[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Turning obstacles to opportunities

Read: PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26

Meditation verse:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4: 13).

Locked up in a Roman prison and abandoned by friends, Paul had many reasons to become bitter or give up on life. He chose rather, to see his situation as an opportunity to accomplish his assignment. Realizing that what he did with his situation was more important than the situation itself, he preached the gospel to the palace guards. This led to their conversion and the encouragement of others who had been afraid to preach the word.

Albert Ellis was a renowned 20th Century American Psychologist who founded REBT, a therapy for emotionally disturbed patients. Ellis was the eldest of three children in a Jewish family. His father was frequently absent, and his mother was neglectful and unavailable to her children. His parents divorced during his childhood, and he was sent to school at the age of four. Ellis was expected to cross busy roads without adult assistance, to get to school. He was seriously ill for much of his childhood and was hospitalized for long periods with infrequent parental visits. Ellis responded to this neglect by reframing it as an opportunity to become independent. He formulated several rules for effective living that were to act as a guide for him for the remainder of his life. Albert Ellis died at the age of ninety-four years. He left behind a legacy in the form of a world

renowned Psychotherapy training institute and a collection of self-help books to help people get ahead in life despite their challenges.

Each time I looked back at a particularly difficult period in my life, I have seen God’s hand at work in the situation. I have therefore concluded that God works out all things for good. Your challenges can become opportunities for you to grow, develop character and guide your journey towards greater fulfilment. They can become stepping-stones to your victories. Don’t get consumed by an abusive or a fruitless marriage, a cheating spouse, death of a loved one, past failure or other unfortunate circumstance. Look at that obstacle in the face and be determined to be the better for it. God’s power is available to back you up. Life is not made of straight victories, but of falls, stumbles, mistakes, and bruises. In what ways can you turn your biggest challenge(s) into opportunities?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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