WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
There is abundance in adversity.
This seems like it may not be true, but I am going to tell you that it is. For sure it is! I have experienced it in the past and I am in the midst of a season of adversity which is hard a lot of days, and there is sorrow sometimes and it looks like there are unfortunate things happening. To be honest it looks like everything is going wrong on some fronts.
I would say it is all about perspective though. I love this verse and it is on my wall at Habitué in the front of the house. It says that he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. That is a beautiful promise and I have lived by it and will continue. No matter what. We don’t refresh others because we want anything back, but we have made that our ministry and our motive – to come alongside of others and bring refreshment for their good and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Side by Side is what we do and it happens everywhere we are and all day long. We come alongside others to point them to Jesus and we also partner in the gospel and that looks a lot of times like refreshing others. It’s not about whether we feel like it or it is easy or giving out of abundance. It sometimes means giving out of our poverty, or when it looks and feels like we don’t have it to give – physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, etc.
That’s when we feel it the most and it is when we grow the most. It’s good for us to give in whatever way we need to, and do it for Jesus and for the Kingdom. To give and to trust and to wait and watch for God to do what only He can do. In Psalm 66:10 -14 says this:
You brought us into the net; You laid a heavy burden on us. You made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet you brought us out into a place of abundance (to be refreshed). I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings; I shall pay You my vows, which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke as a promise when I was in distress.
This sounds to me like what John 15:1-11 is talking about. I sense that God has been showing me that what feels like continual bad news is God the vinedresser repeatedly pruning my branch so that I will bear even richer and finer fruit from verse 2. He has shown me that there is much fruit and good things happening in the midst of the adversity and that we remain in His love and not doubt.
Yes, I believe there is an abundance of good and growth in the midst of the difficulties and I want to encourage others to believe and receive. If I don’t believe it and receive it then it is all for nothing and the suffering is hard and it can cause bitterness and regret. I’m so grateful and I see the goodness of the Lord and His faithfulness.
Are you willing to see what is really happening or are you going to just see it from your own perspective? Please consider these things.
- Stand back far enough and take time to seek God for what He wants you to see. In order to do that you have to stop complaining and brooding. Open your eyes to what God has for you to see and tell Him.
- Give thanks in all things and also think about others around you and how they might need you to see and respond to what is happening.
- Remember the promises of God and that He will use all things together for good to those that love God, to those that are the called according to His purpose.
- Last, and most important really, confidently trust God to take care of you and whatever it is that you hold so tightly to. Remember His perfect love that casts out fear.
When pruning comes, it can hurt and you may feel vulnerable, but it is all for good so that there can be more growth and better fruit. We are at a turning point and we have to choose whether we will believe God and receive His best for us or be fearful and upset and full of grief and sorrow and feel sorry for ourselves. They look so different and will end so different. It’s ok to feel and we are human, but don’t let your feelings rule you. Give them to Jesus and let Him hold your heart. Refresh others always and be refreshed. It’s always there for you.
Psalm 119: 71,72 says this – “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. The law from Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
