INTENTIONAL CHRISTIANITY THOUGH ADVERSITY
(Part 1)

The pursuit of Christ is full of pain and suffering (John 16:33). God uses adversity as a tool to skillfully craft the character of Christ inside your heart and mind.

Brokenness before the Lord is a necessity if you want to see effective change occur in your spiritual core. It cuts you open and allows the Holy Spirit to address the rotten elements of your thinking and behavior. The emotional scars of life that remain are a constant remembrance of God’s involvement in your life.

A positive response to trials and tribulation helps you achieve an eternal perspective (Philippians 3:12-14).When you allow God to be in complete control of your life, you will find the strength and perspective to rejoice through suffering (Philippians 4:4-7).

Paul pleaded with God to remove the thorn in his flesh on three different occasions. Jesus reminded Paul that His grace is sufficient for him. Sufficient is just enough with a little to spare (II Corinthians 12: 7-10).

How you respond to adversity (emotional pain, physical pain, unfavorable circumstances) will also reveal your commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2 of Rob’s Rhetoric…(part 2)