Five secrets when facing adversity

Posted by Janet Perez Eckles

A day at the beach, what lessons it brings! I held my 4-year-old granddaughter’s hand as our feet sunk in the soft sand. We made our way to the water. And the splashing began. “C’mon, Nana,” she squealed, let’s jump over the waves.”

Don’t know which one of us was having more fun. We jumped, swaying back with the force of each wave and laughed.

Then one big one, unexpected and higher than her splashed with force, nearly knocking her down. I held her hand tighter, “You okay, honey?”

She choked, gasped and coughed. “Yeah, I’m holding your hand, Nana,” she said.

A sweet feeling of delight washed over me. Her security was in the fact her hand was in mine.

How many times, when facing adversity, have I said the same thing to the Lord, “I’m holding on to you, Lord?”

In times when waves of hardship, and deep, deep pain nearly knocked me down, I choked with sorrow. And when I gasped for air when the force of anguish was painful, I held tighter.

In the ocean of life, here are five secrets to know when facing adversity:
1. God is bigger than any wave of pain.
2. Suffering is less when we hold on to His hand in anticipation of those waves.
3. We may choke but never drown.
4. Trust that we’ll lack nothing when our hand is in His.
5. Although circumstances may not change, His grip will keep us afloat.

I delighted in my granddaughter’s trust in me. Do you think God delights when you and I say, “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing’” (Psalm 16:1-2).

Father, those waves of hard times and disappointments keep coming. But your mercy, provision and protection still abound. I praise you because with my hand in yours, I can face adversity and withstand the force. For that I thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What waves of hardship are you facing?
• Whose hand are you holding on to?
• How deep is your trust in His power and protection?

Janet
Cheering you on to experience life, harvest its lessons and share their outcome.

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