mountains & valleys

It is easy to praise God on the top of a mountain.  Of course, a mountain is a metaphor for the good times in our life.  But, we have to learn how to praise God in the valleys of our life...those tough times in our life.

When I hear about people who have a problem believing in a god or struggle with God, one common issue I hear is what to do with evil.  After all, we teach the "Reap and Sow" principle.  That is whatever you plant (sow), then you will harvest (reap) the same.  If you go around doing good, then good things will happen to you.  So, as Christians, how do we deal with adversity.  Dr Stanley points out some key points when understanding adversity:

• Adversity gets our attention (Ps 77:2)
• Adversity leads to examination (Ps 77:6-12)
• Adversity leads to change in behavior (Ps 119:67)

And I would add a couple more things to consider:

• Adversity expands our ministry (2 Corin 1:3 & 12:9-10)
• Adversity Builds Character (James 1:2-4)

So, when adversity strikes and the dust settles, take a fresh look on the situation and examine how you are different having gone through it.  The adversity in my life has ended up being the most significant growth!