Dear Brides, after reading Chapter 3 "The Wave of Adversity" of Living the Abundant Life you will probably feel like I did when I first read it. And that is wishing that you had read it long ago so that you would have reacted differently towards trials that came up against you.
The most exciting thing that you will learn is the BLESSINGS that you can reap from those that want to take from you and speak hurtful things about you or misuse you.
To share a specific example, recently I received text messages from my sister-in-law regarding stuff of my deceased dad-in-law that she saw my EH selling online but was not happy about it due to sentimental reasons and I bore the brunt of her messages. It would have been very easy for me to get upset by the messages and reply with how I really felt, especially about the fact that I had nothing to do with it, but seeking Him He showed me the best way was to instead reply with kind, loving words.
I sought my HH about the situation and He is so good for working it all out, because, despite my EH getting mad he decided to give his sister the stuff. So Praise Him for working it all out in the manner of the teaching of this Chapter 3 "The Wave of Adversity" 🙂
I wish that I had learned all that I learned from this chapter years ago. When I was newly married I was faced with the situation of having my younger brothers stay with me. It took its toll financially mostly and in other ways. But I know that if I knew the principles of this chapter that I would have handled things differently and those trials would have ended up being a blessing as I sought my Love knowing His word for wisdom.
I also learned not to resist an evil person that comes against me or wants something from me or says something hurtful. But to instead give them more than what they asking for and to give a gentle answer in return and not return insult for insult but to rather say something nice, helpful and edifying. I learned that there is a completely different Christ-like way to handle a situation instead of a worldly way which would be to sue or get back what was taken, instead, this lesson teaches you to give more and to let go. Having more of His love will allow you to do this.
Matthew 5:39-42 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
Dear Brides, Chapter 3 “The Wave of Adversity” will truly be an eye-opener and make you wonder. This is a principle that you probably would not have heard about before but it is so very powerful! I once put what I learned in this chapter to the practice and boy it was hard. That I actually went to the bathroom and cried it hurt so much but I wanted to be obedient to His word. I reaped a really unexpected blessing from that obedience and now I even look for those opportunities.
This book has been nothing but a blessing in my life. But let me say that it takes a heart that will be obedient to His word no matter what. It will take blind faith and trust. The rewards reaped will be MORE than worth it!
“Better for Me Then, than Now”
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Do you want to know how to begin Living the Abundant Life? Start by doing our Finding the Abundant Life Course.
Follow our #FAL Tag every Sunday for our Encourager blog to read the PRAISE from these life-changing books.
Restoration Fellowship
“A Church without Walls”
Restoration Fellowship is moving to a new site, and along with this move comes exciting new weekly messages currently being written. But first, our HH led us to go through the first series again—a series of short Living Lessons many of us had been longing to read again.
Whether you are a Fellowship member or would just like to visit and come away encouraged, we hope you enjoy this Wednesday’s Weekly Living Lesson—posting each and every Wednesday.
*If you missed last week’s post, we’d suggest starting at Week 1 and give yourself a full week, allowing Him to drench you in the dew of its truth.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.”
—Psalm 23: 1-3
Week 9 “Two-Way Communication"