Adversity: Praising Through the Fire

Difficulty. Misfortune. Hardship. Problem. Trouble. Crisis. Distress. Unfortunate event. Complication. Pain. Affliction. Trial. Tribulation. Tragedy. Trauma. Obstacle.

What do we have in common as human beings? We will experience adversity in this life. Nobody walks through this life without experiencing pain.

Biblically, it says in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

This verse brings me comfort. Knowing that Jesus has already overcome the world reminds me that trials and sorrows will not overtake me. When I am in the middle of darkness and the night seems long, I can find peace in Him.

Knowing this truth and resting in this truth are different, however. You can know something to be true in your mind and still find it difficult to believe in your heart. Head knowledge and heart knowledge are vastly different as the latter leans more into emotions. We all know how beastly our emotions can be at times—leading us barefoot and blindfolded through a blazing fire pit littered with glass. We can find ourselves riddled with fear and anxiety. Yet if we listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, He will speak, “Come this way, my child. I will lead you. It is safe here.”

Well, great, Carissa. Thanks for the reminder that my life is going to be plagued by misfortune, problems, and one crisis after another. This is just the “positive read” I’ve been looking for! And they call you an inspirational writer?

Bear with me, readers. It gets better. The good news is that you CAN and WILL overcome this adversity! You were created to do just this. You were created from the DNA of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus has already overcome the world, which means we have that very same power living and breathing within us to overcome the world. When we learn to tap into this power, adversity and tribulation are no longer effective in bringing us to our breaking point. I have experienced many complications, distressing events, and obstacles in my own life—some brought on by my own stupidity and some which jumped me from behind and sucked all the air from my body.

But what have I learned from all of it? I have learned that through all the chaos, pain, and trauma, I must never stop praising my God and seeking the positive in the negative. I must remain relentless in the praise and worship of my creator. I must continue to say Hallelujah even if it comes out as a whisper. Praise and worship are our weapons!

Relentless Hallelujah. Incessant Rejoicing. Always a Relentless Hallelujah!