Hi friends and happy Wednesday!
Today I’m writing on a hard topic. Well, at least it’s a hard one for me. Adversity comes in so many areas of life. At times, it feels non-stop. Not just in my own life, but in that of some dear friends and fellow authors. Those I know well and others I’ve only met a few times, but my heart aches for their losses. For the adversity they face.
I looked up adversity in the dictionary and it said:
Adversity: a state or instance of severe or continued difficulty.
It was the “continued” that really hit home. Living with a chronic illness and depression, adversity doesn’t just knock on my door, it lives in my home at times. At times is the key. It may continue to hammer us. It may take a lot of perseverance. It may take years of prayer, but I believe Christ’s words.
I like this translation because adversity can be heavy. It can wear us down. As some of the synonyms below reflect, it refers to deep hurt.
The synonyms include hardship, stress, suffering, or sorrow.
I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all encountered adversity in our lives. God’s Word tells us we can expect trouble.
Other translations use different words to describe the trouble we will have. Words like tribulation, suffering, oppression, distress, or affliction.
There are many other bible verses that speak on adversity, which I think it’s mentioned so often because most, if not all of us will deal with adversity at some point in our lives, in our walk with Christ. For further personal study, if you’re interested, you can look up:
Our characters often face adversity. Reading about men and women who face adversity and persevere through their dependence on God grips my heart. Several books have really spoken to my heart his way. One is The Protector by Dee Henderson. It was the first Christian novel I read. It was a gift. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Christian fiction at the time, but I devoured it. It reminded me of a favorite verse from Psalm 34.
It’s the ‘but’ that’s important. It’s our lifeline. But the Lord. He is our anchor. He is the one who delivers us.
While Jesus tells us that we will have trouble and adversity in this life, He also promises us:
So if you are in the trenches of adversity, my prayers go out to you, but take heart God’s got you and you will overcome. We, in Christ, are more than conquerors.
Reader Question:
What book have you read that has encouraged you in difficult times?
Blessings,
Dani
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Thank you for this wonderful reminder. The chronic pain and exhaustion of Rheumatoid Arthritis sometimes wears me to the point of wanting to be left alone or giving up on all world interaction. Then prayer and reminders like yours give strength and determination. My life is not what it was, BUT it is the life of Christ. And that makes all the difference.
Thanks so much for sharing, Susan. I really appreciate it. I know the must be so difficult. I’m glad you found the post helpful. Believe me, I have those days too. Saying a prayer for you 🙂
Love this post, Dani. Thanks for the beautiful reminder.
Thanks so much, Robin. So appreciate you taking time to stop by.
Thanks for sharing your heart today, Dani. We all need a daily dose of hope to keep us moving forward. I’m so thankful that God’s mercies are “new every morning” for I need them every day.
So true. Every day is a new day and such a great reminder that his mercies are “new every morning.” Thank you 🙂
Thank you for sharing from your heart. I always appreciate Christians who are honest–being a believer does not mean we expect or receive a bed of roses. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for taking time to stop by and leaving such a sweet comment. I really appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing. I can’t think of a specific book but I do find encouragement in the Christian fiction I read as well as an escape for my anxious mind, which is much needed at times. Praying for you today, Dani.
Thank you for this! My husband and I both suffer from autoimmune diseases, he has Ankylosing Spondilitis (a serve form of arthritis) and I have osteoarthritis. The books that helped me to deal with this are Grace Livingston Hill (her characters overcame much) I also read about the Jewish persecution (if they can go through what they did, so can I)
Thanks for sharing, Dani. We’re in a hard season of adversity, and have been for quite a while (read years). Clinging to Christ every step of the way. “Because He Lives” is my go-to hymn this year. Praying for you in your continued battles.
Thanks, Dani, for all the wonderful Scriptures!
I finished reading a book last week that was quite encouraging. The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow, by Kim Vogel Sawyer was set in Kentucky, during the Depression. What hardships and poverty the people faced! The characters also faced prejudices and ignorance–but Addie, the main character, showed love and kindness to all, in spite of being mistreated. And she extended grace to–I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’ll say no more, in case you want to read this novel. Blessings!
I have an inspirational book by Roma Downey I use.