A few days ago I published the post "A New Year A New Beginning". In that post I referenced a sermon that one of the ministers of our church preached. The title to is sermon was “You’re On The Eve Of Your Breakthrough". He told us to not give up even though we have “been waiting for what seems like forever for that job we need, deliverance from a habit, healing, salvation of a loved one, whatever you’ve been praying for”.
I came away from that sermon realizing that God, not me, determines the perfect time for my breakthrough. If I must wait for it, I trust that:
Matthew 6:25, 31-34 (NKJV)25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Psalm 25:3 (NLT)3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
In a post I published several years ago (See Discipline Versus Punishment) I shared a devotion from Dr. Charles Stanley, God Wants the Best for Us . In it Dr. Stanley said that God wants the best for us, even in tragedy, and while that tragedy may be discipline (chastisement) it is not punishment.
The following excerpt from the YouVerson Reading Plan, Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles To Live By, 30 Day Reading Plan from InTouch Ministries. In this expert Dr. Stanley says that the difficult circumstance you find yourself in right now may be the bridge to your breakthrough. It may be the training ground that you need to move to the next step in your relationship with God. It may be your internship before promotion. The key is to not look back to the beginning of the bridge buy keep your focus on God who is on the other side of the bridge with your breakthrough. The only way to get it is to cross the bridge.
I came away from that sermon realizing that God, not me, determines the perfect time for my breakthrough. If I must wait for it, I trust that:
- He will meet all of my needs;
Matthew 6:25, 31-34 (NKJV)25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
- His thoughts for me are for good things.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
- He’s even working the things that I think are bad for my good.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
- If I wait for Him I will never be disappointed.
Psalm 25:3 (NLT)3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
In a post I published several years ago (See Discipline Versus Punishment) I shared a devotion from Dr. Charles Stanley, God Wants the Best for Us . In it Dr. Stanley said that God wants the best for us, even in tragedy, and while that tragedy may be discipline (chastisement) it is not punishment.
The following excerpt from the YouVerson Reading Plan, Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles To Live By, 30 Day Reading Plan from InTouch Ministries. In this expert Dr. Stanley says that the difficult circumstance you find yourself in right now may be the bridge to your breakthrough. It may be the training ground that you need to move to the next step in your relationship with God. It may be your internship before promotion. The key is to not look back to the beginning of the bridge buy keep your focus on God who is on the other side of the bridge with your breakthrough. The only way to get it is to cross the bridge.
Burden or Bridge?
Life Principle 26: Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.
What is God’s goal in adversity? His basic objective is to draw us closer to Himself. He does not glory in pain or sorrow, but He uses these things to teach us about His love and faithfulness.
The moment adversity comes our vulnerability increases, and we may find ourselves wondering why God has allowed us to face such difficulty. Pain, disappointment, and trial are effective tools He uses to drive us to Himself and to the cross where we discover our personal need for a Savior. We're struck with a defining thought: I need God. We need His strength, wisdom, and forgiveness.
Whenever you’re confronted by adversity, always remember God has a purpose for allowing it to touch your life. He’s never out of control. He has a plan and a goal, not just for this situation alone, but also for your entire life. In times of difficulty, He is your immovable strength (Prov. 18:10), and He has promised never to abandon you.
When adversity strikes, one of the first things we should do is turn to the Lord and ask Him to show us what we need to learn in the situation. We may initially battle feelings of disbelief or denial, but the overriding thought needs to be one of trust and faith in God’s ability. The second step is to affirm our commitment to Him and set our focus on Him—not our circumstances.
Never forget that God knows the future! He understands the advantage of adversity and how it can be used to strengthen your faith, refine your hope, and settle your heart into a place of contentment and trust. Without times of adversity, you would miss the powerful experience of God walking with you through the valley times of life.
Therefore, determine to keep the focus of your heart on Jesus. Don’t let the negative talk of others tempt you to get off course. Stay close to the Lord in devotion and prayer. Read His Word. He will guide you through the greatest difficulty, and then you will know what it means to live in a broad place of blessing.
Life Principle 26: Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.
What is God’s goal in adversity? His basic objective is to draw us closer to Himself. He does not glory in pain or sorrow, but He uses these things to teach us about His love and faithfulness.
The moment adversity comes our vulnerability increases, and we may find ourselves wondering why God has allowed us to face such difficulty. Pain, disappointment, and trial are effective tools He uses to drive us to Himself and to the cross where we discover our personal need for a Savior. We're struck with a defining thought: I need God. We need His strength, wisdom, and forgiveness.
Whenever you’re confronted by adversity, always remember God has a purpose for allowing it to touch your life. He’s never out of control. He has a plan and a goal, not just for this situation alone, but also for your entire life. In times of difficulty, He is your immovable strength (Prov. 18:10), and He has promised never to abandon you.
When adversity strikes, one of the first things we should do is turn to the Lord and ask Him to show us what we need to learn in the situation. We may initially battle feelings of disbelief or denial, but the overriding thought needs to be one of trust and faith in God’s ability. The second step is to affirm our commitment to Him and set our focus on Him—not our circumstances.
Never forget that God knows the future! He understands the advantage of adversity and how it can be used to strengthen your faith, refine your hope, and settle your heart into a place of contentment and trust. Without times of adversity, you would miss the powerful experience of God walking with you through the valley times of life.
Therefore, determine to keep the focus of your heart on Jesus. Don’t let the negative talk of others tempt you to get off course. Stay close to the Lord in devotion and prayer. Read His Word. He will guide you through the greatest difficulty, and then you will know what it means to live in a broad place of blessing.
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