Navigating times of adversity
How do you navigate times of adversity?
Challenges and hardships are inevitable in life, and recently, our family experienced a profound loss. Many have asked how we cope. The only answer I can give is this: before our beloved wife and mother passed away, we had already built our faith in God. That foundation gave us the strength to lean on Him when the storm came.
If we wait until tragedy strikes to seek God, we may struggle to establish the relationship we need. But if we are growing in faith and learning about God’s ways before hard times arrive, we won’t find ourselves searching for Him when they do. Instead, we will find Him present and faithful, right in our midst.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul writes about a thorn in the flesh-a struggle he faced. He pleaded with God three times to remove it, but God did not. Even so, Paul was able to praise and depend on Him. This kind of response requires a shift in perspective. From a worldly view, it may seem impossible to endure suffering with strength and hope. But for those who have cultivated a relationship with God, His grace changes everything.
Paul’s words remind us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we surrender our burdens to Him, we find His grace sufficient, even in the most trying circumstances. So, when adversity comes, approach God boldly. Trust Him to carry your burdens and transform your pain into strength.
