Adversity

ADVERSITY

BY HELEN STEINER RICE



THE WAY WE USE ADVERSITY IS
STRICTLY OUR OWN CHOICE,
FOR IN GOD'S HANDS ADVERSITY
CAN MAKE THE HEART REJOICE.
FOR EVERYTHING GOD SENDS TO
US, NO MATTER IN WHAT FORM,
IS SENT WITH PLAN AND PURPOSE,
FOR BY THE FIERCENESS OF A STORM
THE ATMOSPHERE IS CLEARED AND THE
EARTH IS WASHED AND CLEAN,
AND THE HIGH WINDS OF ADVERSITY CAN
MAKE RESTLESS SOULS SERENE.
AND WHILE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR
MANKIND TO UNDERSTAND
GOD'S INTENTIONS AND HIS PURPOSE
AND THE WORKINGS OF HIS HAND,
IF WE OBSERVE THE MIRACLES THAT
HAPPEN EVERY DAY.
WE CANNOT HELP BUT BE CONVINCED
THAT IN HIS WONDROUS WAY
GOD MAKES WHAT SEEMED UNBEARABLE
AND PAINFUL AND DISTRESSING
EASILY ACCEPTABLE WHEN WE
VIEW IT AS A BLESSING.









HAVE NO ANXIETY ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING
BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING
LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE
PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING,
WILL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS
IN CHRIST JESUS.



PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7






BUT THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE LAND,
AND DELIGHT THEMSELVES IN ABUNDANT PROSPERITY.



PSALM 37:11
NRSV



THE HUMBLE SHALL SEE THEIR GOD
AT WORK FOR THEM.
NO WONDER THEY WILL BE SO GLAD!
ALL WHO SEEK FOR GOD SHALL LIVE IN JOY.



PSALM 69:32
TLB



YOU CROWN THE YEAR WITH BOUNTIFUL HARVEST;
EVEN THE HARD PATHWAYS OVERFLOW WITH ABUNDANCE.
THE WILDERNESS BECOMES A LUSH PASTURE,
AND THE HILLSIDES BLOSSOM WITH JOY.
THE MEADOWS ARE CLOTHED WITH FLOCKS OF SHEEP,
AND THE VALLEYS ARE CARPETED WITH GRAIN.
THEY ALL SHOUT AND SING FOR JOY!



PSALM 65:11-13
NLT



HE SPLIT ROCKS OPEN IN THE WILDERNESS,
AND GAVE THEM DRINK ABUNDANTLY
AS FROM THE DEEP.



PSALM 78:15
NRSV



SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG,
BECAUSE HE HAS DONE MIRACLES.
BY HIS RIGHT HAND AND HOLY ARM
HE HAS WON THE VICTORY.



PSALM 98:1
NCV



TRUST THE LORD AND HIS MIGHTY POWER.
REMEMBER HIS MIRACLES AND ALL HIS WONDERS
AND HIS FAIR DECISIONS.



PSALM 105:4-5
CEV