Skip to main content

Living in God's Power-Overcoming Adversity (with podcast episode #18)



Have you ever had to overcome anything so big that you didn't know how you were going to get over it? Have you ever been confronted with obstacles that have slowed you down, tripped you up, or knocked you out of the race? Well, guess what? You can overcome adversity, because if I can, anybody can. I've come to tell you.

In last week's podcast episode, I discussed the Introduction to Bill Hybels' book, Living in God's Power, Finding God's Strength for Life's Challenges. I am doing a 7 week book study on Hybels' book. The book study discusses the ways we go about getting to the next level in what God has for our lives. Last week's episode also talked about what Hybels says about securing a posture of overcoming anything that comes our way. Some of those things were: not giving up, not caving in, and no matter what life throws our way or how harshly we've been treated, we have the power to succeed, win, and overcome as long as Jesus in on our side. In other words, we can make it as long as we stay close to the Lord.

In this week's episode, we will discuss how to overcome adversity when you've been through the valley and the storms of life. In session or chapter 1, Hybels says, "adversity can come pounding down on us in many different ways. It may come in the form of a financial, relational, or emotional beating. It may come from a stranger or from those closest to you. Or it may come out of the clear blue sky' (p 11). In other words, adversity will come. Yet we can and will overcome anything that "ails" us when we live in the power of God. I am indeed a witness to that.

I remember a time when I worked around a few women who would go to a room during our lunch break and gossip about me. Me. When I heard about it, I couldn't believe it. What was so interesting or important about me to be the target of discussion among them? I couldn't imagine giving anybody that much attention and stage time. Anyway, I was more surprised than bothered by it when I heard about it. But, it did disappoint me to a certain extent when I realized that the same women who butchered me with their mouths, were the same ones who would laugh and joke with me a few moments later. All of that could have taken a real emotional toll on me if I had let it, but when you've been through hell, those things don't bother you. And if you too are going through or have gone through any adversity, you can sail right through it. Just don't dwell on those things that will do you no good. Just keep it moving, because when we know who we are in Christ, we can do just that -- forward march. We have the ability to let the negative rub right off of us. We can say, goodbye adversity, you will not live in my life.

Remember, we can and will overcome adversity. On page 14, Hybels says, 'if we are going to overcome the adversities in this life, we must know what we believe. False beliefs can poison our thinking and weigh down our hearts. When facing the struggles of life, some basic beliefs must be firmly implanted in our minds or we are bound to get in trouble." Another way of putting it is, negative situations don't define who we are when we already know who we are. We can still think on High, which means taking things to God, because we are wonderfully and fearfully made in Him, right? Oh yes, Psalm 139:14 tells us so. And know this: the Lord is close to those who have suffered or will suffer from adversity (Psalm 34). All we have to do is continue to praise and worship Him and He's got us covered. With Him on our side, we can overcome adversity and anything coming our way. Don't think that anything is too big for the God you serve and don't "lose sight of the fact that there is a tomorrow and there is a good God who rules over it" (p 15). You are going to win. Believe that. 
 photo ISH Signature_zps7zfuxzga.png

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Protecting My Peace - Day 98 - Momentum and Movement, That’s What's Up

Click to listen to current podcast episode. “Never Giving Up” are power-words — strong affirmations that give us momentum and movement. That’s what’s up. We can do so much more in our lives when we have momentum and movement. It’s about standing, literally and not sitting or laying around feeling sorry for ourselves. I used to do that once upon a time and that sorrowful thinking is for the birds. We don’t have to be down. We can get up and get going even if we start small. In fact, I love starting small, because it helps set a firm foundation of habits and routines. Momentum and movement will help us get and maintain a position of strength to do what God says we can do. CLICK  to get my latest ebook collection that will help you get MOVING regarding the things you want in your life.  

God blesses whomever he wants to bless, whenever he wants to bless them

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. When I was going through a dark time -- when I had nothing -- there was a certain person who helped me sometimes. She helped me whenever she basically felt like it, but she did help, and for that I'm appreciative. But, something interesting happened after I started growing out of my despair. Something interesting started happening when I no longer needed her for anything. And something interesting happened even though I remained kind and grateful towards. The interesting thing that happened was that she started hating on me. She started treating me differently. At first I was really bothered by it, because I thought she and her husband were nice people I wanted in my life. I liked that they had a sense of compassion and were interested in helping people who were down and low. That really appealed to me, because I was raised that way; my mother was raised that way; her mother was raised that way, and it goes back to as fa

Protecting My Peace - Day 96 - Disciplining Ourselves for Next Level Greatness

Click to listen to today's podcast episode. When it comes to next level greatness, we have to know that applies to us, not just everyone else. Do you know what God has for you? Do you? He has GREATNESS for you. Yes, YOU -- all of us. It's about doing what you can do and only you can do. You are the only one with your DNA -- none of us. is the same Yet, even when we're feeling down, discouraged, and out, those emotions are only temporary. None of us has it all together. Sometimes I procrastinate and put things off when I know I should be doing better. Yet, I am not as diligent and disciplined as I can be sometimes. Like when it comes to working out, I delay it, because I don't like it anymore. And although I love reading the bible, I haven't been reading it as often as I should lately. Yes, I, Sharon, the Faith Coach, do not do the things I'm supposed to do when I'm supposed to do them. And that my dear friends should not come as a shock to no one. It certa