Adversity Can Distress Us Or Bless Us

ADVERSITY CAN
DISTRESS US OR BLESS US

by HELEN STEINER RICE



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.



OFFER THANKS WHEN YOU WALK IN SUNSHINE AND RAIN OR
EXPERIENCE BOTH PLEASURE AND PAIN.
H.S.R.





IN YOU, O LORD, I PUT MY TRUST;
LET ME NEVER BE ASHAMED;
DELIVER ME IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.



PSALM 31:1
NKJV



FOR THE LORD GOD IS A SUN AND SHIELD;
HE BESTOWS FAVOR AND HONOR.
NO GOOD THING DOES THE LORD WITHHOLD
FROM THOSE WHO WALK UPRIGHTLY.



PSALM 84:11
NRSV



PROVE ME, O LORD, AND TRY ME;
TEST MY HEART AND MIND.
FOR YOUR STEADFAST LOVE
IS BEFORE MY EYES,
AND I WALK IN FAITHFULNESS TO YOU.



PSALM 26:2-3
NRSV



SEARCH FOR THE LORD AND HIS STRENGTH.
ALWAYS SEEK HIS PRESENCE.



PSALM 105:4
GOD'S WORD



YOUR FAITHFULNESS CONTINUES
THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS;
YOU ESTABLISHED THE EARTH, AND IT ENDURES.



PSALM 119:90
NIV



I CRY OUT TO GOD MOST HIGH,
TO THE GOD WHO DOES EVERYTHING FOR ME.
HE SENDS HELP FROM HEAVEN
AND SAVES ME.
HE PUNISHES THOSE WHO CHASE ME.
GOD SENDS ME HIS LOVE AND TRUTH.



PSALM 57:2-3
NCV



THE RIGHTEOUS CRY AND THE LORD HEARS,
AND DELIVERS THEM OUT OF ALL THEIR TROUBLES.
THE LORD IS NEAR TO THE BROKENHEARTED,
AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT.



PSALM 34:17-18
NAS