TUESDAY - 17 JAN 2023: POWER FOR ADVERSITY

TUESDAY - 17 JAN 2023: POWER FOR ADVERSITY

Prayer Image
Type: Petition Posted by Edward Muss on January 16, 2023 19:18 pm

We are led to and through Hardships by The Help of the Holy Spirit!

Usually, we think that only Satan leads to adversity. True, Satan is a specialist in causing trouble for all believers. He is the mastermind behind the suffering of many people through deception, fear, oppression, and aggression [often using human agents] to accomplish his intentions. God does not tempt us, but He can test us using adversity. Immediately Jesus came out of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit led Him to a wilderness that no one would voluntarily walk into. For what purpose? To be tempted by the devil: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1-3). The Father wanted the Son to be strengthened through this experience. Satan tested Christ’s character, and Jesus overcame.

Why? He could withstand the wicked one by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  God helps us to grow through adversity. It is biblical to pray that God keeps us out of temptation. But when temptation and adversity come our way, it serves to grow our character: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” The Holy Spirit is always at work in our adversity, to shape our character to be more Christlike. Do not waste your adversity! 

Prayer

We soak in the Holy Spirit because He helps us through adversity. His presence is all that we need to overcome all the suffering we face—whether because of our faith or for any other reasons. 

  • Today, Invite the leadership of the Holy Spirit into your pain, fear, depression, and anxiety. He is a counselor, comforter, and helper!
  • Confess these verses: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:37-39.
  • Do you know a loved one pulling through suffering? What about the challenges facing the church of Christ? Ask the Holy Spirit for strength!