Most of my life I have attempted to get out of situations which, from my perspective, were causing me a lot of trouble. I didn’t realize that I was actually in conflict with the Lord because the things that were happening were tremendous opportunities for me to experience more and more of His abundant life. My problem was that I wasn’t able to distinguish between my life and my life situation. Now I realize that my life in Christ does not have anything to do with my circumstances. The events that happen in my environment are continually changing and there is nothing I can do about them. However, my life in Him is the one constant that never changes because no matter what I am going through, He is always present. Now, all I have to do is live in complete surrender to Him and embrace every incident with an awareness of His presence. The result is an incredible freedom that enables me to live in continual fellowship with the Lord.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”
Acts 14:22-23