As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am really enjoying the little devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.
In the reading for November 3 she talks about being joyful in adversity. This is a wonderful way to choose to live. When we see everything as an opportunity to grow in our love for God and others, life takes on new meaning. We stop stressing about things and embrace them as one more obstacle and one more opportunity to watch God use all things to work together for our good. Life becomes an exciting adventure instead of a contest of endurance. I need to be reminded of this daily--moment by moment.
From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Nov. 3)
"Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits. The first is obvious: Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship. Another benefit is that disappointments, instead of dragging you down, are transformed into opportunities for good. This transformation removes the sting from difficult circumstances, making it possible to be joyful in the midst of adversity.
Begin by practicing this discipline in all the little disappointments of daily life. It is often these minor setbacks that draw you away from My Presence. When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost. It is only after much training that you can accept major losses in this positive way. But it is possible to attain the perspective of the apostle Paul, who wrote: Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, I consider everything I once treasured to be as insignificant as rubbish."
In the reading for November 3 she talks about being joyful in adversity. This is a wonderful way to choose to live. When we see everything as an opportunity to grow in our love for God and others, life takes on new meaning. We stop stressing about things and embrace them as one more obstacle and one more opportunity to watch God use all things to work together for our good. Life becomes an exciting adventure instead of a contest of endurance. I need to be reminded of this daily--moment by moment.
From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Nov. 3)
"Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits. The first is obvious: Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship. Another benefit is that disappointments, instead of dragging you down, are transformed into opportunities for good. This transformation removes the sting from difficult circumstances, making it possible to be joyful in the midst of adversity.
Begin by practicing this discipline in all the little disappointments of daily life. It is often these minor setbacks that draw you away from My Presence. When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost. It is only after much training that you can accept major losses in this positive way. But it is possible to attain the perspective of the apostle Paul, who wrote: Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, I consider everything I once treasured to be as insignificant as rubbish."
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
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