11 Habits that turn Adversity into Advantages-by Heidi McLaughlin
Posted: July 9, 2018
If you only had 30 days to live what would you do differently? I’m quite certain the first thing you would do is quit your job and lean into people and things that are most important to you. Many people are not really willing to live fully alive, until they know they’re going to lose what they already have. So why not start living full out, not stuck in the “if only’s”, letting go of resentment and past hurts and using your past adversity as a springboard into your very best life?
Our world is infatuated with comfort and well-being. But we need to embrace our adversity. Each and every form of our trials brings a great opportunity to be seized for something much better. You and I, with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, can turn every affliction and pain into a new advantage and lasting joy in all circumstances.
If we so CHOOSE.
We’re all going make mistakes, and some of them will be doozies! Trials and pain are not designated to a select few. The Bible doesn’t coddle us with that fact in in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble”. Here are some habits of people who chose to be overcomers:
- They stay grounded in God’s words and trust Him for every provision.
- They know that life comes in seasons, and everything in life is temporary.
- Adversity has helped them to see people without judgment and jealousy.
- They pray to overcome anxiety and worry.
- They forgive past hurts so that they can live freely and fully.
- They don’t get offended easily or sweat the small stuff because they know they need to focus on the things that have value.
- The think BIG. They believe the verse: “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
- They are grateful about everything. “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- They know they are God’s masterpiece and that God has a purpose for them. (Ephesians 2:10).They are not distracted by other bling along the way.
- They show compassion and kindness to everyone around them. They give money to street people and let God be the final judge.
- They have tribes to help which will help them rejoice and to grieve.They feel free to laugh and cry.
The fact is, life is hard.
God uses adversity to build certain qualities deep within our characters that cannot be fully developed in any other way. The secret to happiness is to lean into the hard stuff and be an overcomer. Sounds easy on paper, but living it out can be hard. Start with overcoming a small disappointment, being patient when you’re irritated, then forgiving a minor offense. Step by step, chose to tap into your strength until it becomes a habit. With every adversity lean into God and let Him transform that pain into an advantage that will let you live fully alive.
Then you don’t have to worry if you only have thirty days to live; because you’ve already been living full out every day of your life.
