ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

Team:

Do we ever ask why when adversity comes our way?

King David said, "it was good when God afflicted me." In Psalm 23 David said, "the Lord is my Shepherd."

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

Does that mean we are like sheep?

David said, "thy Rod and Staff Comfort me!"

How does the Shepherd use a Rod and Staff to afflict and comfort his sheep?

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

He uses the Rod and Staff to get the sheep moving in the right direction. He also uses the Rod and Staff to keep His sheep out of Trouble.

It is the same with us. The Lord will use His Rod and Staff to move us in the right direction and to keep us out of trouble.

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

At times we see the Shepherd break the leg of the lamb that keeps wandering off. Then the Shepherd puts the lamb on His shoulders and brings him back to safety.
We see that as Cruel but the Shepherd sees that as Grace. Why?

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

By breaking the lamb's leg the Shepherd is actually saving the lamb's life from the beasts. He then puts the lamb on His shoulders to reassure or show the lamb His love.

The Rod and Staff shocks the lamb to get back in line with the other sheep.

David says that the Rod and Staff actually comfort him. The comfort is in knowing where the boundaries are.

We are programmed to subconsciously want boundaries. When we wander off into the unknown outside the boundaries we lose our Confidence and Strength because we don't have a home base to get back to.

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

The Rod and Staff will be a little painful now but will keep us from a much more devastating painful circumstance later?

That is right! As odd as it may seem God will actually do whatever it takes to save us from wandering off. Why?

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

So we don't get destroyed by the enemy!
All of us want to be comfortable and live a stress free life however the Lord knows that "Comfort" can be dangerous if we wander off.

So in the grand scheme of things the pain from a swat or a broken leg actually gives us Comfort compared to what is waiting for us if we wander off.

This is hard to accept but true. If my child keeps running in the street I have to discipline him or he will get run over by a car.

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY!

Friends, learn to say thanks for the adversity that comes in your life because the adversity actually makes you Stronger.

With this new found Strength you will be able to do "All things through Christ who gives you Strength!"

ADVERSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW FOUND STRENGTH!

Just Go!

Rick