhaps Balaam was never fully committed to God, but sometimes served him either out of fear or because he was better off economically and socially for having done so. St. Paul makes it clear that “the wages of sin is death.”

Sin creates a half-hearted, lukewarm desire to serve Christ Jesus. God, however, is a keen observer and will erect obstructions as a rebuke so we can return to the straight way, the way of righteousness. While adversity is hard to cope with, God will provide a way not only to cope, but to find opportunity for growth and change.  

Bouncing Back and Pressing On - Part 2

There were thousands of people who came to our city of Houston from Vietnam and other Asian countries to escape the ravages of war. What has amazed me is the resilience of these people to overcome numerous hardships and become responsible citizens making significant contributions to our society.

Resilience is an inner strength that makes it possible to keep an objective identified clearly and in sharp focus. Albert Einstein, the German-born physicist, developed the theories of special and general relativity. He acknowledged that God gave him the insight to develop these formulas and prove they worked.

The Apostle Paul suffered numerous hardships but said his faith was strengthened by adversity. His attitude is an antidote for discouragement because it testifies of humility and resilience rather than conceit and failure. Listen to Paul's declaration from Philippians 3:8. "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus." This affirmation can be your source for resilience.