Recently a church mom hugged me and softly asked,
“how are you doing”?
I replied,
“not good. I’m going through right now.”
To which she smiled, nodded her head and said,
“good.”
I thought to myself, she mustn’t heard me.
I said,
“I’m not good. I’m going through it right now.”
Life is the greatest teacher of all things.
Your perception of life determines how you respond to the lessons.
Rap artist and business mogul, Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z recently said something that was extremely profound to me. He said,
“things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.”
Things happen in life.
Things will always happen in life.
No one can prevent things from happening.
However, we do have control of how we perceive, understand and respond to the trials and tribulations of life.
When she shook her head and said “good” she clearly understood the space I was in.
Moreso than me.
Knowing me, she was acknowledging that the space I was in wasn’t going to break me.
But it was an opportunity to grow me.
Her smile and response, unbeknownst to me at the time, was a kind gesture.
A motherly gesture.
It was a non-verbal,
“you’re alright, now watch GOD work” moment.
I felt it.
Even though momentarily I didn’t understand it.
Today I received confirmation.
As I was scrolling on social media, I read a post attributed to Albert Einstein.
The post read,
“in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
That caused me to seek more verbiage regarding adversity.
The next quote I found was
“adversity introduces a man to himself.”
Being the spiritual man that I am, I also had to seek the word of GOD.
I read 20 Bible verses about adversity.
- Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love GOD all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but nor forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
- Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
- Philipians 4:12-13 – I know how to be brought low, and I know hot to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which GOD has promised to those who love him.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. GOD is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 – Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which ourselves are comforted by GOD.
- Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your GOD; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- 1 Peter 4:12-13 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share CHRIST’s suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when HIS glory is revealed.
- Philippians 4:3 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
- John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
- Psalm 50:15 – And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
- Psalm 9:9 – The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
- Romans 5:3-5 – Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because GOD’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
- Hebrews 12:2 – Looking to JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD.
- James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Thank you GOD! Thank you JESUS! Thank you for the trials and tribulations. Thank you for the lessons learned. Thank you for sustaining me and getting me through. Thank you for my perseverance. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I’m ready now.
To anyone that’s in a tough place at this moment in life. To you, I say, “good.”
Thedewsperspective 
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