Welcome to the blog of Pastor Alton Stone, from Simpsonville, SC. Pastor Stone is a retired Ordained Bishop of The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee with over 45 years of pastoral ministry.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Adversity

One of the sure things in life is that there will be adversity that visits time and time again. For those people who do not believe this fact, maybe it is only because you have not yet reached that point in life. Those who had had to face adversity, there are several things that we all have in common. 

One of these commonalities is that each adversity can be viewed as a total setback, or as an opportunity to overcome the problem. There really is no other way to look at the issue. You either take the adversity square on the chin and fold, or you take the hit, keep standing, and find a way to move around the adversity. 

If you try and overcome adversity alone, you can have a bad time of it but if you turn to God as your first option, an option that gives you peace and strength to help you see the situation as different, you have a hope of getting through this problem. 

Adversity in and of itself is not to be feared - it is only the lack of knowing what to do, how to approach it, and what view for the future you hold that presents a concern. Adversity is nameless, blameless, and devoid of any emotion unless you give it. 

When you decide that adversity has no power over your choices, and when you put your faith in God, all adversities are no more than inconveniences that can be overcome. 

Not everyone, unfortunately, has the natural ability to overcome issues of concern but with the power of God, there is hope in the form of friends or family to help you on your way. God did not plan for you to go into any situation alone and armed with his love and with your faith you will be able to find those that will stand with you on this earth in the presence of God. 

The other aspect of adversity that is known to those who have the ability to know they have choices is that each occurrence of adversity is one, if not, the best teacher about life there is. There is no life that sees only good times where there are no valleys of despair or hurt. Life is not a bed of roses without the thorns being active. 

Take heed in knowing that adversity need not rule you for it is you that rule adversity armed with God and your given talents and abilities to overcome. 

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