“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:

he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

Psalm 92:12

We all have unpleasant experiences—a coworker gets on our nerves, a business partner betrays us, a child is troublesome, or a dream takes longer than expected. It’s easy to be frustrated and question why nothing is changing. But I’ve learned that God utilizes challenges, delays, and inconveniences to perform work in us. If the situation does not change, perhaps God is using it to alter you. Don’t just go through it upset, bitter, or outraged; grow through it. That is an opportunity to develop your strength, character, and spirituality.

We don’t grow as much when things are going well and rosy. We grow mature through adversity. According to the Bible, “the genuineness of your faith…is tested by fire” (1 Peter 1:7). When someone wrongs you, it’s a test. God is testing you to see if you would become bitter and try to repay them, or become better by taking the high road and forgive. When you don’t get the promotion you deserve, He’s testing to see if you’ll be upset and speak badly against the company, or if you’ll keep doing your best day in and day out, knowing that He has something greater in store for you.

The Bible states that while the Israelites were in the desert on their journey to the Promised Land, God didn’t take the simplest route because they weren’t prepared for war. The longer road, with its delays and obstacles, was not chosen by God to make their lives miserable. God was preparing them for adversaries who would have defeated them. The Israelites made the error of not growing through it. They failed the test. They grew pessimistic and bitter, complaining when things were difficult, taking too long, or not going their way. They spent forty years in the desert and never entered. They did not pass the test because they never grew, never developed their faith and character.

How you respond to difficulties will determine how quickly you make it into your promised land. God has excellent breaks, the appropriate people, and the resources for you, but you must first put your trust in Him so that He can strengthen you to handle it. You are tried in the fire of affliction, through disappointments, delays, and not getting your way. Recognize those as opportunities to trust God and let the Christ in you shine through to expose the true you. You’re not a coward; you’re a conqueror. You don’t crumble in the face of adversity; you are strong in the Lord, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) You don’t say you can’t take it anymore since you can do everything through Christ, who strengthens you. You don’t live insulted by individuals who have wronged you; instead, you allow God to be you’re advocate and promoter. That is how you grow through it, not just go through it.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 92:1-15

This Devotional is from:

“Live The New You – 365 Days Devotional in Living the Real You”