Strength in Adversity

Over the past few months, I’ve interviewed person after person who have come to the end of themselves.  They had hit the bottom we all fear.  They were robbed of who they were in title, who they were in worth, and who they were intrinsically.  Well, at least they thought they had lost all of those things.  I’m not kidding.  I would not want any of their journeys: cancer, divorce, death, loss, addiction and pain…lots and lots of pain.  But as they climbed their way out of the darkness, they found light.  Light that revealed a part of themselves that had always been there hiding in the darkness: not just their strength but their passion.  Once discovered it couldn’t be lost.  Now, these same people who were shattered are shiny and new.  They are some of the most joyful people I know.  You can hear it in their voice.  You can see it in their person.  They are authentic and true and more connected in spirit than ever before in their lives.

These overcomers have a special power. They know the night will fade and the daylight will glow in the morning. They know no matter how bad things seem, they will get better. They have a testimony that is powerful and frightening. They tell a story that we want to avoid or we want to cling to in hopes that our situations will lead to a better day. So, if you are sliding down the black hole….know you are about to get with some power. You life is about to change and if you are willing to do the work…you may find yourself in an incredible sea of opportunity.

I was just finishing a Bible Study with “In Touch” this week that talked about “Working out your Salvation.” Not “earning” it. Jesus already did that part for us. This spoke to how “your salvation should become an expression of Jesus’s life wherever you are. As you work it out among your friends and family, on the job, in school and even with strangers, God’s Spirit will energize you to make a difference and impact others…in other words, to be salt and light (Matthew 5: 13-16).”

All the people I’ve been interviewing are salt and light. They feed people (bringing flavor and zest) and illuminate a path to a better day. They do it not only because they’ve been hungry (void of taste and pleasure) and lost in confusion and pain, but because they found that passion of who they are and how empowered they are to make the world a better place. With that has come confidence, happiness, contentment and love.

We all have struggles in life…some more painful than others. But that pain brings us wisdom, opens our eyes to see what’s truly important in life and knowing to never take things for granted. I pray that if you are going through a tough time right now and find yourself on your knees…remember to look up….to rise up.

Salvation isn’t the end…it’s the journey…and with each step you get a little stronger…and stronger…and with Him you are unbreakable. Have a blessed day and remember to Kari the Light.