Look at the picture to the left and consider the statement in the upper right hand corner. "Adversity introduces a man to himself." Consider if you believe this statement to be true and why or why not.
Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
Where’s the adversity your dealing with coming from? Is it God, the Devil, others, or self?
When dealing with adversity sometimes you will have to wait for it to pass, you may have to go over it, under it, around it or perhaps through it.
Adversity is always either a stumbling block or a stepping stone. Which one it is for you generally depends on your attitude.
Consider what Judas did to Jesus.
In one sense of the word what Judas did could’ve crushed the majority of people. They never would’ve been able to recover from such a betrayal. However for Jesus, Judas was simply the unwitting person that kicked Jesus into his ultimate destiny.
Key’s to Triumphing over Adversity
- Pray – find the will of God for your situation.
- Read –find a scripture to “hang your hat on” for your situation.
- Counsel – Seek GODLY counsel from someone you admire/respect in the spirit.
- Listen / Meditate / Speak the Word – When God speaks and you have a word listen to it by meditation and confession.
- Stand – When God’s spoken to your heart and you have a word from heaven then stand and believe.
Luke 22:39-44
39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
2. Read
Find a scripture to identify with your specific situation.
- Sickness
- Sorrow
- Financial Distress
- Bondage
- Sickness
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
- Sorrow
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
- Financial Distress
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Luke 6:38
38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
- Bondage
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
John 8:31,32
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Romans 6
14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
3. Counsel
Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
4. Listen / Meditate / Speak the Word
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Mark 11:23
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
5. Stand
An example from the Old Testament
Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
Ephesians 6:13,14a
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then,
Let’s approach God today in conclusion for the wisdom, grace and strength to convert our adversities into stepping stones!
If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
by Tony V. Hammack