How God Turns Adversity into Opprtunity

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity

A Biographical ApproachTo An Ancient Question

By Ken Hennessey

This book is dedicated to my wife, Patricia Ann, who has suffered with me and sustained me with her devotion and affection when I was at my lowest point with little hope of recovery. She is proof that God can use us if we


are willing to turn it all over to Him. I want to acknowledge her steadfastness to our marriage when I was unable to support her as a husband should.

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CHAPTER 1—A LOOK BACK ................................................... 15 CHAPTER 2—I BEGIN TO SEE PURPOSE ................................ 29 CHAPTER 3—TIME FOR SOME PHYSICAL CHANGES .............. 41 CHAPTER 4—GROWTH IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS ..................... 50 CHAPTER 6—INSPIRATION .................................................... 78 CHAPTER 7—CHOICES .......................................................... 85 CHAPTER 8—WITNESS ........................................................ 105 CHAPTER 9—DEATH ........................................................... 110 CHAPTER 10—JOY ............................................................... 123 CHAPTER 11—HOPE ............................................................ 126 WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WON’T LEAVE US HELPLESS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT HE BRINGS OUR WAY. HE PROMISED US A WAY OUT BY WHICH WE CAN OVERCOME OUR CIRCUMSTANCES (I CORINTHIANS 10:13) SO THAT DURING TESTS WE WILL BENEFIT IF WE BUT YIELD OUR DEPENDENCE TO HIM. HE KNOWS OUR ENDURANCE LEVEL SINCE HE CREATED US. HE KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH IN US AND HOW HE IS GOING TO BRING IT ABOUT: “LOOK, I GO FORWARD, BUT HE IS NOT THERE, AND BACKWARD, BUT I CANNOT PERCEIVE HIM; WHEN HE WORKS ON THE LEFT HAND, I CANNOT BEHOLD HIM; WHEN HE TURNS TO THE RIGHT HAND, I CANNOT SEE HIM. BUT HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE; WHEN HE HAS TESTED ME, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD.” (JOB 23:8-17) ................... 129 CHAPTER 12—THE GOSPEL—OUR CONNECTION WITH GOD ........................................................................................... 132 CHAPTER 13—REWARD ...................................................... 136 CHAPTER 14—GOD IS IN CONTROL .................................... 140

First printing: September 2005Second Printing: December 2005

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2005 by Ken HennesseyPublished by Pathfinder’s Fellowship

[email protected]. pathfinderfellowship.org

Cover Art: Clickart (RELCOL82.JPG)

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Contents


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Introduction

"So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.

Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!' But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips.' (Job 2:7-10)

This was written about a Gentile during the time of the Patriarchs and covers a time period similar to Abraham’s day so it outlines an age-old problem: how do we hold fast yet accept adversity? Job evidently knew of the true God and he was a humble, earnest worshipper of Jehovah even though he had no acquaintance with the written Word of his day.

For us to be earnest in our worship of God, we may have to accept similar adversity. In this same chapter Job is described as “one who fears God and shuns evil.” The “fear of the Lord” is a phrase of Old Testament piety and means a reverential trust with a hatred of evil. Satan played the same game against Job that he played against Adam and Eve, aiming to seduce him from his faith in God and rob him of his integrity by provoking Job to curse God.

He used adversity of a different sort in another worshipper’s life. Samson was the son of Manoah, born at Zorah. The narrative of his life is given in Judges 13-16. He was a “Nazarite unto God” from his birth, the first Nazarite mentioned in Scripture. God had prepared him with incredible strength against the Philistines but his infatuation for the Philistine harlot Delilah caused

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Introduction

him to wander from God’s grace so he lost his endowment.

He finally told Delilah (who was in secret alliance with Philistine soldiers) the secret of his strength: “If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” The Philistines captured him, blinded him, and put him to work in prison at Gaza to grind grain.

His strength returned when they called for him to perform at a temple celebration of their god Dagon. Positioning himself between two supporting pillars, he prayed this prayer: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”

He perished in the last terrible destruction he brought upon his enemies. However, “the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.”

I sustained a near-fatal motorcycle accident in California in the summer of '97 that left me disabled. Much like Samson, I had to wrestle with emotions and images that begged the question, “God...why?” The answer came gradually and maybe, not yet fully, but I decided to record my thoughts in this book entitled “How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity.” The first edition was an 87-page autobiographical approach to the question “why do bad things happen to good people” that developed as a result of my accident and rubbing shoulders with disabled friends.

The book is by no means a classic or best-seller, but it does give a very personal view of the sovereignty of God. It is loaded with scripture so it might make a good missive for a Bible study on the subject of God's control in our lives. In this revised edition there is more content, more correct grammar, and more photos. One chapter is devoted to what occurred on that fateful day

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of Thursday, July 17, 1997 and how it lead to a wisdom-seeking pilgrimage.

I don't plan to write any more books, but I never planned this one, either! As you read this book pray that God will give you a morsel to chew on that feeds your soul. Also pray its message will get into the hands of people whom it can really help. After you read it you might want to give a copy to someone who is going through trials of his own. The gospel is presented clearly, so it can be used to witness to the lost as well.

The message found in this book is primarily for those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord though the principles found herein from the Bible can apply to all readers.

The words of Psalm 23 have brought comfort to many people during their trials. These words speak of the Lord's desire to guide us safely through all of life's adversity, including death, to His heavenly home.

Jesus Christ is the Shepherd so beautifully described in this psalm. In John 10:11 Christ said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Jesus gave His life for you and me, to pay for our sins.

In Isaiah 53:6 we read, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Jesus died for us and rose again, forever breaking the power of sin and death. And now, He promises: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)

You can trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. Then the promises of this beloved psalm will be yours and the message of this book will become more meaningful for you.

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Is God all-powerful or not? Is He in control or just a spectator? How could a gracious God allow personal tragedies or allow our hopes and dreams to be shattered? Why did my family and I have to go though a cataclysmic upheaval from a motorcycle accident that left me disabled? Does God just tossing a dice to see whose turn it is to suffer? Was He suggesting I needed to pay for some sin in my life? “God, are You up there?” was my cry.

One of the oldest dilemmas facing mankind is recorded in the Bible in Job. The narrative reminds us that even in the midst of our suffering, God is worthy of praise. He is absolutely sovereign so has every right to do whatever he chooses. He has, however, given us certain promises and guidelines and due to his attribute of love, has weighted His might with grace and mercy toward us.

We may not be able to analyze every situation, but in times of distress we are prone to ask how it is possible to reconcile God being good, merciful and faithful with events He obviously allows to take place. Sometimes we suffer problems because of our way of living; however, like Job, after we’ve analyzed our relationship to God and determined that we’re not “reaping what we’ve sown,” and are sure God is not “punishing good or rewarding evil,” we come to a place of understanding how the immeasurable wisdom and power of God drives us to our knees. How do we show our faith and how does He prove Himself if we believe through circumstances that He has lost control when He hasn’t the power to stop tragedy from occurring? Finally, how can something so horrendous be “God’s will?”

A friend of mine who was going through a trial of cancer was told that because of personal sin in her life she needed to fall on her knees and repent. She later explained “how misguided was that person to believe God punishes His children in such a way. There have

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been so many ways this experience has enabled me to reach others. Most of all, I have grown closer to the Lord, [enabled] to understand so many things He is [teaching] us. This [experience] has been such a blessing and I praise Him in every situation He has brought me through.”

I want to examine the subject of adversity as it relates to a Christian and see if we can decide emphatically if suffering can be a part of God’s plan for us and if it can, what hope can we hold on to. First, allow me to introduce this treatise with a humorous story that relates to the theme:

An elderly lady was well known for her faith and for her boldness in talking about it. She would stand on her front porch and shout, “Praise the Lord!” Next door to her lived an atheist who would get so angry at her proclamations that he would shout, “There ain't no Lord!”

Hard times set in on the elderly lady, and she prayed for God to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted, “Praise the Lord! God, I need food. I am having a hard time. Please, Lord, send me some groceries.”

The next morning, the lady went out on her porch and noted a large bag of groceries and shouted, “Praise the Lord!”

The neighbor jumped from behind a bush and said, “Ha...Ha. I told you there was no Lord! I bought those groceries, myself! God didn't!”

The lady started jumping up and down and clapping her hands and saying, “Praise the Lord! He not only sent me groceries, but He made the Devil pay for them! Praise the Lord!”

Today, Wednesday, December 31, 2003, as a challenge to begin a new year, I am starting a journal to record my thoughts as they occur. What I will be

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recording will be “spur-of-the-moment” thoughts. I tend to think and write in a “stream of consciousness” method—something I excelled at in my high school days. The idea to write this all down came as a result of sending an article from “Our Daily Bread” entitled “Unanswered Prayer” to several people on November 30, 2003 via E-mail.

The devotional encouraged its readers to read the Bible passage in Matthew, chapter 26, verses 36 through 44 where it talks about how Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane in Israel and asked them to wait for Him while He prayed the following prayer: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will,” then “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

The author, Vernon Grounds, made a parallel between Christ’s prayer and a friend afflicted with an illness for which there was no medical cure, yet God seemingly denied repeated requests for healing. He then cited an article by Carol Bradley that tells us about the wisdom of Craig Satterlee, a seminary professor in Chicago. He was legally blind since birth, with only 20 percent of normal vision, yet did not complain, saying that he believed wholeheartedly that God had given him something even better.

“I am whole,” he said, “even though I am legally blind.” He went on to say, “I don't believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power and presence of God, so I pray.” He added, “We know that God brings light out of darkness, life out of death, hope out of despair. That's what Scripture teaches us.”

The thought that so many other Christians around the world are prayng to God at the same moment as we should never cause us to feel that our needs are any less important to God. Instead, knowing that He is present everywhere simultaneously, is infinitely wise,

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and has unlimited power, we can be assured that He is giving us His full consideration.

I realize prayer isn't a way to get God to do whatever we want. It's more of an expression of our trust in His power, wisdom, and grace so that no matter what we ask God to do for us, we are to have the attitude of Jesus, who said, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” In my own personal life, I had to ask “how should I react to tragic events like my motorcycle accident? When upsetting experiences would come to create an atmosphere of darkness and gloom, how should I respond? The example on May 19, 1780 of a judge in Connecticut, Abraham Davenport, gives an illustration of hope to keep pressing onward.

Many members of the Connecticut legislature were urging adjournment because a gloomy day was turning gloomier. Abraham Davenport, however, proclaimed to his colleagues, “I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought.”

The apostle Paul had a similar determination. Even though he had faced severe hardship and opposition, and was hearing gloomy news about his future, he was determined to “finish [his] race with joy.” (Acts 20:24) I have decided to have that quiet confidence in my Lord and remain faithful in serving Him. Everyone has probably experienced some form of suffering but it’s not so much the pain that should be our focus but what we do with the pain.

Job said it was unavoidable, Paul said expect it as part of God’s plan, Peter said we were appointed to it, and Jesus said don’t fear it but just go with Him through it! They were talking about problems, troubles, and afflictions. What are they, why do they come, and how should we respond to them?

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The Christian life will sometimes be painful and full of problems. The affliction in our lives is much like the fires of Daniel 3: they only burned away that which hindered the three young men from walking with the Lord in the fiery furnace! So in our lives affliction burns away what hinders our walk! Affliction scrapes away what is not part of God’s plans for our lives. Psalm 119:71 reads “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.”

What is adversity from the human standpoint?Adversity is the ill treatment Hagar got from her

jealous boss Sarah recorded in Genesis, chapter 16. Adversity is the lack of love that Leah got from her husband Jacob in Genesis 29. Adversity is the lost wages and broken promises Jacob got from Laban in Genesis 31. Adversity is the hatred, jealousy, and betrayal that Joseph experienced from his brothers in Genesis 41. Adversity is the underpayment and overwork of the Hebrews by unkind and evil masters in Exodus 3. Adversity is the pain Hannah endured because of her inability to have children in I Samuel 1. It is described in Psalm 119 as emotional or physical state of misery through affliction.

But God can use adversity to pull us back and keep us on His path. Psalm 119:67 tells us that before we are afflicted we go on a wrong path but afterward we examine our steps to see if they line up with His Word. Psalm 119:75 teaches us that adversity can remind us that everything the Lord does is good and right. Psalm 119:153 gives us hope that adversity can lead the way to a personal tutorial from our Divine Teacher when we have an opportunity to “delight” in Him rather than cave under our troubles. When we are faced by strong adversity it comes with a promise from God for a special delivery with everything we need.

Experience seems to dictate a different answer, however. When adversity strikes we are apt to ask, “Why me?” When we ask the question, what we really

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want is assurance that everything is under God’s control. Taking something bad and turning into something good is not immediately on our agenda during trying times. Hopefully we can learn from our devastating circumstances but understanding why something is happening to us takes an in-depth look at the workings and character of God.

For those who are outside the realm of God's peace, hardship is something to avoid. For such a person it is not possible to believe anything positive can come out of such pressure. For those who have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), God has turned affliction into blessing.

Yes, life can be tough but that's because we live in a sin-cursed world (Genesis, chapter 3) and we often suffer because of the consequence of this sin (Galatians, chapter 6). However, the Bible has the answers to our problems (Psalms, chapter 19). Let's face it: we are not in control of this life (Habukkuk chapter 3) We have to depend upon Him to turn our afflictions into something positive (Romans, chapter 8).

No, you're not going to find answers to every single specific problem you'll face but you can turn to the Scriptures to find an example or a principal that will guide you through your dilemma. The Bible is not some type of “self-help” manual on coping with life, but it explains the character of Christ who has gone before us in suffering and Who has conquered the sin and its woes.

We learn from Him not to become self focused. Affliction tends to turn our eyes off of God and on to ourselves and it is a human tendency to think that everything in life is about us specifically. For the Christian the focus of life should be on God and our fellow humans, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. It is difficult to comprehend that suffering may be all about something other than us. We tend to want to plan our own life to make us happy.

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Just as Jonah eventually came to realize his purpose in life and the great fish became his transportation (“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: ‘I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me.’” [Jonah 2:1 and 2]) as we accept God's purpose we will begin to understand that the crises of life are meant to glorify God and fulfill his purposes and we won’t be prone to ask “why me?”

It is like the excursion I took into Merrimac caves in Missouri. The park ranger turned off the lights at one point. It was ominously dark! I could sense confusion in that darkness even though I understood that the guide had done this many times before and had the power to dispel our fears with one simple flick of a switch. I was immediately ready for the illumination, but the ranger delayed the remedy to allow us to experience the full effect of the occasion! God, too, brings us through periods of darkness, desiring to draw us closer to Him for comfort and guidance but we are too impatient to wait for God’s time for us to learn and understand.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” (II Corinthians 4:8-11)

My computer’s electronic mailbox contained several responses to my forwarding of the afore-mentioned “Daily Bread” devotional message. One caught my attention. The author said “When I got saved I asked God to just take away my pain which was on a level 10—10 being the greatest. Immediately it was gone--never has it returned to that level and even though the disease still ravages my body daily, there is

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no physical manifestation of the disease in my body--no pain of any kind and no suffering.”

I wrote back to this gentleman that I would not sacrifice spiritual blessings as a result of this physical handicap and its daily spiritual enrichment for a physical healing. I could have died but did not—that was a miracle. I ‘should’ have been a 'vegetable' but am not--that is a miracle. I should be in extreme debt because of the thousands of dollars in medical bills but am not--that's a miracle. There are at least three miracles that I enjoy that I couldn't without having had my accident. This sounds strange and ridiculous to anyone who has never experienced adversity, but my accident was actually a blessing and my present condition reminds me of that.

Do we look for healing in God's powerful Word? Not just read it but believe it and put its teachings into practice? Those who are plagued by persistent adversity should read Jeremiah where they can find the key to healing. Jeremiah, despite difficulties and hardships, found joy in the words of the Lord. The psalmist loved God's commandments, as well: “I will delight myself in Your commandments...I will meditate on Your statutes.” (Psalm:119:47-48) “The Bible contains the vitamins for soul health.” (Dr. De Haan)

Jesus cares when we hurt and suffer loss. In Luke 7:12-13 He came to a city where the sole child died of a widower and was being carried out of her home. The Bible says that “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.” In Mark 1:40 and 41 a leper came to Him, begging to heal him. Jesus was “moved with compassion” and healed him. Jesus knows our hurts and understands our grief because He experienced the greatest betrayal, suffering, pain and loss that a person could ever experience. Isaiah tells us our Lord suffered willingly (Isaiah 53.5). If Christ loved us so much that He willingly submitted to torture and death on our behalf

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we can find comfort knowing He cares for us when our heart is broken and our lives are a mess.

At the waters of Marah, the Lord told Moses to throw a tree into the water, which made it “sweet” and drinkable (Exodus 15:25). Marah means “bitter” in Hebrew. When another “tree,” (Jesus) is “cast into” the bitter circumstances of our lives, it can make them “sweet” (“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” [I Peter 2:24]) Our outlook will be changed as we consider His submission to the will of God (“Father, if you are willing, take this cup [speaking of the sacrificial death on the cross awaiting Him] from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” [Luke 22:42]) We may not understand why our Lord permits certain trials to come our way, yet it is the will of our Father and Friend, whose wisdom and love are infinite.

There are a many books on the subject of how God turns trauma into blessing and even some television shows that point out how human near-tragedies turned into victories. My example is not necessarily a rare nor astounding case of study but it does give a down-to-earth look at how God meets our needs in ways that we sometimes don’t understand or even agree with! Here I am, unable to walk unassisted, but able to find hope in a painful world.

I am reminded of the ordeals of Joni Earekson Tada. After her dive into shallow lake waters, she was left a quadriplegic. She was a Christian young lady with plans to go to college but in the summer of 1967 her plans were drastically altered! For years she searched for meaning. She would implore, “How could You [speaking to God] let this happen to me?” She would think, “I can’t go on like this!” Later, she acknowledged that God responds to the needy and said, “If I can’t die, show me how to live.” Today she has authored over 25 books, appeared in at least 35 countries, paints

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inspirational art with just her mouth, sings to the glory of God, and has organized “Joni and Friends,” a ministry that provides scholarships for needy children to Christian camps, helps the feeble in nursing homes, provides wheel chairs to handicapped individuals, and delivers radio broadcasts of hope. She often speaks of embracing life and Christ in local churches around the country. Her testimony reminds me of the saying: “A little is much when God is in it.”

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How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Purpose

Chapter 1—A Look Back

This day begins the month of January in 2004. January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. He was symbolized as a man with two faces, one looking back and the other looking ahead.

A new year is an opportunity for new beginnings. W. R. Hunt wrote a “New Year’s Prayer” that reminds us to not take for granted friends that enter our life and gives us a list of things to ask God for in the New Year:

“Dear Lord, please give me a few friendsWho understand me and yet remain my friends;

A work to do which has real value,Without which the world would feel the poorer;

A mind unafraid to travel even though the trail be not blazed;

An understanding heart and a sense of humor;Time for quiet, silent meditation;A feeling of the presence of God;

And the patience to wait for the coming of these things,With the wisdom to know them when they come.”

I should trace a little of my history so you can relate back to the singular event that prompted me to pen these words. This biographical sketch of my accident will have little meaning if you don’t know the backdrop of what preceded. What goes on before leads to the question, “OK, what did I do to deserve this?” I was born February 14, 1951.

Yes, I’m a Valentine’s baby! I’m just grateful my mom didn’t name me Valentino like she thought she would. That would have been a hard name to live up to considering the actor Rudolf Valentino born in 1895 in Italy who

became a sex-symbol of movies in America during the

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“roaring 20’s” and wrote the autobiography “The Romance of Rudolf Valentino's Adventurous Life.” My dad is Ken M. Hennessey and my mom is Evelyne M. (Block) Hennessey. I have a younger brother named Frederick Mark and an older brother whom I’ve never met named Terrance. I was raised in a small college town of Mankato in Minnesota.

I was no mental giant in school but what I lacked in gray matter I made up in persistence—a trait that would later become important in my life. I fell madly in love with my Kindergarten teacher but had a rude awakening in my first-grade teacher! We lived about a block from the elementary school until we moved to a farm and I was relocated to a different elementary school for third through sixth grade.

I was relocated once again, to another school, this time because of a bus transportation redistricting, but only for a short while before I began my middle teens in junior high school. It was here in seventh grade that I met John Krause, who would become a life-long friend. I now correspond with him and compare notes on family life. We investigated our common interest of science together all the way through high school. He was the one to continue on with these pursuits to the end of becoming a researcher in the field of quarks. I don’t even know what a quark is.

I remember that seventh grade was when I began looking at girls differently. I suddenly began to notice things about them that I never had up to this point. During those junior high school days I experienced the typical woes of being a pre-adolescent: hating my looks, bodily exploration, self-reinvention, authority disapproval, nicknames, and obsession with the opposite sex.

It wasn’t until my high school days that I made a few decisions that I believed would mold my future. I had already changed church attendance but I took a more aggressive role in the church. Leadership in my

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Sunday school class lead to an extended course of events that shaped my future distinctively and momentously. God had in mind something much better than what I could have imagined at that moment, however.

When I graduated from high school, I thought I would escape my strict home environment by moving to a school campus in South Carolina. At a private, Christian college, however, I was confronted with rules that were harder to tolerate than those at home! Attendance there did provide finesse in social skills and integrity in religious endeavors, however. At Bob Jones University I met Margaret Packer whom I later wed and brought four loving children into thee world.

I’m a measly 5’ 10” but I make up for it in weight—I’m about 200 pounds. I have brown hair (well, except for the grey!) I’m part Irish. With a name like Hennessey you hope so, right? I mostly read technical manuals, but also the Bible and religious articles—sometimes a fictional book. I wrote this autobiography, which was a new “stretch.”

Before I became a printer, I taught high school students for a time immediately after marriage. I was actively involved with my local church and unwittingly depended upon my heritage for my spiritual needs. I seemingly had all the right words and actions to pass for a “Christian” but inwardly there was a void. Not until a preacher’s message sunk in through to my spirit did I actually depend on a finished work of redemption by Christ.

Our family moved to southern California where I continued my printing career. I began on a small printing press. Because this seemed to be a talent I didn’t realize I possessed, I moved quickly to larger presses. I learned a great deal and steadily advanced in proficiency and earnings until I was running a large 2-color offset press and

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eventually was promoted to a foreman. I tried to learn as much as I could from my co-workers and employer, but spent far too much time in my career and not with my family. This lasted about 20 years until God wanted my full attention.

A decision that evolved many years later into near calamity was made to purchase a motorcycle. I drove

the “wheels” every day 30 miles to work and back home for nearly 17 years. From most everyone’s viewpoint I was pressing my luck. I will later outline the catastrophe that resulted, but for now I’ll simply

say the purchase led to inconceivable turning point in my life.

I had played basketball in high school and my youngest daughter followed in my path so I understand and appreciate the game and will watch one now and then, but I don’t follow the national teams. The Vikings are big here in Minnesota, but I’m not into football. I guess I pay attention to tennis and soccer only because my son, KC, and daughter, Sharee, were active in those sports, but I prefer chess—not that I’m great at it, but I like its complexity and unpredictability.

There are many people who had impact on my young life but a few stand out in my memory. Marilyn Michel, the wife of my high school Pastor, mentored me as an Amway distributor. Marilyn’s friendship was my first exposure to domestic life in a Pastor’s home. It was back then that I got my first glimpse into her “soul” and was truly thankful for knowing the “woman behind the man.”

‘Pastor John’ got me on a road that I would travel through life. He never gave up on children, and his persistence became the magnet that drew children to the Bible and God. There were numerous times when my Mom called him for help with her son! Even back then my minister was molding my life. To think that

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what we have become today is partly due to influences yesterday. I deeply respected him for his unwavering stand in the Gospel and for his endeavors to help folks understand it and believe it. He has many God-given talents but what sets him apart in my mind is how he invested them wisely for the cause of Christ.

Another person who molded my life was my Sunday school teacher, Dick Friend. He took special interest in me during high school. I remember going with him on his truck route to deliver cold cuts to various vendors. He would introduce me to each vendor as his “helper” which gave me a sense of worth with pride. Because of his “down-to-earth” approach at counseling, I was able to grapple with those “big” questions that plague most teenagers. I came out almost adult-like in my rationale.

Pete and Joanne Jaeger, a married couple in my church, had teenagers of their own. Somehow they managed to attract teens in need. There was nothing neither outstanding nor striking about them; yet, teens confided their secret troubles to them in search of answers that would guide them. Often, the Jaegers would open their farm home to church-sponsored youth activities. One characteristic that impressed me as a youth was their desire to kindly indoctrinate young people to lead God-fearing and honest lives. Being fun-loving parents, they used humor to get this point across.

One of their children was Nicky. I didn’t chum with him much but he unknowingly influenced my life. Nicky seemed quiet but he always “stood his ground” when it came to important issues. I admired him for this quality. No doubt, his parents had instilled steadfastness and the ability to prioritize his demands.

Another family that held a special power over my life was Harold and Francine Wishart with their children David and Sheryl. A contemporary of mine, Sheryl had a “magical” power over me! Her outward beauty did

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not captivate me as much as her inward beauty. She was very consistent in the expression of her spiritual life and put real meaning in her walk with her Master, and that caught my eye. Dave impressed me with his intelligence but he was not a contemporary schoolmate whom I hung around with much, so his influence on my life was minimal until later years when he became my Sunday school teacher.

I had and have great respect for these people of resilience, self-control, tolerance and meekness who “esteem others greater than” themselves. It took a lot to bridal their fears in the face of what appeared to be insurmountable odds as teens. I thank God that He knows the future and we can only do today what He sees fit for us in the moment. I know that when one loves people and gives of himself and family to see to other’s needs, it’s not easy facing life’s challenges but we must continually remember who’s ultimately in control. All we can do is try to please Him in all that we do and trust He’ll take care of the details. I value family though I nearly blew it with my first one—left them for another gal. The kids are all grown up with families of their own so they are beginning to see how difficult it can be, but I called each of them to apologize and they aren’t holding a grudge. Even their mom called to show her care and forgiveness. I guess it helps that we’re all Christians so that we have the power to really love

I had four children from that marriage. My oldest, born September 30, 1972, Margaret Lynnise, was named after her mom and two aunts. At this writing she and her

husband, Jeff, already have five children of their own. Our second child, born July 2, 1974, was named after me in

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case we didn’t have any boys: Kendra Leigh. She has one daughter with her husband, Ray. We did have the boy on September 24, 1975 so we named him after the two grandpas: Kenneth Carl. He and his wife, Tracy, have a boy and a girl. My last child born to Margaret and me was Evelyne Dawn, named after my mom. She was born September on the 27, 1977. She has one son.

I remarried and had a daughter named Sharee Irene born April 9, 1988. I became the step-dad to two sons Chad Michel Suchy born March 14, 1975 and Wayne Robert Suchy born September 1,

1970.I mentioned I would go into more detail regarding

my motorcycle days. The calamity that I only referred to I now want to share with you in more detail.

I looked through a box of “mementos” of my motorcycle accident of July 1997 and was impressed by the magnitude of friendship and caring that was exhibited! I received dozens of packaged, hand-made, hand-colored and computer-generated cards from friends, children of my church, my doctors, relatives and friends of friends. The Glenwood School PTA in Thousand Oaks, California (my youngest daughter’s school at the time), its office staff, principal, teachers and children sent hand-written notes and letters, pictures, drawings and gifts. Children of parents in our Sunday-school class and people of other churches and Christian organizations sent notes of encouragement as did clients, potential clients and professional acquaintances from my DJ business as well as co-workers and supervisors from my work places. There were even some people whom I had never met or known who sent E-mails from around the world. I didn’t realize I had made such an impression. I have grown emotionally, mentally and spiritually quite a bit since

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then. I believe I can appreciate the sentiments expressed more now than when they were actually received but at the time, these sentimental emblems gave me a sense of hope.

I don’t remember much before, during, or immediately after the accident, but now that some time has passed, I can offer my assessment of the experience and relay some of “life’s lessons” that it taught

me. The experience goes a long way to explain where I’m at today.

One of the last things that I do remember that I did before the accident was read my Father’s Day cards. Apparently, according to what I could glean from them, I worked one of my three jobs the night before July 17, 1997 from midnight to 5:00 AM and then went off to my second job from 7 AM until 2 PM (about 30 miles away from my home town.) On the trip back home that Thursday morning I plowed into a pick-up truck on the Ventura freeway in Southern California. I did have some mobile DJ jobs lined up for the weekend, plus several more lined up through December (my third job). My wife, Patti, had to refund deposits and line up substitutes.

In addition to taking care of my business details, Patti had to deal with financial and scheduling changes, plus manage her own daycare business and ease the pain of our 9-year old daughter. She did a very commendable job of picking up and

putting together the pieces of the puzzle of our lives.

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Another memory I have is when one of my daughters, Evie, and her son Isaiah, were out from Missouri visiting with me in California just before the accident and one of the last pictures taken before the accident was of us at a local pizza restaurant. She was scheduled to fly home on the following Monday, but she didn’t want to leave until there was some “sign” that I was going to make it! I guess that sign came while she was visiting me in the hospital—I opened my eyes!

I’m told that I “conversed” with one hand (a raise of my fingers). I must have understood a few things at that time but I was mostly incoherent and unaware of my surroundings. Whether or not I understood what said, I did tell my wife that I loved her two weeks after the accident.

I had to piece together a few bits of information from the traffic collision report and several church bulletins to later figure out what actually happened. From these I determined that I crashed into a quickly slowing Ford Pickup headed for LA, south-bound on the US 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks in Southern

California on a Thursday evening of July 17, 1997 and was investigated at 5:48 PM. I was driving a ’83 750cc Yamaha motorcycle. I was found on my back in the center divider. I had careened out of control into the center-divide retaining wall. Injuries reported at the scene included “basil scull fracture, fractured ribs and clavicle and a collapsed lung.” There were three drivers who were noted

as witnesses, but I have never approached them

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concerning what they recalled, although, the witness directly behind me stated in the report that I “applied my brakes but was unable to stop” which indicates I was not asleep as some folks had suggested. I was transported to the nearby Los Robles ICU hospital where I remained in a coma for three days with a twisted brain stem and blood drainage from my left ear. My survival was unlikely, medically speaking.

I made very slow but steady progress in my recovery, sleeping most of the time but I did respond to commands ten days later. My lungs began clearing and the blood in the brain fluid began to dissipate although I continued to run a low-grade fever and I was taking antibiotics. The doctors were encouraged at this point. Patti was too! She had been told that I might not make it but if I survived through the weekend, I had a good chance. By July 29th, I was off the ventilator and was making efforts to speak.

On August 4, I was moved from the critical-care unit and on August 11 I was transferred for rehabilitation therapy to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, California where I did a major portion of my physical rehabilitation from mid-August until mid-September. I remember I got used to using as walker but I had to spend about three hours a day navigating a wheelchair. Swallowing tests revealed problems and to this day I choke on tepid liquids or flaky foods. I saw the outdoors for the first time on the last day of August before I was transferred to a “rehab home” for a couple of months where my “cognitive” thinking and speech were ‘fine-tuned.’ I was allowed to stay with my family a few weekends during October the, finally, in early November, I got to go home where I did

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some in-home rehab with physical and occupational therapists for 4-5 months.

There are “hospital stories” that are funny, pathetic, frightening, boring, and gruesome, but I’ll spare you the details! I guess I did “come on” to a few nurses, though (as if I could have done anything about it!) There was one individual who gave me incentive to progress through the different levels that my physical therapist

prescribed and he was a real encouragement despite his small size and young age. Trevor White began in our daycare center when he was only a few weeks old. He learned to crawl and walk during his stay with us. He and I would practice crawling together—he for a learning experience and me for therapy. Later, he felt excited about fetching my cane and bringing it to me wherever he could find me. We formed a bond that was very warm, yet comical to watch. In some ways I was somewhat envious of him because I knew that eventually he’d be walking whereas I would not.

Some interesting “coincidences” pertaining to the accident became known later. One such “coincidence” was that an ambulance was only a few cars behind me and stopped to rescue me even before the call for help went in—probably the main reason I survived. The paramedics inflated a collapsed lung while a girlfriend of my daughter-in-law held me in her arms (she didn’t even know who I was until she called my daughter-in-law, Tracy, and told her the “news.”) Someone suggested I had fallen asleep on the road, causing the accident, and while that is very believable, considering the long hours I kept and my tendency to doze while driving, a witness proved otherwise. Another interesting coincidence was that for the first time in a long time, I decided to wear my padded motorcycle gloves.

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After going home from the hospitals for more recovery I worked with occupational and physical therapists. Although I’m certain they were trained to do only approved tasks, it seemed to me they were pushing me to my limits. The exercises and lessons paid off, however,

until I started living a degree of a self-sufficient life style.

Those around me get teased sometimes because of my disability (I am not directly teased, but I am aware of how others perceive my slow cadence and slurred speech.) My daughter (10 years old, at the time of my accident) was at an age when peer-pressure begins to have a great impact on decision making. She, like many other young folks, did not deal well with ridicule and began to feel insecure about what others had to say about the situation. Often, others, feeling insecure themselves, tried to downgrade my family so they would feel better themselves.

The other side of this story is that people who survive such difficulty, usually end up surprising us with greater insight to life. Take Helen Keller, for instance--an outstanding example of a person who conquered physical disabilities. A serious illness destroyed her sight and hearing at the age of about 1½. Because of this, she was unable to speak and was entirely shut off from the world. But she rose above her disabilities to become internationally famous and to help disabled people to live fuller lives. She once said: “I thank God for my handicaps. For through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.”

I have sometimes wondered if I will ever thank God for my handicap, but shortly after my accident one Christmas or Thanksgiving, Sharee's class was asked to write an “essay” on the thing they were most thankful for. Sharee wrote: “My dad is the best dad ever. He is very funny. He had three jobs, and was coming home

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very tired. One day he got in an accident and was in a coma for six months. When he came out of his coma he had a wheelchair, and then a walker, and then a cane. Now he is much more funny and every line he says has a joke and everything he does has a punch line. He is so nice; he gives great presents. I think I like him better after his accident because he is more fun. If he would have died, I would have died too.”

From a near-death experience to now has given me a lot to think about. My main thought has always been there must have been a reason for this incident. I can’t walk without a cane, but I went from on my back in bed to a wheelchair to a walker to a cane so I’m doing better than was expected. I’m closer to my family. I’m closer to my friends. I’m closer to my God. In many ways, I’m a better person having experienced the various stages of recovery. I now can thank God for how my circumstance has given a new outlook for my family.

Having to deal with mobility problems is bad enough to cope with but add to that the wounds that loved ones deal with is a battle that I had hoped to avoid. God was, however, trying to exercise the “faith muscles” of others besides mine. It turned out that my wife and daughter needed some “fine-tuning” also so God, in His infinite wisdom, used my accident to restructure their lives as well.

Because of the rising housing costs and the high standard of living in California, it became necessary to move out of state once I began to receive the limited funds from the Social Security disability income. Minnesota was a logical choice since my wife, Patti, and I were born there and we could, therefore, be closer to our relatives still living there.

A series of events began to unfold that allowed us to purchase a home here in Minnesota. It took a loan from a distant relative, donation of equity from my brother, some major leveraging of loan company

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officers to qualify, creative financing, and, not to minimize the most important event, the providence of God.

These are the historical facts that eventually led me to a point of publishing several E-mail magazines in order to express myself. I don’t speak too well anymore, but I do have had a knack for writing, so this is one area that I will continue to pursue. The answer to the question “what was the reason” is what I want to explore in the remainder of this treatise.

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Chapter 2—I Begin to See Purpose

We were meant to grow in both physical and spiritual areas but sometimes we don’t until we are forced to. At times, we need a nudge in the right direction. This accident was my nudge! The biggest challenge, in my opinion, is not the person who cannot overcome his physical handicap but who cannot overcome or even recognize mental or spiritual ones. I had some lessons to learn in this area and am in the process of learning them as time goes on.

Part of every prelude to my newsletters that I send via E-mail through Pathfinder’s Fellowship each weekend reveals the impetus for contacting each subscriber with hope outside themselves:

You may wonder why you receive this from me without advertising or charge. I do have an explanation! After a near-death accident in July, 1997 I reprioritized my life. I dedicated my life to helping others. The best way I found to do that was by learning and using the up-coming technology of the Internet. My strong faith in God has given me the energy and commitment so you'll find my communications to be wholesome. And, though I don't just send out religious material, it's all “clean.” There's a reason for this: God made us to be a communicative being so we can converse with Him and He with us. God, Himself, uniquely gave us the ability to use words. After all, He did give us a tongue and all the necessary components for speech. There is therefore, a requirement for a stewardship of words. The real “us” is revealed by our speech. Words tell what's on the inside of us--they are an overview of our inner self.

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How we handle words is important. Do we edify others or bring them down? When I'm coming at you with this or that, I try to keep these principles in mind--this is my way of giving back to God a little of the kindness He has shown me

Was my accident and resulting disability a limitation or an advantage? If one reads II Corinthians 12:1-10, the apostle Paul concluded that God’s grace was sufficient for him and that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul said he would “boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Bodie Thoene said “One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear. For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful.”

We've been taught that when we ask God for something He may respond “no,” though obviously that’s not what we may want to hear. It certainly wasn't the answer Paul wanted. Because he wanted to be strong in his ministry, Paul asked God for deliverance from a “thorn in his flesh.” Although God didn't grant his request, He answered his prayer. Author J. Oswald Sanders summarized Paul's attitude like this: “At first he viewed it as a limiting handicap, but later he came to regard it as a heavenly advantage.” There's advantage in our weakness: it is when we're feeling helpless that God's grace and strength upholds us.

When affliction invades our lives, we ask, “Who needs all this?” Author Paul E. Billheimeri said “if you're suffering, remember: No wounds, no pearls.” What was he referring to? Pearls are created when a foreign body of some sort, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, finds

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its way into a pearl oyster. The oyster reacts by coating the irritant with layer upon layer of the pearly substance known as ‘nacre’ that develops into a pearl.

In Genesis chapter 41 God used Joseph in Egypt to feed Joseph's family during famine. But how did this come to pass? It began with an emotional wound being sold into slavery by his brothers that created a “pearl” of hope. Joseph became better, not bitter by relying on God.

There are no accidents in the lives of God's children. Joseph interpreted his experience differently than his brothers. Being thrown into a pit and sold as a slave doesn't seem like an act that God can use! From the human standpoint it appeared to be a tragic case of injustice. But Joseph later said that “God meant it for good.”

Does everything seem to be going against you? These apparent misfortunes are not accidents. They are gateways to blessing. The Lord allows them for a purpose that He has in mind. Our approach needs to be one of patient trust.

Study Paul's reasoning of why he suffered trials in prison: “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14)

Christ had His fair share of suffering even before His shameful torture of the cross. One of the purposes of His turmoil was to taste pain and anxiety that we go through so He can give us assistance in time of distress: “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ...For in that He Himself has suffered, being

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tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:10)

How would you answer if Jesus were to ask you, “What do you seek?” (John 1:38) Would you ask Him for health and fitness? A better job? A happier marriage? Financial security? I decided that the thing I should be seeking was none of these but God’s grace. I prayed for deliverance from my disability, but deliverance hasn't come. I had to learn that God's grace is sufficient for me. He can transform my limitation into an advantage. A friend of mine and a client of my wife’s daycare, Heather White, through her own cancer battle, gave me inspiration to stubbornly and optimistically find the courage to face whatever the future can bring.

It’s easy to be fooled by our circumstances into believing that God has forgotten us or doesn’t care about us anymore. Did Paul have any reason to feel this way? No matter what the problem was and no matter how he felt about them, Paul always displayed a heart of joy. Rev. Larry Johnson of Owatonna, Minnesota (with possible reference to Warren W. Wiersbe) said of Phil. 1:12-30 that the passage reveals four circumstances that are gateways to joy. These gateways are often camouflaged, appearing to be insurmountable problems. However, the four gateways, have a common thread: the promotion of Christ.

The first gateway to joy that appeared to be a problem for Paul was one of confinement. Paul was able to concentrate on the purpose of his predicament, however: furthering the gospel in a Roman prison. Paul didn't complain about his situation. Instead he dedicated himself to God's plan. Susanna Wesley, mother of Charles Wesley, said “I will not complain

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about what God didn't do. Instead, I will rejoice in what God's going to do.”

The second gateway to joy was denunciation. Paul wouldn't succumb to envying another who seemed predicament-free. He realized that a sacrifice could bring glory to God. The only thing Paul knew he needed help in was God's blessing as a result of prayer. In all of his letters, Paul asked for the hearer's prayer. He knew God was his source of genuine peace.

The third gateway was decision. Paul had to make a mental choice between being with God or serving him. It was in God's hands whether Paul would stay on earth to minister or fly to heaven and offer God praises but Paul had to be ready to rejoice in either scenario. He had to consciously decide that if God wanted him to stay on earth he would find a way to magnify God in whatever circumstance he found himself.

The last gateway was conflict. Paul had to adapt himself to suffering. Notice that he was not alone, however. There is benefit to fellowship. Not only did he have a fellow sufferer, but God was with him as well. This gave Paul confidence and boldness. His confidence in his Master gave him victory over his circumstances.

Paul’s predicament was cloaked with a promise of power but to the faithless it appeared to be an illusion. An illusion, according to the dictionary, is an “erroneous perception of reality.” Sleight-of-hand artists use it to “do the impossible.” Most illusions are harmless, but some can be fatal. The most dangerous illusions are the spiritual ones that people are so prone to believe. Because our culture considers difficult pathways to success something to be avoided, Christians tend to think that suffering cannot be a part of God’s plan but Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

The typical view of the Christian life is one where we are delivered from adversity. In actuality we are

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delivered through adversity: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” (Psalm 91:1, 10)

A child of God certainly encounters adversities. Jesus tells us not to be surprised when they come: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” Saved people often complain and worry because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a believer.

The strain of life is what builds our strength. God cannot impart strength unless we are willing to accept the strain. By accepting the strain God will give us the strength. When you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a Christian can “be of good cheer" even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is impossible to everyone, except God.

Another illusion is that God chooses only to work His miracles through “gifted” and “beautiful” people. Some of the great miracle-workers I know are not so “beautiful” by man’s standards. Many are disabled and don’t seem like they have much to offer, but into a hopeless situation Jesus comes “to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:5) Rather than simply being given a new set of rules and sent off on our own, we are adopted into God's family. Never forget that Paul was a murder but later he became one of God’s greatest missionaries.

I was reminded of how the world views beauty in commerce when I recently went to the YMCA for my workout. I’ll delve into how the my physical world fits

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into my spiritual world later in this book, but I want to give you a brief view now to illustrate how “beautiful” people are regularly viewed in our society. I was busy exercising in the “life center” (where there are machines to build strength an endurance) when three young ladies appeared with cameras and a tripod. One would model on a machine while the other two took pictures of her. Obviously the “Y” was getting ready for a new promotional brochure.

I was struck by the fact that the model was one of those “beautiful” people. She was actually, very pleasant to look at but not “real!” Her clothes were “perfect.” Her posture was “perfect.” Her demeanor was “perfect.” Her look was “perfect.” Everything about her was “perfect.” She didn’t even have a drop of perspiration like the rest of us! What is my point?

From the average consumer’s point of view, the brochure would be “perfect” because the model would portray what he would fantasize about—being “perfect.” The producers of the brochure wanted to give the impression that if one worked out at the “Y” he could be “perfect” just like the model. Of course, the brochure’s not going to mention that most people drop out before they get “perfect.” I’ve been working out there for nearly 3 years and I’m not “perfect” yet! Amazingly though, in Christ, we are perfected instantly.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Christian Disability Conference. All the speakers were disabled or worked with disabled people or had disabled family members. There was one common theme that was repeated by all: people had grown spiritually in ways that would not have been possible had they not gone through trials of adversity. If I had to choose one verse to sum up the thoughts expressed it would be “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7)

Before most of us hit rock bottom we are hindered by stubborn self-sufficiency. We tend to be self-

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dependent rather than God-dependent. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to rebuild of our lives in an exalted state. Although God hates His children to suffer needlessly, He will, sometimes, allow us to experience hard times to eliminate our desire to manage our own affairs. He intends to break down our self-sufficiency by using a painful process that pushes us to His side. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word...It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:67, 71)

Looking back, I clearly seeAll the grief that had to beLeft me when the pain was o'erRicher than I'd been before.--Anon.Most people feel anything but spiritual when they

hit bottom. This is where we have to start, however, before we can experience the nurturing that God provides. Norman Macleod described our absolute need for unflinching belief that God can guide us along an unlit path in his poem, "Trust in God:"

Courage, Brother, do not stumble,Though your path be dark as night;There’s a star to guide the humble,Trust in God and do the right.

Let the road be rough and dreary,And its end far out of sight,Foot it bravely, strong or weary;Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,Perish all that fears the light;Whether losing, whether winning,Trust in God and do the right.

Trust no party, sect or faction,Trust no leaders in the fight;

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But in every word and actionTrust in God and do the right.

Simple rule and safest guiding,Inward peace and inward might,Star upon our path abiding;Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate you, some will love you,Some will flatter, some will slight;Cease from man, and look above you,Trust in God and do the right.

I had to wait for God to give me a new starting point. Quite frankly, I wasn't ready to give him my all until He rebuilt me.. Ironically, I had all these talents but didn't use them right. God took a few away and now I do more for Him! It's easy to feel confined by structure in our faith because we have a natural resistance to rules. But God's commands are given to enhance our lives rather than restrict them.

I now have insight to how disabled people feel. Often a healthy, strong individual will be confronted with the presence of some weak and incapable individual. What is the customary reaction? Fear of feelings of sadness, an uncomfortable awkwardness, and anxiety over what to say are just a few of the attitudes that overwhelm them. These are based in deep-seated feelings of guilt. Although the average person hesitates to admit that he feels that disabled people are “second-class” members of society, when they are confronted with someone who has no muscular control, sitting in a wheel chair, speaking with a stammering tongue, drool smeared across their face, and smiling incessantly, uneasiness develops almost to point of immobilization.

I am not totally without mobile abilities but still require assistive tools to get around, such as my cane. I

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thank God for a “middle ground” that allows me to identify with disabled people yet minister to them. Before my motorcycle accident I overlooked disabled people but now I look for opportunities to minister to them. I feel I should take the example of my Master. Most of the people he healed were lame, blind, deaf, mute, weak, undernourished, sickly, or otherwise physically handicapped. Some were even dead!

Richard DeHaan once said “Few unbroken lives in this world are useful to God. Few men and women can fulfill their hopes and plans without some interruption and disappointment along the way. But man's disappointments are often God's appointments, and the things we believe are tragedies may be the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace.” (“Our Daily Bread,” April 1, 2005)

I have determined that I won’t allow the fact that I am physically disabled to interfere with my ability to give something to others. My abilities are limited in some areas but, somehow, God is able to use other areas for His benefit. I can wallow in the mire of self-pity because of my limitations or I can rejoice by God’s grace in His strength for the many advantages of weaknesses. It’s really a matter of perception. Because I am a new person (“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” [II Corinthians 5:17]), I have a greater value to God than I have to mankind. My disability isn’t holding God back! It’s one of those illusions that can cause people to think that disabled people have little to offer.

An old adage says, “Our hindsight is better than our foresight.” From a human viewpoint this seems to be true. We seem to be insistently concerned about the “why’s” to our circumstances and I have many times wondered what God was trying to do in my case. I’m certain that until I am in the presence of the All-knowing Prince, I won’t have all the answers but one that has become apparent is an issue that relates to my mother.

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God used the circumstances that I have alluded to create a “pearl” of usefulness.

My mom is 84 years old at this writing. She had a “mini stroke” around the turn of the millennium and her short term memory was affected. I often wondered what the Lord was doing by putting me back in Minnesota but now I'm beginning to understand that I'm here to help my brother take care of mom. Now that I have the patience to deal with this kind of thing, I can listen to her repeated questions and complaints with understanding and compassion. I used to wonder why God left me with the ability to drive but now I see why: to take mom for tests and doctor's appointments.

I was ready for God to whisk me off this planet, but, apparently, He wasn’t done with me yet. I understand what Paul was saying in Philippians 1:19-25: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Phil. 1:19-25)

My mom suffered four heart attaches and faced death while in the hospital after her last one. She believed that losing a loved one was more threatening to her than the possibility of losing her own life.

I wondered why. I know she had asked herself, “Am I ready to die?” Her answer was, “Yes, I am because I have Christ as my Savior.”

Mom might have been imagining the emotions that would bubble up as one faced a similar challenge. As I observed her demeanor I have often thought about

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my own death, but the real question is, “Am I ready to live?” Would I live in fear of death or in faith? Isaiah 43:1 comes to mind: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” These words to Jacob echo Paul's words, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Those of us who have watched in sadness as someone close to us has died may wonder what they are doing in eternity. If they had trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, we know they are in heaven, and that they are enjoying God's presence (2 Corinthians 5:8). We know that they haven't yet received the perfect body that God promises us when Christ returns (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). We also know God is planning a glorious reunion with our loved ones. We may not know what all is entailed, but we can be assured that our eternal rejoicing will begin.

Mom’s bouts with heart attacks brought her to the hospital for several weeks and it was with great honor that I could visit her during these trying times. The doctor visits and tests after her stays at the hospital would have posed some difficulty if I were still in California and my brother on his job or even if I were here in Minnesota but couldn’t drive.

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How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Physical Change

Chapter 3—Time for Some Physical Changes

It’s February 14—my birthday! It has been said that when one can’t change his circumstances he should change his attitude. It’s time for another “attitude adjustment!”

I am reminded of the tennis star Arthur Ashe who died of AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion. He could have become self-pitying, but he maintained a grateful attitude. He concentrated on what was positive in his life. His attitude rebuked me when I grumbled. When I questioned God for allowing my accident to happen Ache’s example helped me remember the blessings God puts into our lives—blessings that many are deprived of. When I asked, “Why me?” my grumbling gave way to praise.

In our spiritual lives we have to cart the trash away—get rid of any obstructions that drag us down or hinder our spiritual growth. This “trash” could be the “cares of this life” (Matt. 13:22) or our pride (exaggerated feeling of self-reliance) and if not removed will weaken us and spill over to infect others. God “empties the trash” in a number of ways, but one effective method He uses is one of the world’s oldest dilemmas found in Job: bring or allow human suffering. Like Job, we learn that even in the midst of suffering, God is worthy of praise. He is utterly sovereign and has every right to do what He chooses.

The Bible tells us clearly that God can do whatever He desires, yet he remains our trusted Helper in our times of need: “The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who

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can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.” (Nahum 1:3-8)

There is no sense worrying and fretting about things that cannot be changed, but I noticed I was putting on undesirable weight again and while weight gain alone is not a spiritual deterrent, when one feels that his weight gain is caused from a lack of exercise and poor diet, the accompanying mental and spiritual battles that ensue can act as “weights that easily beset us.” Here was something I could change. At one time, years ago, I got up to 242 pounds. I’m only 5-feet, 10-inches, so my weight is supposed be around 180. When I hit 230, it was time to begin fretting.

Diets are like fashion. They come and go. Currently, the trend has been toward high-protein, low carbohydrate consumption: the “Atkins” diet. It used to be high-carbs, low fats. Of course, there is the ‘old fashioned way’ of counting calories.

When I went to college in the early ‘70’s, one of my classes was a weight-training class. The majority of the time was spent free-lift “circuit training,” but some of the time was spent in lectures where we learned to chart our fuel intake and our caloric output. Basically, we learned that in order to lose fat we had to consume less calories than we expended in exercise. Those early beginnings drove my quest for a healthy body and kindled my curiosity for a biologically sound fitness program.

In the late 90’s, I helped a chiropractor friend, Douglas Markham from Thousand Oaks, California, put together a booklet called “Living in the Zone.” The book was part of a total health system with workouts, food menus and supplements. It loosely followed the

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writings of Dr. Barry Sear's published work, “Enter The Zone” published in 1995. Both Dr. Sears and Dr. Markham had philosophies of health that were more than just dieting. They held to some of the same tenets that Dr. Atkins proposed, but delved deeper into overall body health. According to Dr. Sears “The Zone” is when your body is operating at optimal levels for weight loss, or weight maintenance. I became a follower of the philosophical teachings of the high-protein regimen.

Like Dr, Atkins, Dr. Sears believed in promoting a low carbohydrate diet. He believed food portions should have a ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat. For him, The Zone low carb diet was not just a weight loss program, but a lifestyle choice. Entering “The Zone” is achieved by eating controlled food portions. This portion control assists with your body's insulin production, which allows for effective fat burning. I was saturated with these teachings and became a proponent of this lifestyle.

Dr. Atkins set the stage for a diet revolution that has affected an estimated 20 million people. This low carb diet plan was updated and republished in 1992 as the “Dr Atkin's New Diet Revolution”, and is still extremely popular today. It has become so popular that restaurants are even offering “Atkins-approved” dishes. The diet is split into four phases, which then sets the foundation for long-term healthy eating. The basic details of this low carb diet plan include the restriction of breads, cereals, pasta and starchy vegetables with the encouragement of eating nutrient-rich foods, especially meat.

There are four stages in the Dr Atkins low carbohydrate diet plan that starts with the “Induction Phase” when certain foods are restricted. During this time, weight loss is quick. The second stage of this low carb diet is “Ongoing Weight Loss” that is followed until your desired weight is nearly achieved. The weight loss is slower, but foods formerly restricted are allowed back

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into the diet. When you are a few pounds away from your goal, the “Pre-Maintenance” stage begins. The weight loss in this stage is minimal as some foods are re-introduced into your diet. The final stage is the “Maintenance Diet,” designed to maintain your desired weight. Dieters following this plan are encouraged to stick with maintenance to remain healthy.

I was quite indoctrinated into the whole idea of a low-carb, high-protein regimen for weight loss, but as I studied the subject more, I began to see some health benefits that were important beyond weight loss.

I began reading another treatise on the subject entitled “Protein Power” by doctors Michael and Mary Eades. The book was billed as “the high-protein/low carbohydrate way to lose weight, feel fit and boost your health.” The Protein Power diet looks at how the three main types of food (carbohydrates, protein and fat) interact in the body. Like the Atkins Diet, the Protein Power Diet restricts carbohydrates, encourages more protein intake, and requires little fat and calorie counting. This low carbohydrate diet involves one to follow several phases depending on current weight. The first phase is the “Intervention” stage - which is very restrictive on your carbs intake. This phase is to be followed until you almost attain your target weight. The “Transition” phase can begin when you are close to your target weight. Some carbohydrates are re-introduced to your diet, but are still at low levels. “Maintenance” is the last stage in the Protein Power low carb diet, and can be followed well after you attain your target weight.

The diet is about protein, not fat and even encourages using some fat. Protein Power details the science behind the weight loss. I was drawn to it because it not only gave sound reasoning concerning weight loss but also concerned itself with improving general health as well. The authors taught about losing weight, feeling better, lowering cholesterol, and enjoying fresh foods. This team of doctors explained

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how the protein-rich eating plan succeeded where low-fat diets failed. This explanation seemed to be a medically sound plan to achieve lifesaving health benefits, including lower cholesterol and blood pressure readings and an improvement or reversal of common disorders such as heart disease and adult-onset diabetes. The simple regimen calls for a new way of eating to feel better and more energetic, and promises to correct blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol.

For years, overweight Americans have been counseled to turn away from meat and fat and embrace a high-carbohydrate diet. The authors discuss the biochemical roles of hormones in the metabolic process to demonstrate why low-fat, high-carb programs don't always result in weight loss and present a convincing case for their high-protein, low-carb alternative. The key is preventing overproduction of insulin, which controls the storage of fat and is triggered by the ingestion of carbohydrates.

When it comes to physical exercise, I can find numerous excuses to avoid it! It is not something I readily desire to do. I knew, however, that it had beneficial side effects and I needed to get an exercise program started. I read a joke once that gave 10 pieces of advice on the subject. ‘Though it’s tongue-in-cheek humor it portrays my sentiments regarding exercise quite vividly:

1. I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.

2. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

3. I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

4. The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.

5. If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

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6. Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.

7. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where on earth she is.

8. I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.

9. I don't exercise because it makes the ice jump right out of my glass.

10. You could run this over to your friends but why not just email it to them!Regardless of my disdain for exercising, I did

decide it was time to try to become a little more physically fit in order to slow down my deteriorating physical abilities. I felt weaker as time marched on and found myself on the floor more often due to increased instability. Because the local YMCA offered a reduction in membership rates to disabled folks and because it seemed to have great facilities for every level of ability, I enrolled in a YMCA weight-training program. Simultaneously, I started a swimming regimen for increased breathing stamina. I discovered later, that due to scheduling conflicts, swimming was not a profitable endeavor. I later substituted stationary bicycling for the swimming since the machines were already available in the “life center” where the weight-training machines were.

In her book, “Ultimate Strength” Fitness Instructor Sherry Boyles says “The first step to establishing an exercise routine is to develop a plan. The second part is to stick with the plan! Once your plan and routine are well established and you know that you are committed to it, you can begin to add some variation to your exercise. Establish a habit first, then vary.” She goes on to say:

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Establish your routine. One of the important early steps in establishing your routine is to analyze your daily schedule and determine the time of the day that you have available for exercise. Choose a time that can be used consistently for exercise. The biggest advantage to exercise only happens when you actually exercise! So, choose a part of the day that makes sense for you--I recommend that you not try to do everything on the same day. Spread your workouts over the week...Any combination of workouts that fits your schedule is the workout to make routine. One thing to remember, however, is to refrain from strength training the same muscle groups two days in a row.Sherry instructs her clients to include exercises

that will improve the cardiovascular system plus overall strength and flexibility. She puts a special emphasis on back strengthening and stretching.

For stability and endurance I started out with a short 10-minute stationary bicycle program that burned off about 100 calories. I added more time and peddled faster each week. Eventually, I was riding for 30 minutes, covering over 10 miles and burning off over 370 calories.

I decided to get strength from weight lifting. The regimen for my self-tailored exercise program consisted of upper and lower body exercises. I found that if worked my upper portion one day and the lower portion another, I was able to rest enough in between to keep stamina for each workout and keep the emergency crews away from me “passing out!” I exercised aerobically for 30 minutes on a stationary bicycle first to warm up the muscles in preparation for some heavy workouts. After the peddling I moved on to the weight machines.

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This plan will probably not work for too many people, so don’t use it as your model. The main factor in my situation was adaptability. My first consideration was strength. During that first year my upper-body strength doubled and my lower-body strength nearly tripled! I later concentrated on endurance. I started a new weight at 10 repetitions but don’t change any resistance until I reached 20 repetitions instead of the suggested 15.

An important consideration was diet. I continue to eat mostly high-protein foods but snack once in a while on high-carbohydrate ones. I still limit fats, but if it comes to a choice between protein-with-fat and carbohydrate-with-fat I choose the protein. I don’t count calories but if a snack is loaded with “empty calories” I avoid it. In the two years that followed, I only lost 25 pounds but my new weight was easy to maintain!

What does my exercise program have to do with attitude adjustment? The circumstance of immobility lead to an exercise program that not only helped me physically to become more mobile but also allowed me to experience God’s blessing of peace. Sure, a new confidence ensued but the passage of scripture in I Corinthians 10:31 that says “whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God,” gave me drive to make my experience count for something other than selfish gain.

I used my exercise periods to “witness” about what God did for me and to give away “tracts” (little leaflets with Bible verses about Biblical subjects pertaining to eternity). Sometimes I would wear a T-shirt that would have a Biblical message embroidered on it as a conversation starter.

God’s Word teaches, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for

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an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (I Corinthians 9:24-27)

There are times when I want to give up, but when I meditate on “imperishable crowns” I determine it will be worthwhile to perform some self-discipline in order to improve my health for my family and God. It is difficult to explain on paper what is happening, but I find I’m dragging baggage through life that I don't need. It hinders me, dragging me down. I need to determine to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The problematic health issues caused by lack of sleep, inadequate hydration, over-working, poor eating habits, and limited exercise can be avoided with proper self-discipline.

There are some burdens that are welcome: “Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders.” (F. W. Faber.) Of course, this refers to spiritual burdens, not physical. The remainder of my treatise deals with this subject and is the “meat” of “How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity.”

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How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Spiritual Change

Chapter 4—Growth in Spiritual MattersItalian born American actor, R. C. Allen said, “we

grow because we struggle…” A story has been told about a blacksmith who developed his arm and shoulder muscles with potatoes. He started with a 5-pound potato sack in each hand. After a while he tried 10-pound potato sacks, then 50-pound potato sacks and finally he got to where he could lift a 100-pound potato sack in each hand.

Commenting on this story, a minister, Alan Smith, said “We understand (intellectually, at least) the value of trials. We understand that the testing of our faith produces patience (James 1:3). We understand that the fiery trials serve to purify our faith (I Peter 1:7). But empty potato sacks will never build muscles. And light trials will never develop the kind of qualities that God seeks to develop in our lives. May the trials you are going through today serve to strengthen the muscles of your spiritual life.”

It is now the middle of the year when school gets out for the summer vacation. This will give me an opportunity to concentrate on Biblical principles that relate to spiritual strengthening without distraction.

The Bible reads in Revelation chapter 2, verse 19: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.” This was written to a church in Asia Minor called Thyatira but I find these words to be very appropriate in my situation. After I could meditate on the aftermath of the accident, it occurred to me that I actually had more time to devote to God’s service than I had devoted previously. With fewer tasks to draw attention away from God’s work, I found myself enabled to devote more energy toward doing things to promote God’s kingdom.

I wanted to serve God through the spiritual muscle of prayer, but my prayers didn’t seem to “go through.” I E-mailed my friends a message for help:

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http://www.cybernation.com/quotationcenter/quoteshow.php?id=48484

http://www.cybernation.com/quotationcenter/quoteshow.php?id=48484


I'm sending this to all the Christians I know because I really want your input!

I've been a believer for nearly 30 years and you'd think I'd have an answer to my questions by now! But, have you ever felt like God had turned a 'deaf' ear toward you when it comes to answering your prayers? Lately, I feel like I'm just not “getting through!” I know that sometimes “no” is an answer, but should that be the case all the time! As many of you know, I started a prayer ministry and I'm ashamed to say at this point I don't feel much like a prayer warrior!

I even tried fasting but the only thing I saw from it was hunger! I tried a 3-day deal—it was hard! I can't imagine what Christ went through for 40 days! No wonder Satan tempted Him with a chance at food. Hey, I would have settled for some measly bread! I will say that the effect on me personally was great—I prayed more often, more humbly and more sincerely than ever. Just didn't get the results I expected. I know the Bible says something about “faith as a mustard seed” but mine must be the size of a grain of salt!

If you've got some reading material to offer or some personal accounts to share or some advice to give or some Bible references to point me to, fire away!

…It really bothers me to see her in such agony but there's little I can do to help. God is big enough for the job though! If only I could get Him to see it my way! Any suggestions?

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One response I received was from a gentleman that I greatly respect. I would like to give you his comments verbatim because much of what he said has to do with spiritual growth:

Hi Ken,I get so mad at God sometimes because He doesn't answer my prayers the way I want Him to! We have had some real shouting matches where I was horse for several days after, literally. I just can't figure it out because I have a biblical justification for Him to do what He is supposed to do. Verses that tell us “to ask in Jesus name and it will be done” makes it very difficult to accept when He doesn't do what I have asked. So, I don't have scripture figured out at all. But as far as the biblical accounts go, I'm not alone. Did God do what John the Baptist wanted? Did God take away Paul's thorn? Did God do what Jesus wanted in Gethsemane? No sir! And there are many other examples with the same scenario. What I learned from this is that even when we think we have figured out God, we haven't. God answers every prayer. The problem is we want what we want instead of what God wants. Even with prayer we need to lose our life to find it. In other words, we have to have the faith to pray and leave the answer to Him. It may not be answered until we are in heaven! Or we may never see the answer. But as Paul said “I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live” and that means even in our prayers, our life (desires, wants, goals, needs) are in Him and subject to His sovereign will. I don't like it because I want what I want and

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sometimes it keeps me from praying, but He is Lord and that's the end of it.]

In his book, “Sharing His Suffering,” John Henry Jowett says

“[We find] Jesus gathering about Him a little company of twelve men. No member of the little band belongs to the ranks of power, or culture, or wealth. They are all inconspicuous, many of them unlettered, the majority of them poor; it is just a company of working men standing nervously on the borders of an unfamiliar publicity…I am amazed at the almost audacious candor of the program… ‘Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake.’ ‘Ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake.’ ‘When they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another.’ ‘A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.’ ‘He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.’”

With a call to ministry such as this, we are tempted to become “tight lipped,” take the path of least resistance, and “go with the flow!” We will tend toward self-preservation, but, this tendency actually leads toward spiritual self-destruction. We must express our feelings, exercise our faith, and become proactive in our cause. No muscle gets stronger from lack of exercise. No rest comes without toil. No inevitable or predetermined course of events is achieved without movement. We look for and desire rest, joy and strength but these are not automatic—we have to work for them! We don’t achieve rest by being idle. We don’t find joy without some resistance. We don’t attain strength by catering to weakness. We find ourselves

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only when we lose ourselves. “Life becomes fruitful only when it becomes sacrificial.” (John H. Jowett)

The Bible reads in the book of Romans chapter 5, verses 3 and 4: “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The theme of joy does not top my list of association when it comes to suffering but that seems to be what the author is suggesting! It is said that Jewish prisoner Corrie ten Boom would thank God for the fleas in the Nazi concentration camp. The fleas kept the German soldiers out of the barracks and allowed her to minister.

One of our problems is that we expect to get fed on Sunday morning and have the food last all week until the next feeding. We wouldn’t dare do that with our physical bodies but we tend to try it with our spiritual souls.

A child was told, “Go look in the mirror and wash your face.” He insisted, “I already have!” His mother responded, “Look again!” His dirty face proved that if he really had looked in the mirror, he ignored what he saw. He may have seen the truth about himself, but he didn't act on it.

If we honestly want to become more like Christ, we must look into God's mirror, the Bible, regularly. But, just looking isn't enough. God's Word can change us, but only if we obey it.

The Bible has many examples of hope when afflictions arise. If we encounter tribulations, needs, distresses, tumultuous times, sleepless or worrisome nights, or even persecution we can depend on God's Spirit and His Word to empower us with wisdom, patience, kindness, love, and honor: “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by

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purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (II Corinthians 6:3-10)

Are we so busy that we find it hard to take even a few minutes to spend reading the Bible? Many people set aside time in the early morning before they get caught up in the hectic pace of the day. I have come to believe that God used my accident to get me to slow down so I’d take more time for Him. I can think more deeply about life, God, and others. Change is an inevitable part of life. We are being shaped every minute we live. Every decision and every action we make is shaping us into what we will become. Either we're moving toward Christ or away from Him. It's true, I lost some physical things through the ordeal but I gained spiritual growth that I probably would have missed. I felt calmness, peacefulness, His faithfulness, direction and purpose anew when I took time to experience them personally.

The world's idea of success is more prosperity and power. But success in the eyes of God is discovering and pursuing His truth through reading and obeying His words. The Bible (by the power of the Holy Spirit) illuminates our minds so that we can think the way God thinks and understand more about Him. When we have to make decisions, we can reach back into what we have read and the Holy Spirit will illumine our mind and make it possible for us to make the best choices.

The words to one song read:

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“All things work out for good, we know—Such is God's great design;He orders all our steps belowFor purposes divine.”

Often our hearts are filled with of selfish things. We need to recognize that He is what we most need and make His will our heart's desire. We need to have the Holy Spirit kindle a fire of Godly desire so that we may see through any selfish deception that would rob us of having His best. Often we are petty and selfish. As we learn as much as we can about God’s desires for us we can honor Him better with our choices.

Saul (who later was called Paul) asked, “Who are You, Lord?” when he was confronted by the Risen Savior on the road to Damascus. When he realized he was in the presence of the living God he then asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:5-6) He then recognized that obedience to God was the most important aspect of his life. Requests for health or success would have been selfish requests if they were not secondary to a desire to obey God. Obedience expresses the measure of our love for God.

One way to do this is by compiling a “joy list.” At first our list will be filled with temporal things from a human standpoint, but as we begin looking each day for the presence and power of Jesus Christ it will fill with examples of our love relationship with God. Of course, any joy list will be incomplete. No matter what our circumstances, joy is His gracious gift to us as we trust Him. Trust matures and so will our list. Eventually, what seems like a trial will become a joy. Even as Jesus faced the cross, He looked beyond its agony to the glad result. The Bible reads in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Rather than seeing this as a way to get our prayers granted, we will find our priorities properly aligned and our hearts tuned to know what is really

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valuable and what is not a good choice. Our desires eventually get replaced by His desires as we make Him the center of our focus. God makes His interests our interests.

Habakkuk had his focus on God when he wrote, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

I've been asked if I would do anything differently regarding the event of my accident. Actually, knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t. God has used the accident to bring me closer to Him by ceasing to rely on my strength and rely on His. I wouldn’t be writing you if I hadn’t had the accident, for instance. God had to slow my life down a bit so I see how I was ignoring Him and what He wanted me to do. The truth of the matter is that it wouldn’t have mattered if I tried something different anyway--He’d got my attention some other way! The road conditions were fine. The weather conditions were fine. I was driving safely. God just felt it was time for a little learning about grace! As far as my condition now, I’ve lived this way 8 years--I expect to die this way. Medically speaking this is “permanent.” God may have different plans, of course, but I've been claiming some verses in Psalms 31: verses 14 though16 read “But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand.... Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies’ sake.” Author Aldous Huxley once said, “There are no back moves on the chessboard of life.”

It’s a day-by-day experience. I identify with the words of a song by Blott En Dag, translated by Andrew L. Scoog:

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Day by day and with each passing momentStrength I find to meet my trials here.Trusting in my Father's wise bestowmentI've no cause for worry or for fear.…Every day the Lord Himself is near meWith a special mercy for each hour.All my cares He fain would bear and cheer

me,He whose name Counselor and Pow'r.…Help me then in every tribulationSo to trust Your promises, 0 Lord,That I lose not faith's sweet consolationOffered me within Your holy Word.Help me. Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,E'er to take, as from a Father's handthe days, the moments fleeting,Till I reach the Promised Land.

When I’m tempted to worry about what may happen in my future on earth I am reminded from scripture “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”--Matthew 6:34

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How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Grace

Chapter 5—Transcending Grace

The Bible reads in Psalm 91:1-11

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways”

Dennis De Haan of “Our Daily Bread” relates the following story:

On a bright Sunday morning one of my boys, who was just a little fellow, was walking to church with me. Soon the sights and sounds of a new day invited him to skip on ahead. Suddenly his carefree progress


came to an end. A few yards away was a boxer dog looking at him. Stopping abruptly, my son turned and rushed to my side. Only when his hand was securely in mine and he knew I was right beside him was he able to walk undisturbed past the boxer.

What a picture of our pilgrimage through this world! From time to time the fierce-looking obstacles of illness, money problems, or personal conflicts appear before us, striking fear into our hearts. At first we are bewildered and life seems to be at a dead end. But then by faith we make our way to the Savior, realizing we dare not go forward without the assurance of His presence. As we completely trust in Him, He helps us face the future by walking with us each step of the way.

If anxiety and dread are lurking on the threshold of your tomorrow, remember God's wonderful promise in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I'm grateful the Bible includes a passage that reads “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) Life's problems can be like tornadoes and strike without notice. I live in Minnesota where tornadoes are a fact of life that Minnesotans have learned to live with. We face them unexpectedly as they bring their damage. The “tornado” trials of life are equally unpredictable and sudden much like becoming badly injured in an accident. But God is present to help us in such times of trouble. The Psalm continues, “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed...” The writer


of this Psalm seemed to have the most extreme circumstances in mind. Sometimes our trials feel as though the foundations have broken loose and slid off into the depths of the hopelessness and our personal “earth” has shaken, and we feel helpless to do anything about it, but God is still our hiding place and safety net.

Have you ever asked, “What good is faith when all seems lost?” You try to give it all to God and a “tornado” strikes causing grief and disbelief. But the shock is not over. Later, another strikes before you’re over the first. Shock, pain, and sadness again enter into your world. Somehow you find help from God and His Word. When the grief overwhelms us we have to turn to God's Word and His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. When life's troubles hit us like a tornado, we can remember that God's compassions never fail: “...the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22) He can give us hope.

We are told that “...we have the mind of Christ." (I Cor. 2:16) We get new thoughts when we are transformed in the second birth. Yet, we are told that we still need a mind transplant after salvation. Philippians 2:5-8 tell us how we do that. Through humility and sacrifice we can install an attitude like Christ’s. Notice the end result of exaltation. I have a note in my Bible that reads “If you have trouble with circumstances, take the ‘humility approach’—what would Jesus do?” Joy in circumstances comes with a humble mind.

Like the two women mentioned in Philippians chapter 4, verses 1-5, we need a voluntary mind transplant if we want joy and release from worry. If we can think like Christ we can accept whatever He brings our way. See I Corinthians 2:16 where it reads “...we have the mind of Christ” and Ephesians 4:23 where it reads “...be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Philippians, chapter 2 starts with “let this mind be in you


which was also in Christ Jesus” then, continues by showing us what kind of mindset Jesus had: a self-denying attitude, a servant's attitude, and a sacrificial attitude. He forfeited His claim to a throne and submitted to, instead, cruel death on a cross. He gave up His glorified and holy position with His Father so that the Father could receive the glory. He refused credit for Himself so that we could be credited with justification before God. When we submit to this mind transplant we take on the mindset of Jesus.

In Daniel, chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylonia who captured the Israelites, spoke to the Jewish young men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and told them they had to worship the gold image of himself or be “cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered “’O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.’” (Dan. 3:14-18)

“But if not...” A small phrase but packed with significance! These Hebrew young men displayed the same attitude that Jesus had in Gethsemane: “...nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalms 34:19)

So what is faith and how are we supposed to use it? Can we accuse the three Hebrew young men of Daniel of not having faith when they said “But if not...?” The following “tongue-in-cheek” story of the “Beverly Hillbillies Go to Church” by Larry Davies tells us faith can turn trials into triumphs if we have the mind of Christ.


“Jethro, why don't you read something from the ‘Good Book,’” said Jed Clampett.

Jethro carefully opened the Bible: “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” (Mat. 7:7-8)

“That's wonderful, Jethro. But do you know what it means?” asked Jed.

“You bet I do,” shouted Jethro but then he paused and admitted: “No, Uncle Jed. No, I don't know. What does it mean when it says, ask for anything and you'll get it?”

“Well, I don't rightly know myself, Jethro. What do you think, Granny?”

Granny replied: “Jed, all I know is that folks pray for food and still go hungry and these old bones of mine still ache when I get up in the morning. Every day, I've still got to get out of that bed and cook enough fatback and hog jowls to feed all of you. Like you say, Jethro, you don't get things just by asking for them. There's a heap more to it than that.”

“Granny, I think you're right,” Jed added. “We can't get everything just because we ask for it. When Jesus said, ‘Ask and you will receive’ it don't mean for us to give him a list. You see Jethro: Faith in the Good Lord ain't some kind of magic wand. Faith is more a way of living during the good times and the bad times too. It means you respect life like it is not like what you want it to be.”

“You boys come in the kitchen so I can show you something,” said Granny. She walked into the kitchen and filled three pots with water and put them each on a burner. In one pot, Granny put a


carrot. In another she put an egg and in the third pot she placed a handful of coffee beans. “Jethro, when you put a carrot in this pot and boil it, it gets real soft. But what happens to the egg?”

“That's easy, Granny. It gets hard and I love hard-boiled eggs. Can I eat it now?”

“Settle down Jethro,” said Jed. “But Granny, what about the pot with the coffee beans.”

“That's the best part Jed,” answered Granny. “Look what happens after you boil the beans.”

Jethro jumped in again, “You get coffee, Granny and I love a good cup of coffee.”

“Jethro, you love anything that will fit in that big mouth of yours,” shouted Granny. “What I'm trying to say to you fellers is that when times get tough, some people get soft like the carrot and give up. Some folks, like the egg, look fine on the outside but inside they're hard-boiled. But coffee beans somehow turn the boiling water of trouble into a delicious fresh pot of coffee. Now Jed, that's what I call faith!”

“Well, doggy. I believe you're right. When I look at life as a hardship it's too much. But when you look at life as a challenge it gets exciting, waiting to see how it all turns out.” Jed thought a moment and said, “It’s like the words to my favorite hymn: ‘Life is like a mountain railway, with an engineer that's brave. We must make the run successful, from the cradle to the grave. Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels; never falter, never quail. Keep your hands upon the throttle and your eyes upon the rail.’”

The “Beverly Hillbillies” worship service ended with the Clampett family and everyone in the church singing the chorus together: “Precious Savior, thou wilt guide us. Till we reach that blissful shore: When the angels wait to join us in


Thy praise forevermore. In Thy praise forevermore. Amen.”

“Well now it's time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin. An’ they would like to thank you folks for kindly dropping in. You're all invited back again to this locality, to have a heapin’ helpin’ of their hospitality. Hillbilly, that is! Set a spell, Take your shoes off! Y'all come back, here!”

Somehow we need to “Be still, and know that [He is] God.” When it seems at any moment the foundations of our life are about to be torn loose and destroyed, we need to cease trying to outrun the storm and stop and know God. It's when we try to fix everything in our own way the God seems distant. Only when we become still and turn our eyes upon God, will our fears subside. Fear is the result of trusting ourselves and not God.

Is there a tornado on the horizon of your life? Be still and get your focus on God. No matter what life is throwing at you, there is one answer to it: turn to God. Get your eyes off the problem and off your self or others and be still. Learn to know God by focusing on His strength and help in your time of need. By doing so you will not fear. Max Lucado said “Faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and He will get us through it.”

Another passage of scripture in the Bible teaches us that we can profit from our trials: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) What do we do when problems come unannounced? James tells us to “count it all joy,” because trials do not happen without a reason. Trials are unavoidable and unpredictable. Knowing that our sovereign God will walk


with us through trials and use them in His plan to bring maturity, we can count them “all joy.”

Without bogging down with theology and semantics, allow me to expound on these verses from my point of view. I compare this passage to the visual of clay, which is shaped by the potter: it is fired in a kiln. Then, glowing red hot, the result is a unique product. So it is with us. We bear the imprint of the Potter's hand. He is not yet finished with us. We must experience the kiln of trials. God uses this illustration for Israel in the Bible (Jeremiah 18:6) when He said “Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand….”

The first verse of a song entitled “Have Thine Own Way” reads: “Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way, Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.” What the poet and the Divine Author are trying to tell us is that God wants to fashion a beautiful and durable tribute but He has to put us through some tests first.

Another passage of scripture reads “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” (Philippians 1:29) How can we express suffering as something that is “granted” to us? Apparently, when we become “partakers of His sufferings” (II Corinthians 1:7) we can rejoice because when He is revealed in all His glory, we will be there with Him (I Peter 4:13) and receive such an incredible reward that “it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” A phrase of a song appropriately reads “One glimpse of His dear face—all sorrow to will erase.”

I am reminded of a scientific fact that many of us have heard but bears reexamination: when someone examines a cocoon to watch a moth emerge, the moth struggles to get through the tiny opening. We are tempted to enlarge the hole so the moth can emerge easily—but we dare not. The moth’s wings will be


shriveled if we do. The struggle through the narrow opening is God's way to force fluid from its body into its wings. We think we’re going to help the moth by making it easier to get out, but we actually hurt it. Hebrews 12 describes the Christian life as a race that involves endurance and discipline. We need the struggle to become what God intends us to be.

Another illustration of becoming what we are meant to be through hardship is also found in nature. Everyday, the mama eagle finds food and drops it directly into the open mouths of hungry eaglets. This goes on for a few weeks, until one day, mama makes a dive into the nest and begins to shake it violently. Then she will pick up a perplexed eaglet, soar into the sky, and drop it. The little bird will begin to free-fall. Just before the eaglet smashes against the rocks, mama eagle swoops down to catch her baby. This goes on for several times. Every time it is being dropped from the sky, the eaglet will struggle by flapping its wings. Mama is teaching her young to fly. At about the fourteenth to fifteenth try, the eaglet begins to fly.

Learning to fly can be a very dangerous and traumatic time for eagles but only then will they become what they are meant to be. Christians are like baby eagles, comfortable in the nest until one day, something happens and we struggle. The nest gets shaken and we don't know what to do. It's just our loving Father who allows our nest to be shaken because He wants us to grow into maturity. We are afraid of free-falling, unsure of where we will land, yet God watches over us and teaches us something wonderful through it.00

Tough times are a part of our existence. Adversity is a defining characteristic of the human experience. Because we are not in direct control of our life we find ourselves looking at a life we neither planned nor expected but no matter how hard life gets, it is but a momentary trial compared to what God has waiting for


us, and any suffering that we endure in this life is mild compared to the glorious future that's waiting for us. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:17-18) “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) We may not be in control of what happens in this life, but we can be sure that whatever hardship we face will work out eventually for your ultimate good and God’s glory. In the end, we will know about God’s grace with new awareness.

Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we will ever get through them. In times like that we need to be reminded that is when God is closest to us. “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” (Psalm 145:18-19)

Nothing catches God by surprise. Satan can’t even fool God. We know from reading Job 1:1-12 that he has to get permission from God for his antics. God knows what is going to happen before it “gels” in our mind so when something happens to us that we consider bad, we need to understand that God knew it was going to take place. If He wanted to prevent something from happening He has an eternity to work around the event. The fact that He doesn’t proves He is going to use the event in His plans. Whether we can understand His plan or not doesn’t diminish its purpose in the mind of God.

We never need face rough times alone, because our Heavenly Father is “gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to


all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:8-9)

When we experience one of life's burdens, and feel that it is more than we can bear, we need to rely on God's help. He is ready to bear our burdens. Psalm 145:14 says “The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.” Isaiah 26:3 instructs us that He keeps us “in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

In the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) When we face a crisis in our daily walk with God we can rely on God’s promise found in Psalm 138:7: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me….”

The following anonymously-written poem alludes to this newness of life:

When my weary body fails me,And my mind is filled with strife,

When the world is pressing 'round me,And I cannot deal with life,

When I've taken on the burdens,

Far more than I should share,I cry with broken spirit,

“Lord, don't others even care?”

In my darkest midnight hours,I hear You calmly say,

“You must take My yoke upon you.You must rest within My way.”

Then my many cares I gather,And I lay them at Your feet.

Where I let Your love surround me,As my every need you meet.

~ Author Unknown ~


Life is hard sometimes. We are sometimes faced with discouragement, depression, despair and worry. We have a Person of awesome power, however, Who offers real solutions to us. This was the case with Israel in the day of the judges. In Judges chapter 20 we see Israel going to battle against the Benjamites in Gibeah. They asked God to reveal which tribe was to go first. God indicated Judah. So the tribe of Judah went. 22,000 people died that day at the hands of the Benjamites! Needless to say, Israel wasn’t so hasty the next day. This time they enquired if they should even go—God said “Yes.” So they did. This time the Benjamites killed 18,000! Probably at this point anybody in his right mind would say that God was not in this plan. But Israel, after mourning and fasting, asked God what they should do. God said, “Go again; only this time you will win.” So they went to war the third day. It looked pretty grim as the Benjamites started fighting fiercely as in days before and it looked like they were going to win again but Judges 20:35 says “The LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel” and 25,100 of Gibeah’s soldiers were killed. The Gibeanites panicked and tried to escape. A few did, but later, Israel tracked them down and destroyed them also.

What leveled the field for Israel? God did the fighting. We can learn from this example that when God fights for us, we win. On a more personal level, we read about the wicked wife of King Ahab, Jezebel, threatening Elijah’s life in I Kings 19. She threatened to kill him. Elijah became so worried and anxious that he prayed to God to die. He was seemingly all alone out in the desert. He had had enough. What was the answer to his despair? God was the answer. God met Elijah at his need and Elijah responded by having a talk with God. We too, can speak to God in prayer and communicate with Him through the Bible.


God showed Elijah that he still had a job for him to do. It’s amazing how quickly depression or worry ceases when we are busy fulfilling God’s plan for our life. No matter where we are emotionally, God still has a purpose for us. Pursuing and fulfilling that purpose leaves little time for anxiety. Sometimes we have to reach a low spot in our human experience but we can’t be focused on ourselves. We need to look at God for strength and wisdom. Elijah turned to God in his darkest hour even when he thought he was alone. We need to, when we experience discouragement, depression or worry, look to God for help. Look to God for encouragement. Look to God for purpose. Look to God for meaning.

God may appear to be invisible during these trials but when the mountains of adversity and affliction bear down we need to look beyond their pressure of suffering to the precious faith that those trials produce. I Peter 1:6-7 alludes to this when it says “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Peter tells us that the “faith producing” experience is of great value to our spiritual lives. Therefore, we can actually rejoice in it: “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory […].” (v.8) God brings trials in order to create dependency and an atmosphere for trust. Answers build confidence.

There will be times when we can’t see a reason for what is happening to us. This happened to Gideon. Even though he was considered a “mighty man” he was forlorn because he thought God had “left him in the dust!” Read Judges 6:11-16:


“Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!’ Gideon said to Him, ‘O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.’ Then the LORD turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?’ So he said to Him, ‘O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.’ And the LORD said to him, ‘Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.’”Gideon probably saw the enemy as an

insurmountable problem considering his tribe was so seemingly insignificant. But God made it clear that He was with Gideon, that the battle wasn’t left to him to fight alone. The Israelites were successful in battle and then enjoyed peace for 40 years.

The psalmist tells us that God puts a new “song” in our mouths (Ps. 40:3). When He said this it was after a devastating calamity (verse 2) and it took God to rescue him. It’s as if God jumped in the pit with him and helped him out. We, too, get a new song to sing when we've experienced God's deliverance from trouble. We receive that transcending grace that only comes after we reach “the end of our rope.”

So, how can we “count it all joy when you fall into various trials?” (James 1:2) Where do we turn to when some calamity grips our heart with fear and sorrow?


God wants us to trust Him through all our circumstances. He wants us to accept loss as opportunities for growth in faith. Only as we submit to His sovereign control can we agree with James and rejoice even in calamity.

It's better to ask God to meet our needs in His time and in His way than experiment with our own methods and expect immediate results. If we ask God to meet our needs His way, we may face some challenges down the path of life, but James said, He gives “more grace” (James 4:6). There are many times I’m glad I don’t have to go it alone. Most times I wouldn’t want to rely on my own judgments about some matters. If I got my way in everything I would have to live with some sobering consequences. At least God’s way leads down the path that yields consequences that are right for me. Even when we know that God's way is best for us, though, we may still struggle to obey Him. We know He can help us as we grapple with the difficult choices in our lives, but we are still prone to want everything our way and be taken care of immediately. Do we think we know better than God Who sees the future?

Isaiah 45 tells us in verses 5 through 7 that He is the Lord and that there is no other that deserves our adoration. He takes care of His own even when we don’t acknowledge it. Isaiah goes on to explain that there is nobody like Him. Who else can form light and create darkness? Oh sure, we can turn off a light switch to cause there to be an absence of light so that it appears dark, but God can make darkness from light! We do well to put our trust in Him. Isaiah also says of God, “I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.” Apparently, God can create “calamity” for my good!

The Bible reads in Psalm 147 that God “does not delight in the strength of the horse,” and that He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.” It goes on saying


“The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” I’m sure it’s not saying that God could care less about human strength, but He doesn’t need us to accomplish His objectives; however, He likes it when we put the trust of our lives in His merciful watch care. A poet said is this way: “The God who made the firmament, Who made the deepest sea, The God who put the stars in place Is the God who cares for me.” Rather than concentrating on the trials of life, we should fix our attention on its blessings.

When I was a little boy, a friend my mother and our neighbor used to embroider. Sometimes I would lie on her floor and look up from the floor and watch her. I watched her work from the underside and thought that it sure looked messy from where I sat. When she was finally finished she showed me a marvelous “picture.” I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. I did not realize that there was a pre-drawn design on the top.

Often we look up to our Heavenly Father and say, “Father, what are You doing?” He answers, “I am embroidering your life.” “But it looks like a mess,” we say. The threads seem so jumbled and we think that there’s a mistake. The Father seems to say, “One day I will bring you to Heaven and you will see the plan from My side.”

David Roper said “The path by which God takes us often seems to lead away from what we perceive as our good, causing us to believe we've missed a turn and taken the wrong road.” God often leads us down roads that seem unreasonable at first but when we come to their end, we begin to understand that the paths have been allowed for our ultimate good.

Philippians 4:10-13 reads “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:


I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The apostle Paul proclaimed that he had learned an important secret: how to find inner contentment in his circumstances. He would respond positively. It was not Paul’s immediate thinking. He had to endure learning experiences that enabled him to face his difficulties without discontent, worry, or fear. Each time he experienced a trial, he had a choice to look at it from his own perspective or from the perspective of God. He could judge the experience emotionally or spiritually.

Just as Paul had to accept certain circumstances as coming from God, so too we have to trust that God knows what is best for us. If we fail to submit to His design, we are essentially telling God He has made a mistake! We must consciously make a decision to submit to whatever He brings our way and believe that God’s plan cannot be improved. Read Ephesians 1:11 and 12—“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” or Isaiah46:9 and 10—“Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”

By drawing our inner strength from God, we no longer have to face our circumstances alone. If we have failed to ground ourselves in God’s Word through spiritual appointments we will have week faith and little trust. We must trust in the Lord by focusing on God and not our circumstances. Isaiah tells us in chapter 26 of his writings that God “will keep him in perfect peace,


whose mind is stayed on [Him], because he trusts in [God]. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”

Inner pain comes when we live by feelings instead of spiritual principles. We need to look at our circumstances from God's point of view, but, is it really possible to face trials and have God's peace? Yes, but not in our own strength. The secret is learning to bring God's power into our weakness. This is accomplished through what we believe, not through what we do. Trusting that we have access to God's power through the Holy Spirit at all times for all situations is the first step to contentment.

In an article entitled “Where Is the Good Life When We Suffer?” written by the infamous imprisoned believer Chuck Colson, Chuck said

“...my oldest son, Wendell, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. ...my precious daughter Emily was diagnosed with melanoma. ...my wife, Patty, underwent major knee surgery. ...As I’ve frequently written, no one gets through life unscathed. You have probably discovered, as I have, that when trouble comes, it seems to pile on.

…I found myself at times wrestling with the great deceiver. He attacks when we’re weakest...I write now, however, with perspective. The self-pitying fog began to clear in June: I was reminded how God so often uses the suffering of believers for His redemptive purpose. As a visible public figure, how I would bear up under this would be an important witness--as it is with each of us dealing with affliction. When I came to terms with this, my confidence was renewed, and I even experienced glorious moments of God’s sustaining grace. ...Our feelings are irrelevant; God is not the creature of our emotions--God is the great I


AM, who created me and in whose care rests my family and my family’s destiny."

Many times our disappointments are used effectively by God to accomplish some aspect of His grand design. Tragedies become opportunities through which God can demonstrate His love and grace. If we could review our lives completely from beginning to end, we would see that when we were broken we became more effective Christians than if they had carried out all our own plans.

Are you being broken today? Perhaps someone dear to you has been torn away. Perhaps you seem stampeded by repeated bad circumstances. Perhaps misery has taken up residence in your soul. Try to see the purpose of it all from God's standpoint. The best things that come to us are not those that we acquire from having our ways, but from letting God have His ways. Though the ways of testing and trial seem cruel, it is the way of God's love and in the end will be the best for us. Remember, we have the Lord's promise: “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11) Someone once penned these words:

I walked life's path with worry,Disturbed and quite unblest,

Until I trusted Jesus;Now faith has giv'n me rest.

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Inspiration

Chapter 6—Inspiration

The Scriptures teach us that God wants us to bring our requests to Him and we can be confident that He will answer (Philippians 4:6; I John 5:14-15). But He is never obligated to answer in the way we want. When His Son was agonizing in Gethsemane, He ended His requests in humble submission by saying, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). That example ought to govern all our praying because the Father's will is always saturated with infinite love and wisdom. We as trustful children gladly commit to Him our desires. Whatever He grants will prove in the end to be the best.

Prayer is not just telling God what we want. It is asking Him to receive what we really need. It is more about growing and trusting than about getting. As we grow in faith, our prayers will become less of a wish list and more of an intimate conversation with the Lord.

Of course, there are many characteristics and truths to contemplate about our Great God. One could write a library of books about any one of them. Knowing God's character in answer to our petitions gives us hope in a hopeless world. Whatever God does it is perfect by default because God is perfect. It is important to contemplate and try to understand Who God is: He is perfect love, righteousness and justice. This gives us hope when we let Him solve our problems.

When we ask for God’s will to be done, we are submitting to His perfection even if we can’t understand it. Sometimes we ask for patience but forget that “tribulation produces perseverance (patience).” The message we receive is very much like the following poem I received by e-mail: all of our trials are put into a box with holes and God sorts through them, giving us the blessings that go with them:

God's Boxes


I have in my hands two boxes,Which God gave me to hold.He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black box,And all your joys in the gold.”I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,Both my joys and sorrows I stored,But though the gold became heavier each day,The black was as light as before.With curiosity, I opened the black,I wanted to find out why,And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,Which my sorrows had fallen out by.I showed the hole to God, and mused,“I wonder where my sorrows could be!”He smiled a gentle smile and said,“My child, they're all here with me.”I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,Why the gold and the black with the hole?“My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,The black is for you to let go.”~author unknown~

I have often wondered how someone as inadequate as I can expect to surmount great mountains of trials. The answer is in this poem:

STEP BY STEP

He does not lead me year by yearNor even day by day.

But step by step my path unfoldsMy Lord directs my way.

Tomorrow's plans I do not know,I only know this minute,

Then He will say, “This is the wayBy faith, now walk ye in it.”And I am glad that it is so,


Today's enough to bear,And when tomorrow comes His grace

Shall far exceed its care.

What need to worry then or fret?The God who gave His Son

Holds all my moments in His hand,And gives them one by one.

~~Morrison

We legitimately ask the question, “How do I make from the valley of turmoil to the mountains of blessing?” The answer echoes back “little by little.” It is by one small victory after another. In his song, “Sweet Company” By Scott Krippayne from the album “Celtic Pride”, it says “In my deepest night - He is the guiding star; In my sinfulness - He is the forgiving heart.” God is said to be “A willing ear for each silent prayer” and “A shoulder for burdens I cannot bear.”

We survive the onslaught of emotional upheaval by accepting God’s comfort in the present and His promises for the future. It all requires faith and we express our faith through honest prayers of need tempered with adoration toward The Sustainer.

I find it interesting that in the book of Revelations, chapter six, Jesus is referred to as both a Lamb and a Lion in the same context! We know He was the sacrificial Lamb that willingly gave His life to God as the price for mankind’s debt of sin, but, have you ever thought of a lamb conquering? That’s why we are “more than conquerors through Jesus.” We can turn those tragedies of life into victories because Jesus did and as long as we rest in His plan, we get to share in the same victory!

My daughter, Kendra Leigh Hazer in Missouri, sent me a story by E-mail that fits this theme of allowing God to use what appear to be calamities for His gift to us:


“The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for GOD to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened, he thought, and everything was lost.

He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. “God, how could you do this to me?” he cried. Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island.

It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” Asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering.

Remember this, the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of GOD.”

Job can be an inspiration to those that are suffering. At one point he wished he had never been born (3:1-3). He experienced some grievous sorrow after the devil received permission from God to take away his possessions and health. Whereas men usually observe their birthday with rejoicing, Job looked upon it


as the unhappiest day of the year. He cursed his day, but he did not curse his God. Yes, he was weary of his life and would gladly have parted with it but he was not weary of his God. Job resolutely clung on to Him and did not let go. Job had his infirmities with like passions as we but he expressed great submission and resignation to the holy will of God. He knew that God was regulating the extent of his affliction and trusted Him explicitly for his misery to be tempered with God’s mercy.

Florence Nightingale experienced great pain and as Job, wanted life to end. She is most remembered as a pioneer of nursing and a reformer of hospital sanitation methods. At seventeen she felt herself to be called by God to a career in medicine. When she was only in her thirties she wrote in her diary, “My God, what will become of me? I have no desire but to die.” But her despair gave way to the light and she went on to become a source of endless comfort to suffering souls and write two books about hospital reform that paved the way for the nursing profession.

Maybe you're at the point of not wanting to go on. Being God's child intensifies your desperation, for you wonder how a believer could feel so alone and forsaken. Don't give up. Some words from “All Things Work Out For Good,” a song written in 1961 by John W. Peterson of John W. Peterson Music Company echo hope in the midst of calamity: “All things work out for good, we know—Such is God's great design; He orders all our steps below For purposes divine.”

In a similar way that God plans good to come of frustration, He enters our lives and removes the darkness of our sin and despair and continues to comfort us through times of sorrow. In the midst of trouble and disappointment, the Lord encourages His children by giving hope. This may come through encouragement from a fellow believer, or it may be a word of encouragement from God's Word by the


ministry of the Holy Spirit, or it may be encouragement in response to a prayer. Whatever the case, God works things out according to His design for those that get in alignment with His purposes.

We may not feel that there is any hope but we can exercise our faith muscle by giving thanks “In everything…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) We take small steps forward. The weaker we are, the more we rely on God. The more we rely on God, the more He does. The more He does, the greater our faith becomes. Faith doesn’t shield us from emotions, but it does help us respond victoriously. It’s a two-way street: we respond in faith not to make life easier but to help us get through it. Then God responds by giving us the tools necessary to do just that.

I had the privilege of participating in a Disability Conference at Hope Baptist in Mankato, Minnesota in October, 2005 where several representatives from “Joni and Friends” spoke about how trials had perfected their lives. I had a wonderful time at this emotionally charged seminar. I made some new friends and created fond memories. While listening to the presenters, I couldn't help but to think what an awesome God we serve.

One of the presenters, Scott Rogers, had this to say: “As with myself, God has brought each and every one of you a long way, and all glory goes to Him. According to the scriptures, we are made in Gods' image. When trials and tribulation comes our way, they have already passed before the Father. In His sovereignty, He has already equipped us for what tomorrow brings, and we have hope in Him. In turn, those trials and tribulations draw us nearer to Him. He polishes the mirror that we've become, and we are then able to allow the world to see Jesus in us.”

We live in a culture that is anti-suffering, yet, God works through suffering, however. Evil would prevail if uncontrolled, but God holds back the onslaught of


tragedy so that He can use our circumstances through faith to provide strength. We then can share our growth after it matures. The valley of experience allows us to comfort others in similar circumstances beyond just being sympathetic. We can’t remove tragedy but we can walk with people though it. The closeness and intimacy of our relationship doesn’t remove the strain but a peace enters the picture that alleviates the pressure somewhat.

Joanie Yoder was born November 28, 1934 and died of cancer on October 15, 2004. She shared her growth through struggle in “Our Daily Bread" since 1994 after she retired from missionary work in three foreign countries. She shared her dependence on God from personal tragedy of addiction to pain medicines and subsequent renewal of faith as she discovered the unfailing sufficiency of Christ.

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Choices

Chapter 7—ChoicesA decision made today can determine the course

of tomorrow. There is no person immune to the power of a decision. Sometimes we make good decisions that are hard to follow through on and sometimes we downright refuse to make good decisions because of fear or selfishness, but to make truly wise choices that cater to God's purposes, we must know God's Word and apply it. If we don't, we may make destructive decisions that could lead to our demise!

What are the toughest choices you had to make today? Simple things, like when to awake, what to wear, or what to eat don't rank too high on the toughness scale, though choices like these can accumulate into hazards or blessings. But I'm asking about those momentous decisions that you agonized over. These are the ones that, through time, turn out to be life-changing or dramatic when we look back on them. Because we can't see the future, we need to rely on Someone Who can.

Sometimes, in making what seems like an inconsequential decision, we are actually molding our future. What seems like a casual choice can turn out to have monumental consequences. Take Eve's choice in the Garden of Eden, for example. All she had to decide was whether or not to partake of a specific fruit. Of course, she faced a great deal more than that! On one hand, she had Satan trying to get her to do what he wanted. On the other hand, she had God trying to get her to do what He wanted. This was her moment of decision--Who would she listen to? As one of the first living beings, she became the first to experience spiritual death and began a chain of events that lead to the entire human race being plunged into spiritual death. Consequently, we are all born dead! “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph. 2:1)


Just as our first parents could choose to obey or disobey God, we can exercise our independence and obey our will over God’s. We suffer the same consequence they did—guilt. Our fellowship with God is destroyed and alienation replaces trust.

Life is full of choices. How do we know when the choices we make are wise decisions? It would be helpful to have a guidebook with principals outlined and examples portrayed that show us how we can wrestle with these choices that will affect us during a lifetime and through generations to come. Guess what: the guidebook exists! It’s called “The Bible.”

The choices we make are writing the script for our life's story! David’s story is summarized in Psalm 119. He reveals what our responses to adversity should entail. Adversity tends to cause us to search God's Word for the answers (verse 50). Adversity pulls us back on to the right path (verse 67). Adversity teaches us that God is faithful (verse 75). Adversity keeps us focused on the wise Master (verse 92). Adversity causes us to reflect on His promises (verse 107). Adversity brings God closer to us (verse 153).

Traumatic and painful experiences actually help us become more concerned about what God desires rather than what we want. When troubles come we pay closer attention to our teacher.

Have you ever been in a car accident? Afterwards, you probably paid closer attention when you got into your car, right? Have you have ever had heart problems? Afterwards you probably careful about what you ate, right? Has someone dear to you died? Afterwards you probably gave more attention to those close to you, right? Has your home ever burned? Afterwards you probably were careful to check your fire policy and insurance coverage, right? You got your mind off your problems and onto their solutions. So it is with God-directed adversity—we get our


attention off the circumstances and on to the Provider of help.

It takes commitment to our Lord to make wise choices based in His will. A song of commitment was presented to me one Sunday morning. It has made a special impact on my concept of the meaning of “following Christ.” I have a hard time even committing to the second stanza!

Whatever It Takes

There is a voice calling me from an old rugged tree,And whispers draw closer to me.Leave this world far behind,There are new heights to climb and a new place in me you will find.Whatever it takes to draw closer to you,That's what I will be willing to do.

Whatever it takes to be more like you,Oh that's what I'll be willing to do.Take my houses and lands, change my dreams and my plans,For I am placing my whole life in your hands.If you call me today to a land far away,Lord I'll go and your will obey.

Lord take the dearest thing to me,If that's how it must be to draw me close to Thee.Let the disappointments come-lonely days without the sun,If through sorrow more like you I’ll become.Oh whatever it takes to draw closer to you,That's what I am willing to do--for whatever it takes to be more like you.

I'll trade sunshine for rain,


Comfort for pain,That's what I’ll be willing to do.Whatever it takes for my will to break,For whatever it takes to be closer to you.That's what I’ll be willing to do

If we want our life of service for God to be worthwhile, we have to make the right choices. We can learn this lesson from David in Psalm 71. We have the privilege to run to the Lord instead of living in confusion so we, like David, need to learn to cry to the Lord before giving up to troubles. We too, can learn to resist fear by running to God and asking help before we become bitter. We would do well to remember His faithfulness: we are supposed to praise God that He has a plan for our life. As David did, we must let our life be a testimony for the Lord by praising God rather than complaining. He was enabled to trust God to the end of his life. We are also obliged to take our fears to God in prayer and humbly depend on the Lord for guidance. We see from David’s example that we can learn to see hardship as a blessing through having a lifetime commitment to the Lord and letting the Lord invade all of our life. Peter tells us that we have an inheritance waiting for us that can never be taken away: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (I Peter 1:3-5) Times of hardship and disappointment become a reminder of what is awaiting us in eternity. Is this an easy thing to do? No. It takes a willful choice on our part.

The Bible warns us that for those who desire a dedicated Christian walk “will suffer persecution” (2


Timothy 3:12). Jesus talking about counting the cost of discipleship said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Yet, Paul said our suffering for Christ isn't worthy “to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” And Peter told us, “Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).

Christians who endure hardship tend to look at their situation as a privilege to be identified with their Christ rather than look back with regrets. However, strengths derived from faith can become weaknesses if God is not allowed to channel them for His purposes. An example of this principle is Peter in Matthew 14:25-30. At first we see Peter walking on the sea of Galilee. When Christ asked, “who do you say that I am?” in chapter 16, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” displaying his faith. Yet, the strengths that Peter possessed became weaknesses later. We see him in verse 30 taking his eyes off the Master and Peter's involvement became unfocused as he lost some faith. Later, his initiative became insubordination as he took Christ for granted (Matthew 16:22.) His boldness even became interference as he hindered the glory of God (Matthew 17:1-4.)

God isn’t a looser! He changes outcomes to suit Himself. He can take all the bad decisions that would lead to pain and suffering and use them for His own purposes. He is able to alter schedules and work around different personalities so that His plans get carried out.

We should want to be involved with His agenda and be willing to do things His way. It will start with what we believe about Him. What we believe influences our decision-making.

When Joshua sent spies into Jericho as recorded in Joshua, chapter 2, their initial contact with the prostitute


Rahab lead to a city-wide advertisement as to where to find them. When the police showed up, Rahab had to decide if these men were representing the true God and therefore earn her trust or if she should help her countrymen. It could not have not been an easy decision but she didn’t have time to think about it. Her decision was based on a brief introduction to God but it was just enough to give her the courage to go against the tide of her culture. She quickly agreed that “the LORD [their] God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (Joshua 2:11) Unknowingly in her infant faith, she was submitting to a sovereign God.

Rahab’s faith caused her to buck contemporary, earthly wisdom and experience that “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) It had nothing to do with what she had been taught by her peers or who she was but with her faith in how God would invade her future. Her choice in that moment determined her destiny.

People seldom start life's vocation with no preparation. There are technical schools, business colleges, apprenticeships, correspondence courses, night schools, etc. After proper training what is supposed to be the right choice? After high-school graduation, what then? After college graduation, what then? After marriage, what then? After children, what then? After a career what then? After money, house and car what then? After retirement what then? What about eternity? What we do when faced with trials determines who we are and what our future will hold for us. There is more to life than simply existing.

I had lots of education and experiences behind me to help me in what I felt were my plans for the future to become a computer programmer. Little did I know God was going to remake my schedule! The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9 that “a man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” What I thought were my talents and skills for one area of life God used to start a


ministry in a different area—a ministry called Pathfinder’s Fellowship.

Pathfinder’s Fellowship sends out 4 “Ezines” (E-mail newsletters) each week. These get sent out once a week usually on the weekend. In addition to the newsletters Pathfinder’s maintains websites for churches (see www.pathfinderfellowsip.org) and missionaries (see www.webmissions.org .)

This ministry was not what I had planned for my future vocation and took considerable adaptation. Until June, 2003 I worked at least one job a year and as many as three. From the time I was 16 and was used to earning income for what I needed and wanted. I developed self-sufficiency. I had to learn to rely on God to stretch my faitht. I knew in my heart that I was surrounded by things that didn't belong to me, like my family, my health, my church, my possessions, my friends, and even my life. These all belong to God and are on loan while I'm down here on earth. Yet, in my every-day experience, I still tend to call them mine. The Psalmist said in Psalm 89:11 that “the heavens are [His] and the earth also...”

My mind and mouth are on loan also! I felt very inadequate after the accident, primarily because even though I had the thoughts, I couldn’t seem to express them. God was trying to use my writing skills to supplant what I felt were inadequate speech skills.

Moses, on the occasion of his call by God, had similar reservations about his skill: “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) The Lord went on to say to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?” (v.11)

My disability was not an accident from God’s point of view; it was God-designed. God's way of dealing with what we call “limitations” is not to remove them but to

http://www.pathfinderfellowsip.org/


endow them with strength and use them for His glory. For example in the New Testament, God said to his servant Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)

We often let our relationship with the Lord be influenced by the experiences of others. But we must not be concerned with what God has planned for someone else. We are created for a specific task that God feels nobody else can do. Yes, we can temporarily “fill another’s shoes” but we can not receive another’s blessing. The experiences that were reserved for another called to that mission cannot be experienced by us because God is preparing him with gifts specific to the cause. God prepares you for His task. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Paul tells us in II Corinthians 12:9 that God’s “grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” What makes His grace “sufficient?” How is our weakness turned into His “strength?”

I know that many readers balk at the idea that God could actually be the cause of distress. Many of my friends tell me that my accident was caused by evil powers believing that the origin of anything hurtful has to have its source from outside of God. That idea minimizes the intendancy of God. Others will go one step further in stating that, as in Job, evil powers have to get permission from God to perform their schemes. While, most of the time this is true, God can, if He chooses, bring distress to His people. Read how God put His people in harm's way in Amos 9:4: “Though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword, And it shall slay them. I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.” “What looks like just an accident when viewed through human eyes, is really God at work in us—His blessing in disguise.”


Another case of Israel in trouble with God is Israel in Micah. The Assyrian invasion is described in the first chapter. Granted, it is a judgment for Israel’s sin and although Assyria didn’t make it through the gate the danger was imminent. God, Himself, is said to have come out of His place to bring His judgment. Micah was trying to warn his people to have a holy fear of the divine wrath to come. The disaster, as he called it, emanated from God: “For the inhabitant of Maroth pined for good, but disaster came down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.” (Micah 1:12)

Even the pious Job said a person’s life is “full of trouble” (Job 5:1) and felt God Himself was inflicting a severe consequence: “But now He has worn me out.” (Job 16:7) Joseph, when he was sold as a slave said to his brothers “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” indicating that God supervised the whole affair. When Jeremiah contemplated the troubles that faced the descendants of Abraham, he recorded that God said “whom I have sent out of this place for their own good, into the land of the Chaldeans.” (Jer. 24:5) In the New Testament Paul said “we are appointed to” affliction (I Thessalonians. 3:3). In I Peter, verse 6 we are told we should rejoice in the temporary trials because we have the privilege to suffer with Christ (I Peter 4:13).


Again, in the Old Testament, God said to Israel, “Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe…to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger… Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good landscaping…in which you will lack nothing…beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest…when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD…”

Sometimes God has to kick out our crutches from underneath us to show us we are more capable than we think if we rely on His limitless power rather than our own finite strength. Epictetus, who lived around 50 A.D. to about 138 A.D., was a Phrygian Stoic philosopher. He wrote nothing, but his teachings were set down by one of his disciples. He emphasized indifference to external goods and taught that the true good is within oneself so he didn’t subscribe to the Christian example but he once said “I am always content with what happens; for I know that what God chooses is better than what I choose.”

Trying to explain this to others usually produces a big question mark. The idea of getting your mind off of yourself when life is tough and making a conscious effort to meditate on all the good things that God has done, seems alien. We seem to be prone to dwell on the one “bad” thing while forgetting the many “good” things.

I have had my share of “bad” days over which I have no control. How can I look for the good when the day’s events are beyond my control? I am reminded of these words: “This is the day the Lord has made.” (Psalm 118:24) The Lord has made every day, of course, but the meaning behind what is being said here


is that God will have control over everything in it, even the “bad” events because they have been screened through His wisdom and have become opportunities for me to grow in faith.

Adversity provides us an opportunity to incorporate the grace of God. The character of Christ becomes evident as hardships become blessings because Jesus is magnified. You finally come to the point where you realize that not everything is about “me”.

If we respond positively to adversity the world is going to think that we're out of touch with reality. It is not the world's idea of “natural” to respond to suffering with thanksgiving but in Acts chapter 16, we find Paul and Silas thrown into prison after they had been beaten almost to death praying and singing hymns to God! These might have been songs of thanksgiving because later those who were listening wanted the joy that Paul and Silas had. This was exactly the opposite of what the guards expected. Christ was glorified because Paul and Silas saw their suffering as a way to further God's purpose instead of responding “why me?”

Every tough time should remind us why we're even here--to allow us the opportunity to bring glory to God and to bring others to a saving faith in Him. We are prone to ask, “Why did this happen to me?” A more logical question to ask is “Why doesn’t more happen to me?” We could have been born with a disabling handicap. We could have been born in an underdeveloped country where starvation is rampant. We could have been born in a hostile land where persecution is the norm. Are we any more special than others who struggle just to survive? From God’s point of view, we are the offspring of a defiant race shaking its fist at God. None of us deserve anything from God other than His wrath!

Sometimes it’s not so much an event that triggers our dismay as much as it is a person. Unfortunately,


bad emotions seem to rub off on others but even our emotions can be turned over to God for adjustment. I’m sure the Psalmists had moments of belittlement and frustration but we are reminded in Psalms 76:10 that “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You.”

God's people suffer wrong from time to time because we live in an angry, provoking world. We often feel much from the wrath of man but God can set bounds to the wrath of man just as He does to the raging sea. His name is glorious, and He is the proper object of our faith. Since there is no contending with God it is to our advantage to submit to Him. As we seek His favor and commit all our concerns to Him, He makes man’s wrath give way to our praises.

In the handling of everyday life King David gives us some insight. David was a man after God's own heart (see I Samuel 13:14 and Acts 123:22). He expressed the entire spectrum of human emotion from joy to sorrow in the Psalms. Here he cried out to God in anguish of despair and fear of danger. Throughout the Psalms, he always found help from his God after he realized that his own frailty was the source of his pain. He asked God to test his faith and show Himself faithful in Psalm 26:2-3: “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth.”

David endured tremendous challenges. Saul wanted him dead. His own son tried to kill him. He was guilty of adultery and murder and he suffered the death of his own children as a consequence. His family dealt with rape, betrayal, murder and treachery. At the same time, David had the nation of Israel on his shoulders and was responsible for leading it. It is no wonder that he cried out “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body! For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. I am a reproach


among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and am repulsive to my acquaintances; those who see me outside flee from me. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. For I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life.” (Psalm 31:9-13) Through it all, though, notice David's immediate answer in Psalm 31:14-15: “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand...”

David sums up our sufficiency in God in Psalm 19:7-14: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

The weight of his sin and his responsibility to rule Israel took him to depths that most of us could hardly imagine. Many times in the Psalms he expresses his despair of how the enemy surrounded him. In Psalm 6 he gets “real” with God and asks for mercy (v2). In verses 6 & 7 he expressed how low he really felt: “I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my


enemies.” Can you imagine your life getting much more desperate than this!

And yet, notice David's recognition of his remedy: “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in Your hand.’” (Psalm 31:14-15)

God was sufficient for David's needs (and they were great!) The Creator of the Universe is not only capable, but, willing and faithful to sustain us and give us victory through the darkest human suffering and discouragement. Is God sufficient, or not? He claims that He is. The question remains for each of us to answer individually: is the Creator of the Universe faithful to give us victory through deep human suffering? The answer lies where our trust is placed. It becomes no longer a question of God's sufficiency but, rather, of taking God at His word. If our Creator cannot help us, how can His creation?

Over and over, Jesus urged His followers to do what God said was right, not what they felt was right. Our natural tendency is to say, “I'll feel better if I get revenge.” Jesus said, however, “Do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) Having strong feelings about something doesn't make it right. As Jude wrote, those who follow their own desires and instincts lead others into conflict and division (1:18-19). Supernatural strength that only God can give is required to live by faith rather than by feelings. Matthew Henry said “When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence.”

Nothing defines us more than the choices we make. Christians can be faced with the reality of discouragement, despair and worry as much as the world but Who we turn to for help is a choice that distinguishes us from the world. The world quickly turns to a quick and easy means of remedy. Christians, however, have a much greater solution available.

Elijah ran frantically from King Ahab in I Kings, chapter 19. He was in despair of his life though he had


experienced God’s presence in a dramatic way when he prayed that God would send fire from heaven to consume the water-saturated altar (1Kings 18). Elijah really knew God well and had no doubt about His power much like many believers reading these words. Like many of us, though, he reached a deep point of depression in his human experience. He felt all alone and physically and emotionally used up. He had reached the end of his rope and had enough. He got lost in self-pity.

What is the answer to our discouragement? Will our choice be modern therapy, medication, or some self-help technique? Will we choose to embark on a long journey of self awareness and self focus? God should be our first choice. As a true child of God, God meets us at our need. Then we, like Elijah, need to talk with God. We need to quiet our spirit and get our mind off ourselves so that God can communicate in a “still small voice.” God can draw us out of our self-pity and take our minds off our circumstances.

God will then show us what job He has for us to do. Look to God for purpose. Look to God for meaning. Have you ever seen how quickly worry ceases when we are busy fulfilling God’s plan for our life? How much self-pity can we have when we are serving others? How is it possible to be despondent if we meditate on Jesus? God has a purpose for your life, even (and maybe, especially) in times of worry. Pursuing and fulfilling that purpose leaves little time, or need for anxiety and hopelessness. But, when we are looking anywhere except at God, life will quickly overpower and discourage us. Getting our eyes back on God is always the solution.

Should we be surprised when life gets tough? Should we feel our life has gone wrong because adversity knocks on our door? Ironically, not only is a Christian susceptible to the same frustrations as non-Christians, but we are promised to have to endure


some hard times! Look at these Bible quotations: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ...But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them...” (II Ti. 3:12-14) “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” (I Thessalonians 3:1-3) “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) “[...] strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22)

When life gets tough, it might bother us, but is shouldn't surprise us. I Peter 4:12-13 reads: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” The reality is that once you start living for Jesus, the war is on and suffering is just around the corner. As a matter of fact, if we got what we deserved, it could be worse! Psalm 103:10 says “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities” and Ezra 9:13 says “And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this….”


The Lord does, of course, improve our spiritual and emotional life as we allow Him to. But only after salvation, do we have at our disposal everything we need to live a contented and fulfilled life through the Holy Spirit of God. Our circumstances of suffering may intensify but only as we are made more capable to handle them: “[…] God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13) The Amplified Version puts a thorough interpretation to this verse by saying, “[…] no trial […] no matter how it comes or where it leads you […] that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out…that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.”

I Corinthians. 10:13 is speaking directly about temptations to commit sin, but in a general sense, God provides the necessary measures to endure any trial we face, be it temptation to commit sin (a specific sub-category of trials) or impending disability from the common flu! We must first give the trial over to God’s control.

Life can be hard. Seemingly, the closer we are to God, the harder our circumstances may become. Greater peace, blessings and grace will flow, however. If we walk in the Spirit, God will cause adversity to work for our good (Romans 8:28). Suffering turns head knowledge into heart knowledge (Job 42:5). Adversity brings an opportunity to display the character of Christ so that others might be saved (II Corinthians. 4:8-11; I Pet. 3:14-15). Hardships make us long for Heaven and


to be with Jesus (Rev. 7:16-17; I Pet. 1:3-5). God uses adversity to transform us into the image of Christ (Heb. 12.11; I Pet. 1.6-8). Tough times pull us back on the right path when we have strayed away (Psalm. 119.67).

One of the realities of suffering is that it enables us to better relate to and sympathize with others who endure the same suffering. I've already discussed this so I won't elaborate at this point but I want to explore how adversity keeps us reminded of the reality of life in this sin-cursed world. When we receive blessings from suffering it helps us empathize with our fellow Christians. These blessings increase our capacity for compassion towards others who are suffering the same thing we have endured. By accepting adversity as a blessing from the hand of God, we can relate more effectively to hurting people God wants us to love.

When wishful thinking ceases, only reality is left, and it is plain to see that life truly is filled with tough times. I am not saying that we are to walk around discouraged and depressed. Are we to moan at inevitable suffering? Absolutely not. We are to rejoice in all things. Christians of all people are to be characterized by joy and contentment. This is possible only in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and is in spite of the world we live in. I have already quoted II Corinthians 1:3-7. In that passage of scripture we see the word or form of the word “comfort” six times. It teaches that if we are brought through trials it is for a future blessing of comfort: “And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation (comfort).”

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea…they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness […] nor


complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (I Corinthians. 10:1-12)

God is the source of mercy and comfort. He comforts us first so that then we may comfort others. We know how to comfort others because God has provided the example for us. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us we will increase our capacity to bring comfort to others. If for no other reason than that, adversity becomes a blessing.

There are many things that God asks of us that are distinctly opposite of what the world teaches. Our response to suffering is supposed to be thanksgiving! What person would ever be thankful for adversity and distress? The human dream is comfort, ease and luxury. In a world consumed with self-gratification we are told many times how much we “deserve” every good and luxurious thing in life. It appeals to our pride and tells us that not only should we have what we want but we deserve them now. We certainly don't deserve suffering; much less should we be thankful for it.!

What we commonly fail at is viewing adversity from God's perspective. But, by doing so, we can give thanks to God, becoming more like Christ. Turning to God in our trials allows us to see His faithfulness to comfort and strengthen us. God promises to care for, comfort, provide for, and guide us. Each time that we experience a trial or hardship it is an opportunity to see the faithfulness of God deepening our faith and strengthening our relationship with Him. Psalm 119:75-77 reads “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my


delight.” God does not always promise a way out of our predicaments, but He does promise grace and strength to endure them, and He promises to be with us, so we will never suffer alone.

Here is a secret of real joy: we should never rely on good things money can buy for happiness because we are crushed when we lose them. When joy is found in the Lord nothing can disrupt it. In pre-Christ days, unsuccessful agriculture was considered a curse but the prophets of God insisted that one should not depend on a successful financial pursuit but on God Himself: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God off my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Habakkuk 3: 17-19)

We should strive to become all that we can be or do all that we can do, but, ultimately it is God who gets the glory. Along the path to success there are pitfalls of failure, regret and disappointment. We give them to Jesus since we have no use for them and the Holy Spirit of God helps us forget what lays behind so that we can press on to what lays ahead. Our hopes, dreams and wills are fine-tuned to be in conformity with God’s plans so that He can use past successes to both encourage us and challenge us. “Teach me to do the humble task; The very best I can; And not to look for greater calls; Which may oppose Thy plan.” (Bernheisel)

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Witness

Chapter 8—Witness

“If the world were like me, what kind of a world would this world be?” An unknown author penned this question, but it is a very good question! Paul had the audacity to say that Christians should be like him: “Therefore I beseech you, be followers of me” and “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”

In Acts 4 we find Peter and John, ordinary people whom God placed in unusual situations. These men were facing threats for their witnessesing about the risen Christ. Our opportunities to portray Christ in our lives may sometimes come, as they did for the disciples in Acts, disguised as trials.

When Gamaliel addressed the Pharisees regarding Peter and other apostles preaching in Jesus’ name the believers were beaten badly. “…they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:41 & 42) We hesitate to think of what some Christians have to endure to serve their Savior and I’ve wondered if I would we do the same? I have read of modern-day believers that have been tortured for their faith in such magazines as “Voice of Martyrs.”

The Lord does not ask us to endure such hardship before it is necessary. He imparts the strength when we need it. We can be sure that when we “suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29), He will provide whatever we need as we take one step at a time, confident that the Lord's of grace will be just right to see us through.

We can, however, live a transformed life: “Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.” (Isaiah 55:13) God causes a noble juniper and a fragrant evergreen shrub to grow where once thorns were. This reminds us that God can bring forth beauty where evil


once was. Where scornful or jaded negativity once grew, the most hopeful aspects of a situation can begin to emerge. Where a cutting remark intended to wound thrived, gentle words of healing can appear.

When we live out our faith in Christ, we're bound to attract the attention of others. When we know our sins are forgiven and look forward to being with Jesus forever, we want to share our faith with others, and some people will want to know the reason for our hope (I Peter 3:15). Yet, if the people in your community were asked about the Christians who live there, what do you think they would say? Would they say they recognize Christians by their love, or because of something else?

I have not seen as many trials as some, but I have learned that in order to witness effectively, we’re going to have to at least give up a life of ease. I’m not saying that one has to be handicapped in some way to witness but God will sometimes intentionally limit us so His power will shine through. Paul, the apostle, was a great man of God partly because he was willing to endure turmoil just so he could win some to Christ: “We then, as workers together with Him [.…] We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (II Corinthians 6:1-10 )


Sometimes, God brings us through trials so we can witness to others. Read II Corinthians 1:3-7: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.”

We can use what we’ve been taught but we must always treat the recipient of our graces with respect. We should be gentle when trying to restore him but never do for him what he should do for himself because we don't want to get in the way of the consequences that God can use to bring change. We need to remember that we don’t have the power to change another person. Only God, Who knows the best plan because He sees the future, can do it correctly. All we do is reach out in love, seeking God's wisdom in what to say and do and depend on God for the results. We will make mistakes but by resting in God's Word and His power through prayer, we can use what seem like our perils to showcase God’s grace.

We are prone to uses many excuses not to witness for God. Moses, when he was asked by God to lead Israel out of Egypt, made excuses. “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) The wording suggests that Moses had a speech impediment. But the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I,


the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say” (v.11).

Our handicaps are not accidents; they are God-designed. He uses them for His own glory. God's way of dealing with what we call “limitations” is not to remove them but to empower them and use them for good.

God went on to say “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.” (verses 14-17)

Even a little child can witness for God. Anne Cetas gave a short story in “Our Daily Bread” for July 14, 2005 entitled “From Sunset To Sunrise.” She told about Kariel who was admiring the sunset, when she said, “That sunset is so beautiful it looks like heaven!” She was asked, “Do you know how to get to heaven?” Kariel, who was only 5, answered confidently, “You have to have Jesus as your Savior—and I do!” Early the next morning, fire swept through Kariel's home, and tragically, she died. She was in heaven with Jesus at sunrise.

No one has the promise of tomorrow but we are tempted to ask why did a 5-year old girl have to die? The crucial question is not about her death but ours! Do we have Jesus as our Savior? Have we admitted our need for God's forgiveness of our sin and trusted Jesus as our Savior? Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and John 1:12 says “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Our sin separates us from God and requires judgment, but Jesus gave His life in our place: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the


judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Because some people actually laugh at my antics, some people are repulsed by my gestures, some people are puzzled by my responses, while others are exasperated by my seeming lack of awareness, I have built up a wall of excuses not to talk about what makes God so important to me. Just like Moses, I have plenty of excuses. Ironically, one them has to do with a speech impediment! I wrote this book partly to tell its readers that “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

Paul, in II Corinthians 12:7-8 referred to an unspecified “thorn in the flesh” that he repeatedly asked the Lord to take from him. But God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (v.9). Moses had to learn this truth the hard way—I don’t want to!

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Death

Chapter 9—Death

John Wesley was asked what he would do if he knew he had only a short time to live. He responded, “I should meet with my young men till the moment came that I was called to yield my spirit back to Him that gave it.” The psalmist also desired to pass along his understanding of the Lord to others when he penned, “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation [….]” (Psalm 71:18) One area of our usefulness may be to pass what we have experienced from God on to others during our twilight years.

Many people suddenly realize how little their lives have contributed to those most meaningful to them even though they've made successful business deals and had some fun along the way. In terms of satisfying friendships or lasting accomplishments, their lives haven’t counted for much. Measured by the world's yardstick of success, our lives may seem unrewarding but as we share our experiences with the next generation we pass on a heritage that multiplies itself and mushrooms into a sweet fragrance before God. We may not live long enough to share in those blessings, but we can relish in the thought that our influence is not ending with our death.

David once prayed “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them. And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.” (Psalm 39:4-7)

David seems to have been uneasy about something when he penned this psalm. We don't know


the circumstances that gave him such passion concerning the end of his life but some scholars suggest it was the death of some dear friend. As he contemplated his final days on earth, he wasn't asking God to let him know when the end was near which might be our first interpretation. He could not, in faith, pray such a prayer. God has nowhere promised to let us know. In wisdom He has locked up that knowledge. It would not be good for us to know it.

The text means, “Lord, give me wisdom and grace to face the end and to improve what I know concerning it.” What is death? To the wicked man it is the end of all happiness but to a godly man it is the end of all grief! It is a serious thing to die and the end of our lives comes quickly. It is something to prepare for.

When this body sheds its mortality to put on immortality it gives up a heritage described as a “vapor” for one that is described as a “glorious liberty” (Romans 8:21.) We cease to be simply a “shadow” and become “light in the Lord.” (Eph. 5:8) The "”handbreadth” of life we have now will be replaced by a life that can't be measured. Our vain search for riches in this life will be supplanted by a home made of gold. This world offers temporary satisfaction, but our confidence is in God.

I had the privilege to witness the miraculous power of Our Lamb through the life a dear friend, Anna G. Kokoruda. In September 2004 she was diagnosed with cancer that would not respond to radiation and although she had the usual human emotions leading to fear, she was more concerned for her husband’s well-being than her own.

At one time she wrote in a journal to God, “I feel anxious but have a peace about our decision [for surgery]” and in another entry she said “What a blessed peace you give.” She concluded, “Lord, I praise you in all circumstances” and “Lord, I know you are still in control—they can do only what You allow.”


In her second to last entry she admitted her frailty but acknowledged God’s superintendence: “I don’t know what the future holds or why this all came about but I trust You and love You.” She didn’t know the answers to “why” until later when she entered her last summation. She testified of her peace in the face of death to her impressed niece who also had cancer and after sharing some Bible verses her niece invited Christ to take control of her life. Anna’s assessment of this experience: “Lord, I’m so thankful for your plan of salvation. I’m so thankful for answered prayer and that Your Spirit prepared her heart.”

Anna told me that her niece would not listen to anyone preaching the gospel except Anna because she shared similar circumstances. She wanted the same peace that Anna had! The instance of cancer was Anna’s “open door of opportunity.” (I Corinthians 16:9) Anna’s only connection to her niece was an apparent calamity that God used to bring His redemptive gift into an otherwise hopeless situation.

The Bible reads in Psalms 116, verse 15: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” We don’t know who wrote these words but some scholars believe it means “the saints are too precious in the Lord’s sight, lightly to give them over to death.” Whatever it’s meaning, we all experience the death of one of our loved one's while we are here on earth. We may take comfort in knowing that they are with God if they have trusted in His Son for their hope of eternal life. Those that have taken Biblical care of their eternal destination can take comfort in knowing they will see their loved ones again, for it isn't the end of them but only the beginning--a beginning that may have resulted from merely our sharing late in life.

I have been to many funerals of loved ones in my latter years. One of the most difficult deaths to experience was that of my father’s in 1998. For many years he was under the illusion that his eternal state


depended upon how he acted and what he had heard. It wasn’t until my brother, Fred, presented a clear, Biblical explanation of what eternal destiny was all about that my father finally gave up his opinions on his eternal state and acted on Christ’s invitation for a home with Him. I found the following poem to minister to me. If you have experienced a similar loss, perhaps you will appreciate reading it.

Safely HomeI am home in heaven, dear ones;

Oh, so happy and so bright!There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever,Safely home in heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmlyTrod the valley of the shade?Oh! But Jesus' love illuminedEvery dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet meIn that way so hard to tread;

And with Jesus' arm to lean on,Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,For I love you dearly still:

Try to look beyond earth's shadows,Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you,So you must not idly stand;

Do it now, while life remains,


You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,He will gently call you home;

Oh, the rapture of that meeting,Oh, the joy to see you come!

-- author unknown --

Augustine wrote, “But not even the saints and faithful worshippers of the one true and most high God are safe from the manifold temptations and deceits of the demons. ...seek with keener longing for that security where peace is complete and unassailable. There we shall enjoy the gifts...gifts not only good, but eternal...also of the body renewed by the resurrection.” (Augustine [354-430])

For those who trust Jesus Christ, death is not an end to life. It is an ushering into the presence of a loving Lord. The apostle Paul understood this when he said, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54) Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we can look at death not as a period but a comma that precedes a glorious eternity with our Lord.

Paul also eluded to our new bodies when he said, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20, 21)

My mother faced a similar occurrence with her heart trouble. As a diabetic, health ailments for her seemed to be magnified beyond what a non-diabetic might experience. Early in her 80’s she had a stroke that landed her an assisted living facility. When she hit 84 everything seemed to deteriorate physically. One early Sunday morning, I got my first dreaded phone call. Mom had a heart attack and needed to be rushed to the


emergency room. She spent a week in the ICU area and life seemed bleak a first. She did experience improvement while there but it was difficult to stay focused on positive reinforcement when faced with so many negative aspects.

We call our older years the “sunset years.” But many elderly folks become bitter or despairing. To avoid this mindset, we must get focused on the eternal early in life. Much of how we think and act is shaped in our younger years so that the kind of person we will become is really what we are right now. Older people who find contentment and peace have had their focus on Godly matters during their younger years. They found early in life what sort of people they were was more than just feelings. A focus that brings sentiments of gratitude for Jesus and His gift of eternal life, begun early in life, helps us grow sweeter as the years go by rather than bitter.

David spoke of our latter years in Psalm 39, verses 4 and 5: “LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” Compared to eternity, our life is indeed a “vapor” that vanishes away just as we begin to understand what we should do with it! That is why it is so important to figure out what God expects out of us early in life. I guess if we’re busy doing what we’re supposed to be doing today, tomorrow will take care of itself, but there is a sense in which we need to take into account the brevity of our lives and be found using it for God’s purposes before it’s gone and we’ve missed all the wonderful opportunities to serve Him.

David went on to say “Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them.” We tend to think and act for the moment


and get caught up in the “daily grind” of trying to make a living instead of truly being alive and living life. When we leave this life, we leave the physical stuff behind—all we take with us is spiritual. David contemplated this aspect of living and came to the conclusion that, ultimately, only one thing mattered: “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.”

David acknowledged that his life and the length of his living was up to God, not him: “My times are in Your hand.” (Psalm 31:15) We can do some things to lengthen our stay here on earth, like eat properly, exercise daily, and refrain from smoking, but ultimately, God’s decision determines when we exit. I’m reminded of the story of a man who shook his fists at God, saying he’d go when he was ready. One day a storm came up suddenly while he was driving in the countryside. He saw a tornado in the distance coming his direction. He thought, “If I make to the ditch and lay down in it the tornado will jump over me.” He headed for the side of the road, stopped his car, and dove into the ditch just before the tornado stole away his car. Unfortunately for him the ditch was filled with rain and he drowned!

As believers we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. This old body doesn't deserve such a glorious Visitor but God has chosen to live inside our frail bodies so others can see His strength and not ours: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (II Cor. 4:7) We die a little every day since birth, yet inside, the Holy Spirit is making our spirits fresh and giving us new outlooks as we go through the trials of life. In the light of eternity our earthly problems begin to appear miniscule. “Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ.”

Sometimes we get impatient waiting for the permanent to replace the temporary, but we are asked to wait for the Lord's timing. By concentrating on the glory that awaits us, God will dim the gloom of this life:


“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Cor. 4:16-18)

This explains why Christians on their death beds smile. They are soon leaving their temporary dwelling place for that permanent and gloroious dwelling place that promises perfection: “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ...So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (II Cor. 5:1, 6-8)

Death and suffering are intruders into a once-perfect world. Eventually they will be dealt with and caused to disappear

As the saying goes, “Getting old is not for sissies.” Growing old is about losses. It is common to try to acquire things and wealth in our younger years but, later, to lose them as we age. We lose our strength, looks, health and job and perhaps, friends and wealth. There is one thing that we will never lose, however:—the attention of God. “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you!” (Isaiah 46:4)

God promises to be with us even when we lose our home, spouse, independence, and eventually our very life. When God determines that our time here is done, there’s nothing we can do to thwart Him. However, we can say with David “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear


You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You” (verse 19). In other words, when we do pass on, if we’ve done all we can to give God first place in our thinking and actions, we can look forward to a future that will far exceed our greatest dreams or expectations.

What of a loss that seems premature? Frankly, all loss of life seems premature to those we love. It is easier for disassociated friends to offer condolences for a lost loved-one and then move on with their own lives but it is not so easy to move on for those to whom the loss is close. I am reminded of some dear friends who were left me behind as a result of their moving on.

Tammy was a young mother of two. She passed with a form of cancer. She left behind two daughters and her husband. Tammy was a dear believer in the resurrected Christ. Her funeral was more of a celebration in her destiny and the comforts of her new home, and her daughters and husband presented themselves as bearers of blessing because of her life on earth. Was there a vacuum in their heart for their mother and wife? Certainly. But God was able to fill that vacuum with peace.

Shawn was ill from his youth and eventually it led to deafness. I never met a man that gave such glory to God! He loved motorcycles, and many of his friends that attended his funeral wore their “colors” and “leathers.” That day they heard from Shawn even in his death. Shawn, though he died young, left a Godly legacy that will be part of conversations years after his absence. Do his parents miss his presence? Certainly. But they are grateful that God has prepared for him a mansion.

Sheriff Steve was only an acquaintance of mine, and I was unable to attend his funeral. However, his wife’s E-mail address is still in my address book and I still carry on E-mail dialogue to this day. Steve had deadly cancer that his body fought for years. He


eventually lost the battle, but only after being a blessing to countless friends, neighbors, and loved ones. He’s in heaven today as “clean” as fresh air! Do his wife and children feel a void? Certainly. But God knows how to fill that void and make it useful for His purposes.

More recently, Michael D. Shaffer born in 1957 and who was plagued by attacks to his very personality, passed away in a hospital at Mankato, Minnesota. The verse in his memorial pamphlet was from John 11:25 and 26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.’” Many times I saw him in church sitting with and hugging his mom. Does she miss those hugs? Yes, but she committed her son to God’s care, trusting that He had a better place prepared for Mike.

There have been friends who left behind such a tremendous life of giving that their funerals were tributes to them. One such lady, Angie, who died of cancer gave so much of herself in life that both young and old did not want her to leave. Over 600 people attended her services and gave honor to her great gift of selflessness. Her family, former students, and dignitaries attended. Several pastors gave eulogies of her steadfast and unselfish character. Do you think she’s missed? Certainly. But God will touch all of their lives in His special providence.

Israel’s king David faced the premature death of one of his children. The story is presented for us in II Samuel 12:15-23: “And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground….Then on the seventh day it came to pass that


the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead….So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped….Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? …And he said, ‘While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' But now he is dead; why should I fast?”

This passage of Scripture records king David's admission of guilt when confronted by Nathan. David was forgiven, but God let the consequence of his sin fall on the baby conceived out of wedlock. David fasted and prayed to the Lord day and night for his son's healing. In spite of his sincere petitions, the baby died.

Instead of behaving like a demanding child and being angry with God, David got up, washed, changed his clothes, “went into the house of the Lord, and worshiped” (II Samuel 12:20). His actions teach us an important lesson: Sometimes we must accept “no” from God as the answer to our pleas.

In times of difficulty or loss, we should seek God's help and deliverance. But we must still trust Him if He does not answer our prayers the way we want Him to. Death is our enemy, robbing us of joy and hope if the triumph of Christ's resurrection doesn’t invigorate our heart.

Dealing with death can be frightening when there is a bleak promise of the future, but Jesus is both our Great Physician and our Friend, and He promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). When in the presence of a terminally ill person we can feel awkward, yet, some of the greatest opportunities to help someone come during a person's final days on earth. As an earthly friend we can at least stand with our friends and family in His name as their earthly journey nears its end.


The book of Hebrews teaches that we will all face death one day: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (9:27)

As believers in the gospel, news of death does not need to arouse dread. We know, as Paul joyfully assured us, that by His resurrection Jesus has broken the power of death and “brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Timothy 1:10). Death has been “swallowed up in victory” by the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:54). Its sting is gone (v.55).

A few hours before His death, Jesus told his disciples that He was going to have to leave them. Then, He said, “I will come again.” (John 14:3) When Jesus was taken up into the heavens by the Father, two men in white apparel told the disciples who were witnessing the ascension, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall come again in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

The return of Christ is probably the most mentioned theme in the New Testament. The return of Jesus is referred to over 300 times. The expectancy of the coming of Christ is found in every book of the New Testament.

Peter wrote, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ..” (I Pet. 1:7) James proposed, “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand…” (James 5:8) Paul recorded, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thessalonians. 5:23) John published, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” (I John


2:28) Finally, the Bible closes its record with, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22.20)

When Paul was in Athens in the midst of persecution and affliction, he wrote back to the Thessalonian disciples and raised a question concerning the return of Christ: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” He answered the question for them: “Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” Experiencing the nearness of Christ had produced such glory that in the midst the afflictions Paul was experiencing hope and joy. That is how we overcome our affliction--continually living in the expectancy of the coming of Christ.

Jesus will come to bring restoration. This is the eternal hope of every believer in Christ. Jesus will come again with His power of deliverance to save us in every crisis of life.

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Joy

Chapter 10—Joy

The book of Philippians in the Bible teaches us about real happiness. There are at least 15 instances of words akin to “joy” in just those four chapters (chapter 1, verses 4, 18, 25, and 26; chapter 2, verses 2, 17, 18, 28, and 29; chapter 3, verses 1 and 3; chapter 4, verses 1, 4, 5, and 10). The happiness found in this book is not an emotional experience that is dependant upon circumstances that can change, but upon decision. At least 25 times the words akin to “mind” are used in this book (1:7, 9, 12, 17, 19, 22, 27; 2:2 [twice], 3, 5, 20, 22; 3:10, 15 [twice], 16, 19; 4:2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 15). Our emotions need to be guided by reason. Isaiah 1:18 talks about reasoning (using your mind) with God to get rid of sin.

True joy is not being happy all the time. The dictionary defines happiness as emotions experienced when in a state of well-being. What happens when we're not in a state of well-being? We become unhappy. It can be said, therefore, that our happiness depends upon circumstances. Joy, however, does not come from how we feel at any given moment but who we are. Read the following verses from the Bible and discover the pattern of living apart from circumstances: “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” (Corinthians.8:2) “And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit. (Thessalonians. 1:6) “Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2) “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations.” (James 1:2)


There can be several hindrances to joy, however. The book of Philippians tells us what they are. In chapter 1 Paul makes reference to his “chains” (v. 7) but says they “actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that [his] chains [were] in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by [his] chains, [were] much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (verses 12-14) We can think of our own circumstances as possible robbers of joy unless we look at the eternal perspective.

In chapter 2 of Philippians we see a possible hindrance to our joy can be our mind. Paul warns us in verse 3 to “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit” but to let “this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (verses 5-8) Our minds can sap our joy if we allow haughtiness to ignore anyone but ourselves.

In chapter 3 we find a third hindrance to joy: inheritance. This inheritance could be tradition, education, or material possessions. Verse 3 warns us to “have no confidence in the flesh” but Paul tells us the things that were considered gain to him he “counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed [he] also count[ed] all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus [his] Lord, for whom [he] suffered the loss of all things, and count[ed] them as rubbish, that [he would] gain Christ.” (verses 7 and 8) Warren Weirsbe once said about material possessions that “when we want to possess things, we find them possessing us!”

Finally, in chapter 4 of Philippians worry can hinder joy, but Paul said to “Be anxious for nothing, but


in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4: 6 and 7)

In Philippians we find the remedy for removing every hindrance to joy: making Christ the center of our lives so everything else fits on the edge where it easily is removed or simply falls off. Our mantra becomes “for to me, to live is Christ.” (1:21)

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Hope

Chapter 11—Hope

Someone once said “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without adversity.” Adversity gives us the opportunity to see the true character of Christ. One of the most natural, yet wrong, reactions to suffering is to become self focused. Affliction tends to turn our eyes off of God and on to ourselves and our trial. When we suffer unexpectedly and cannot understand why, it is a very natural to become self-consumed in our struggle. We need to understand that not everything in life is about us specifically and individually. For the Christian who is walking by the Spirit, the focus of life should be on God and our fellow humans. Christians that practice “crucifying the flesh,” it is not quite as difficult to comprehend that suffering may be for our benefit. An individual who attempts to satisfy his own needs by arranging everything around what makes him happy, it becomes difficult to see that adversity can be a blessing.

A tornado rips through a community. A young child is in the hospital dying from a rare disease. Another couple ends their family with divorce. Loved ones are lost in death. A young man goes to jail struggling with a drug problem. A woman continues her brave battle against cancer with yet another round of chemotherapy. A woman is desperately trying to break the pervasive hold of an abusive relationship. Where can someone find God in the midst of this much tragedy? Where is the hope?

Paul, hurt and in prison, writing to a church in the midst of struggle was surrounded by hopelessness. Yet, Paul spoke of hope: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)


How did Paul maintain his faith? He continued: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Your body may be dying but with trust and faith, your spirit will strengthen. The tragedy and suffering you experience now will soon be replaced with God's glory that lasts an eternity. We must learn to look beyond our troubles to the joys of God's promises! But how do we do that? Maybe Paul answered it best: Our troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. If you are looking for God, don't give up. Pray, open your Bible, and God will soon find you!

As we embrace the idea that our life is for God’s purpose then when tough times come, our thoughts will revolve on “how does this glorify God and fulfill his purposes?” 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 begins to become alive in us. Hardships become a lesson because God is glorified. It becomes an exciting development in our life when we discover God is using our adversity.

There is no doubt that if we respond Biblically to adversity we will be misunderstood. It is “not natural” to respond to suffering with prayers of thanksgiving and the singing of joyful songs yet in Acts chapter 16, that's the Godly example set for us. Paul and Silas were thrown into prison after they had been beaten almost to death. They began praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening. Later on some of those who were listening wanted to know what they could do to have the same joy in their lives. By responding in a Spirit-led manner, Christ was glorified


and lost souls were saved because Paul and Silas saw their suffering as a way to further God's purpose.

Adversity also causes us to long to be with Christ and not be too content in this world. This sin-cursed world is not our home (1 Peter 2:11). Instead, it is a place where we can bring as much glory to God as possible by transforming us into the image of Christ (Rom. 12:1, 2). Every tough time should cause us to long to go to our real home and refocus our minds on our perfect eternity. (Revelation 7:16-17). 1 Peter 1:3-5 tells us that we have a living hope and that we have an inheritance waiting for us that can never disappear. Each moment of hardship and disappointment can become a reminder of what we have waiting for us in eternity.

It is not easy conforming to Christ's image in this regard. It takes a willful choice. We have to ask for God's strength. It helps to remember that people are watching us and by a Godly response, others may be drawn to Christ. For anyone living a life independent of God, hardship is something to be avoided and a part of life in which there appears to be no benefit. For the consecrated Christian, however, our merciful God takes what we have messed up through sin and turns our affliction into one of life's blessings.

We are not in control of life (Habukkuk 3.17-18) but the Bible has all the answers we need concerning adversity if we walk in the Spirit. (Psalms 19; 2 Tim 3.16-17; 2 Pet 1.1-3). We can't look at a table of contents to find an entry for every single specific circumstance that we will face but there is no dilemma or problem in this life that we cannot turn to the Scriptures and find an example or a principal that will help us get through our difficulties. The Bible is not another “self-help guide,” but it is our resource-book through which God reveals how He causes adversity to work for our good (Romans 8.28).


We can have confidence that God won’t leave us helpless to meet the challenges that He brings our way. He promised us a way out by which we can overcome our circumstances (I Corinthians 10:13) so that during tests we will benefit if we but yield our dependence to Him. He knows our endurance level since He created us. He knows what He wants to accomplish in us and how He is going to bring it about: “Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8-17)

When you examine a passage like Romans 1:16-29, you realize that there is some divine intervention taking place in our lives. God determined our purpose on earth before time began; therefore, doubt can be replaced with hope because God manages our future to match His plan. What a glorious thought—God is engineering my circumstances! He is at the steering wheel of my life if I let Him be. Contentment means I accept His decisions for my future. God’s control allows all things to contribute to making us more Christ-like

What should be my response to His guidance? He is the source of His own will, so I should have no trouble accepting His counsel: “..according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.”(Eph. 1:3-9) I first need to completely rely on His promises by taking Him at His word. Then I need to loosen hold on my circumstances by resting in God’s sovereign care. Lastly, I should be rejoicing in the moment knowing that God is using my circumstance for His purpose. I can do my best to solve my predicaments, but trusting God will prove to be a more profitable endeavor. Circumstances don’t determine our moral or ethical strength, they reveal them.

The church that was at Thessalonica suffered some struggles according to Paul (II Thessalonians 1:4-


7) so he prayed for them “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling…” (v. 11) He also stated that they would experience rest when Christ came back: “rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.” (v. 7) Our faith in God may cause us delayed reward but it is a certainty that we can cling on to in those troubling times.

Trust in God is a foundational principal of the Christian life. Sometimes, without giving any consideration to their spiritual maturity, we advise our friends or family to “just trust God.” The truth is that confidence in our Father is not automatic at salvation; it must be learned. Spiritual education in the area of trust begins with three truths we must accept. First, God is perfect in His love, which means He always does what is best for us. Sometimes we question the dependability of His perfect will for our lives, particularly when things look bleak. Unfortunately, we have the mistaken idea that easy circumstances are a token of God's love. Not necessarily true. A hallmark of the Father's love is difficulty and trial because He is committed to transforming us into the image of His Son. This is best accomplished through hardships. He loves us so much that He refuses to leave His plan for our life incomplete. Second, God is infinite in His wisdom. If God loves us and wants the best for us, He must know the right moves for us to make. He will direct our path if we allow Him. Sometimes we do not understand His reasoning, but we ignore His commands at our own peril. We cannot improve on the infinite wisdom of the Lord. Third, God is sovereign in His control. Nothing can touch our life except through His permissive will. In addition, He orchestrates events to bring about His perfect plan. When we recognize the loving and wise hand of God is always beneath us, we can fall into His palm with absolute trust. (Romans 4:16-21.)


How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Gospel

Chapter 12—The Gospel—Our Connection with God

As I was writing these thoughts, I was listening to an album by “Faith First.” A song entitled “Mercy Came Running” that was originally written by Dan Dean, Dave Clark, & Don Koch came on. It speaks of our connection with God:

Once there was a holy placeEvidence of God’s embraceAnd I can almost see mercy’s facePressed against the veil

Looking down with longing eyesMercy must have realizedThat once His blood was sacrificedFreedom would prevail

And as the sky grew darkAnd the earth began to shakeWith justice no longer in the way

CHORUS:Mercy came runningLike a prisoner set freePast all my failures to the point of my needWhen the sin that I carriedWas all I could seeAnd when I could not reach mercyMercy came running to me

Once there was a broken heartWay too human from the startAnd all the years left it torn apartHopeless and afraid

Walls I never meant to buildLeft this prisoner unfulfilled


Freedom called but even stillIt seemed so far away

I was bound by the chainsFrom the wages of my sinJust when I felt like giving in

CHORUS

Sometimes I still feel so farSo far from where I really should beHe gently calls to my heartJust to remind me

CHORUS

One Christmas celebration, my son Kenneth Carl (“KC”) received a gift encased in his Grandfather's own gun case. Grandpa Carl had recently passed away so he must have left it for Grandma to give. Inside that case was a shiny, like-new, rifle - one that KC had accidentally left outdoors to become rusted and ruined. Grandpa had repaired the gun. It was beautiful. The tears flowed from everyone in the room. Since Grandpa knew his time to meet the Lord was near, he included a note with the following poem:

I’m Spending Christmas With Jesus This Year

I see the countless Christmas Trees around the world below With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear, For I’m spending Christmas with Jesus this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear But the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.


For I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring. For it is beyond description to hear as angels sing. I can’t tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place. Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior, face to face? I’ll ask Him to light your spirit as I tell Him of your love, So then pray one for another as you lift your eyes above. So please let you hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing, For I’m spending Christmas in heaven and I’m walking with the King

Carl knew he'd have a home prepared for him in

heaven. He had been married to Marge over 45 years but his focus on earth revolved around telling the story of Jesus’ love to as many souls as he could. As a matter of fact, when I asked his daughter's hand in marriage, one of his first desires was for me to explain my spiritual condition.

Grandpa had been ill for several months before his death. On Sunday, October 24, 1999, Grandpa fell ill again. He collapsed into his chair, and said nothing. Grandma looked into his eyes and tried to rouse him from the chair. The only response she got was an empty, soulless-like stare so she called for an ambulance.

When he arrived at the hospital, his blood pressure was low and he had a high fever. The doctors and nurses did everything they could do to get his blood pressure up and his temperature down. A neurologist wanted to perform a risky procedure that carried the potential to kill Grandpa, yet, without it there would be no way to find out what type of infection was causing his illness.


Grandpa remained in a semi-conscious state for many days. He did not show any physical signs of communication with anyone except one day when KC came to see him nervous and frightened and talked with him! KC had hesitated to see him, but the one time he did visit Grandpa communicated with him. Afterward, Grandpa Packer passed away peacefully.

K.C. moved from California after his engagement to Tracy to Missouri where his grandpa lived and one of grandpa’s first conversations with K.C. and Tracy upon their arrival was centered around their eternal destiny. Carl devoted his attention to God’s plan. Consequently, Carl lived outwardly instead of inwardly. He was consumed by the needs of others ignoring his own personal desires. To him death became a time clock measuring his distribution of the salvation message.

One of Carl’s close friends and my one-time pastor was Pastor Ray Rogers. Ray’s gospel message appears in chapter 11. Ray was a very staunch believer who adhered strongly to the adage, “if the Bible says it, it is so.” Carl’s character was very similar to Ray’s so they shared a common bond in Christ.

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--Reward

Chapter 13—Reward

Sometimes we wonder where God is. David did. He said in the first verse of Psalm 10 “Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” He answers his own question in verses 16 and 17: “The LORD is King forever and ever…. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear….” Firstly, God is sovereign—we can’t see the future. Secondly, He does hear our prayers by making us humble. Finally, David says to us in the very next breathe, “In the LORD I put my trust.”

If you are ever believed you were insignificant, consider that you are a one-of-a-kind creation of God (Psalm 139:13-14) and there never has been and never will be another person exactly like you. Even more importantly, God values you (Matthew 6:26-30) and has gone to great lengths to bless you. II Peter 1:2-4 reads “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

These blessings come as a consequence of great cost to our Lord but we join in his divine nature when we suffer with Him. James says in the first chapter of his book in the Bible that “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” A verse written by an unknown author points out this in perspective: “Looking back, I clearly see all the grief that had to be left me; when the pain was o'er richer than I'd been before.”


Many people keep a calendar in which they record details of future commitments. Seldom do people prepare for a time alone with God. What would happen if we used it in the opposite way—not recording activities until after they've taken place? It would become more of a diary than an appointment book and allow us too meditate on how God prepared the day.

If we focus on the results rather than the strategy we might find God enabling us to live by faith. I use the word enabled because we couldn't do some things without God's help. Relying on God's strength, we can identify with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) By allowing God to strengthen and use us we can look back on our day, glorifying God as we realize what He has enabled us to do. We will no longer feel insignificant as we become a part of God’s plan.

Rather than facing the day worrying about what “bad” things may happen to us, we can look forward to how God is going to use us. Our daily activities begin to take on greater meaning and value as we attempt to view them from God’s perspective. As we ponder Christ’s suffering on our behalf we look less at our troubling circumstances as hindrances to our personal agenda but more as stepping stones to His goals. Logging our experiences rather than accounting for every minute in a scheduler allows us to end the day contemplating successes rather than failures. This makes it easier to face a new day with its many challenges—”How is God going to use me today?”

We learn that we need to let God be our Daily Planner. A large problem we have is that when we plan our day and something goes wrong we only have ourselves to blame. Our plans usually involve trying to obtain another buck and we don’t expect any “bad” experiences to thwart our goals. When we endeavor to find out what God planned, however, we begin to accept the “bad” experiences as His means of getting us where


we should go. Dennis J. De Haan, a nephew of Dr. M. R. De Haan, the original author of “Our Daily Bread,” wrote a snippet of rhyme for the monthly periodical, stating that “If we pursue mere earthly gain, we choose a path that ends in pain; but joy will stay within the soul when we pursue a heavenly goal.”

People that tend to leave no room for God in their schedule find it hard to see the “good” when it comes. “Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength…shall not see when good comes…Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters […]’” (Jeremiah 17:5-8) Even during a draught we can experience fruit if we put our confidence in the One Who made our day

Even the most malleable of plans, though, cannot prepare us for circumstances that surround us as we attempt to walk hand-in-hand with our Lord daily for is the inevitable change that takes place as a result of a move to a higher plane with God that we can’t plan for. Change is the one certainty in our world. Ours is a troubled world where dishonesty, injustice, and crime fill the news. The one constant seems to be change. Change is acceptable if it is for the better. We cannot plan for it but we must accommodate it.

By faith in Jesus Christ we can have a relationship with the unchanging God, however, who says of Himself in Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” God’s character is flawless, His actions are perfect, and He keeps every promise. He is “the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) We can depend on God to be the same forever: “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.”


(Psalm 102:25-27) He is our firm foundation, Who can give us confidence and security in this changing world.

We can have complete confidence in God because He knows what is happening for every person at every moment (Luke 12:2-3). God has total power over all things. Nothing is outside of His divine control (Job 42:2). There is no place or person in all of creation that is outside of God's presence.(Psalm 139:7-12). And, God cannot lie. He always speaks the truth, and His words are flawless. Therefore, we can trust His responses to our prayers.

How God Turns Adversity into Opportunity--God in Control

Chapter 14—God is in Control

The Bible reads in I Samuel chapter 16, verse 14: “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.” I’m sure scholars argue over the meaning of “a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him,” but one thing is clear to me: whether the “distressing spirit” emanated from God or was simply allowed by Him, it happened under God’s superintendence! Saul saw some troubling days after this incidence. God was getting ready to replace Saul with David as king over Israel. The passage reminds me that we always must be careful to do God’s desires in God’s way even if it doesn’t stand to our reasoning.

Sometimes, we just have to give in to God’s control even if we don’t understand it. Don't be impatient to get all what you expect in the first few years. It’ll come according to His timetable. Colossians 1:11 says that we will be “strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” The part that makes me tingle is when it says “according to His glorious power” because what other power even comes close to His?

It takes time to achieve peace, love, respect, understanding, and comfort! Sometimes you think you have it all (that's some kind of feeling, then you wake up!) Other times you think you've got nothing (that's when you rely on your commitment.) I’ve also learned that you can’t live vicariously through your children. As we allow them to become “themselves” with a little input from mom & dad, they are going to be lead through experiences that are designed with their future in focus, not ours.

We will face some uncertainty and our faith in His control will be tested. When Abraham was called out of Chaldea to head for the Promised Land in Genesis 12 he wasn’t given any specifics! We read in verses 1 and 2


that “the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.’” Paul (then called Saul) had a similar call in Acts chapter 9. All God revealed to him was “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Paul, blinded, got up and headed to Damascus where he met Ananias who, apparently, instructed Paul in the “Way” but there was no indication that Paul was going to meet with opposition from his own people and that later he would have to face some serious trials.

We are not giving control to someone who has limited knowledge but to Someone with infinite understanding of our situation. After all, Anyone Who can make something out of nothing, surely has enough power to figure out what we need to do in any circumstance. I think Solomon had some inside information but also some personal experience when he wrote in Proverbs, “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes--...When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet...For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:19-26)

There are times when we turn to human council because we think a particular person has had personal experience in the area we are facing, but when the person suggests that something positive will develop out of our adversity, we are offended by the well-meaning effort to get us to trust God’s promises.

The children of Israel experienced something positive when God was delivering them from Pharaoh (though, at the time, they couldn’t dream that God had something better planned). Pharaoh increased the


Hebrews' workload by forcing them to gather the straw they needed to make bricks (Exodus 5:10-11). They became so discouraged at first that they couldn't accept Moses' assurance that God had heard their cries (Exodus 6:9).

There are times when our hurts can cause us to ignore the hopeful words of God. On the other hand, sometimes there’s a problem we need to correct ourselves. In 1989, a major fire broke out under an elevated section of a New Jersey Interstate. It was said it was the worst transportation crisis in years. The fire broke out in a dumpsite in which construction debris had been collecting for many years. Apparently, there was a long-standing problem that was ignored.

That fire tells a basic story of life. Most of our problems don't just happen. They can be God trying to mold us but they can also be the result of a long series of bad decisions. Second Chronicles 36 illustrates this and reminds us that God will not allow His children to continue in sin. Even though He is longsuffering, His patience has a limit. Whether God is using a “disaster” to make us into a beautiful vessel for His glory or tying to clean up the one that’s already been consecrated to Him, our response needs to be the same: “the LORD will be your confidence…”

Some lessons are completed right away. For example, once we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior, our salvation is accomplished. Other lessons take longer to learn. Just when we think we have it down, something comes along to test our understanding. One of those lessons involves being content in all circumstances

Originally, a song, the following poem expresses God's sovereignty over our lives to make us into someone He can use:

He Is AbleHe is able, more than able

To accomplish what concerns me today.He is able, more than able


To handle anything that comes my way.He is able, more than able

To do much more than I could ever dream.He is able, more than able

To make me what he wants me to be.When we look closely at Philippians 4:10-13 we

can see two important principles. Firstly, contentment does not depend upon circumstances. Some things we just cannot control. But most people are discontent because they do not understand this principle: “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

The second principle is that our attitude is what determines contentment. When we experience anxiety we can respond with faith by “casting our cares upon Him.” (I Peter 5:7) Then, our sense of contentment will be unshakeable.

So why do we find it so difficult to trust Him? Often, it's because we're afraid that things won't go as we want them to unless we control them ourselves. Yet, the more we are in control, the more anxious and worried we become. Frightening circumstances are less troublesome if we trust the hands that control them. The hands that control the universe (God's hands) are wise and compassionate. We can trust them in spite of our circumstances and not be afraid. The sovereignty of God negates any self-control.

Author Hannah Whitall Smith wrote, “It is not hard, you find, to trust the management of the universe, and of all the outward creation, to the Lord. Can your case then be so much more complex and difficult than these, which you need to be anxious or troubled about His management of you?” David says in Psalm 44:8 says “In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever.” By giving control of our affairs over to God we honor and glorify His power to use our meager strengths for His designs. God enjoys our allowing Him to control


our outcomes when we are not able to meet His goals our ways.

What happens when “bad” people seem to be immune to the normal problems of life while “good” people seem to have avalanches of problems? We get frustrated and impatient. We begin to wonder if it really matters to please God. Since our goal is to please God in everything we do, it makes no difference in the “Big Picture” what we think. But our trust in God can be affected. We can believe a blessing awaits ahead, but, eventual blessing doesn't satisfy an impatient heart. We vent our anger at what we see as an unjust and unfair God. Then, slowly, wisdom creeps in to dispel the doubts. When we choose to trust Him in spite of our circumstances, we then move forward. By admitting that God is truly our only refuge and that He will restore our soul we can find spiritual safety and renewal. Our circumstances don't change, but we find new perspective from God's point of view. Our self-absorption gives way to God consciousness and our attention is directed to the needs of others. We finally see as God sees: the unsafe sanctuary of doubt and fear. The remedy for despair is in knowing there is a time and place for God to act. He controls the clock and calendar.

When we get our focus off the unfairness of life and onto the Giver of life, we are enabled to reap the spiritual newness of the Holy Spirit. We are enabled to understand how pain can produce greater faith just as a newborn results from the pain of birth. The all-sufficiency of God becomes our flagship leading away from ourselves and our problems (“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” [II Corinthians. 3:5]) We learn from our “unfair” experiences that God is greater than our problem, all that we ultimately need, and draws near to us in times


of strain. We learn that God through His Person and Power is in control.

Choices of the heart are the key. They determine of our destiny, not our circumstances. Disappointments of the heart brought on by circumstances do not diminish the greatness of God. Sometimes it is only through the valleys of hurt that God's greatness can be clearly seen. As the song says, “Jesus doeth all things well.” Regardless how the struggles of life are viewed, God's faithfulness stands ready. We have to know God deeply and personally, not just have a vague belief in Him as He has revealed Himself to all. This comes only through revelation that is bound in personal need—sometimes through catastrophe, sometimes through daily occurrences, but always through meditation. God’s understanding of our needs may be different from ours, but God stands ready to use our circumstances as we are prepared by His Word and the Holy Spirit interjecting eternity into our existence. We are promised struggles of some sort so that we can cherish our Companion Who's there with us. We don't have to face heartache or disappointment alone.

Belief that God is in control of our existence means God doesn’t ask our permission to carry out His will! Daniel recorded a grim outlook for King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 4 but he ended his vision by giving God His rightful place: “… till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” He added in verse 35, “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Romans 9:15-21 is even more forceful: “For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ So then it is not of him who wills,


nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.’ Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, ‘Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?’ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?”

God doesn't make mistakes! Part of His all-knowing attribute is His Sovereignty. A believing physicist once defined sovereignty this way: “God can do anything He wants, anytime He wants, anyway He wants, anywhere He wants, to anyone He wants, for any purpose He wants.” It is a simplistic but profound definition.

“I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things…that you keep this commandment…blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing…He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light…to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen." (I Timothy 6:13-16)

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How God Turns Adversity into Opprtunity