It Was Necessary

Rejection
Abandonment
Sickness
Heartache
Death
Depression Isolation
Anger
Low Self Esteem
Betrayal
Disappointment
All forms of adversities

These are just a few things that we may encounter on this journey called life. How many of you know that life isn’t always fair? Around every corner and at every crossroad, there are dangers, disappointments, trouble, betrayal, and even death awaiting those who are traveling on this life journey. Many times, we aren’t prepared when we encounter these things. We are often caught off guard like a bird in a snare or a rabbit in a trap. We’re just going along doing fine and suddenly everything changes. One minute we are enjoying life to the fullest. Then, we are bombarded with a thousand problems the next. Some things in life are inevitable and oftentimes unavoidable. I am sure we’ve all felt the crushing weight of the world on our shoulders at some point. I want to encourage you. These things were not only permissible but they were also necessary. When difficulty arises in our lives, two things may occur. We will either be drawn closer to God or pull away from Him completely. We have a choice! Although the weight may be heavy, we must trust God. We must trust that He is with us and that He won’t put more on us than we can bear. According to Romans 8:28, we have an assurance that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” There is a purpose in your pain. You may have been wounded but you are not defeated. Let me say that again just in case you didn’t hear me the first time. You may have been wounded but you are not defeated. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength. The devil thought you would have given up by now but God knew that your faith would increase. The devil thought you would have lost your mind by now but God said, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” When the devil tries to overwhelm us in difficult times, when He tries to make us feel inadequate, the Bible says “But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak (Isaiah 40:31). For every setback the devil sends our way, God has provided a comeback and it’s found in the Word of God.

As I wrote this, I did a self-evaluation. I began recalling instances where God allowed me to experience tragedy but He turned them into victories. I’m a woman that the enemy has tried to destroy from birth. I was a very sick child and was born without a stomach. I also had epileptic seizures until I was around eight or nine years old. I had a speech impediment and suffered from low self-esteem. I lost my mother at the age of 12 to domestic violence. Later, I married my husband and we desired children. After spending a lot of money on fertility treatments, we finally conceived only to have lost our son. He only lived 5 hours. We decided to try again years later. We spent even more money but that baby, a little girl was stillborn. I wanted to end my life at one point. Yes me! I lived with a family that didn’t accept me. I was rejected. I was betrayed by the person that my mother chose to marry who eventually took her life. Mothers, please be careful of who you allow into your children’s lives. They can affect them positively or negatively.

Through prayer and grace, I learned to forgive my offenders. I realized that my destiny was greater than any adversity that I’d experienced. I realized that the only way to keep my sanity was to cry out to God for strength and to forgive. I had to forgive my stepfather for taking my mother’s life, not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I’m determined to make it in and I can’t allow anyone to hinder me. I began to use every adversity as a stepping stone to get to where God was taking me. I followed Jesus’ example. He was betrayed by Judas, someone that He trusted. Yet, He didn’t become vindictive, bitter, or angry. He did just the opposite. He forgave and He loved. Every obstacle that I’ve experienced was necessary for me to get to where I am today. I can honestly tell you that it hasn’t always been easy. Life isn’t but it is worth it. Today, I am whole. I’m saved, healed, delivered, and redeemed. I am loved, a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend.

Today, I want to leave you with this. Use every opposition, every trial, and every setback as a stepping stone to get to your destiny. Everything that you’ve encountered has a purpose so let it help and not hinder you. Forgive, so that you can live. Always remember that God loves you and has great plans for you. Finally, God will turn around whatever the devil meant to destroy you to bless you. Why you do ask? Because it was necessary.