chosen.

Backdrop: I know you remember the story of Job and how he faced so much adversity in his life. Job was a loving, devoted father and husband. He had servants and thousands of livestock, which signifies great wealth. He was known as one of "the greatest of all the people of the east" (Job 1:3). But although he walked upright before God, he lost everything. This is how it all started...

Job 1:7-12 'The Lord said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it. And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."

I believe this conversation is vitally important and reveals God's divine providence. In this dialogue, God chooses, affirms, and protects Job before anything even happens to him. Think about your life and the challenges you're faced with right now. How would it feel to know that God had a conversation with the enemy on your behalf before anything happened?

Knowing that the God of the universe, the only One that can fix and change things, have set parameters on the enemy gives me so much security. His judgment of the situation ahead is always accurate. It makes me think of a small child crossing the street with their parents, too young to understand the importance of looking both ways before crossing. They hold on to their parent's hands and trust their judgment. In the same way, as we walk through life, we must hold on to God's hand and trust His leading. We must trust that He won't lead us into danger.

Looking at all that Job experienced, we learn that some adversity can result from being chosen by God. And being selected by God comes with extra benefits..affirmation and protection. So, no matter what we face, we must approach adversity as an opportunity to showcase our faith in God.

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"Our adversities also produce a testimony that at some point in time will encourage others. We have to envision being on the other side of things and command our flesh to praise God in the process! "

-Member, Lansing, MI

"In my volatile thinking, I sometimes believe I have “just” reasons to complain about what happens to me. But the truth is, God is in control of my life and because He loves me, I know I will make it through adversity just fine!"

-Member, Houston, TX

"How am I going to respond to the hand that was dealt to me? What am I going to do on purpose? Will I make choices that take me toward God or away from God? Truth is, sometimes I have made good choices and other times not so-good choices. But, one thing remained the same, God was always right there. I can always depend on Him.

-Member, Beaumont, TX

"Even in the midst of trials and tribulations, God is there. "

-Member, Canton, MI

"Even when I am going through troubled times, God said He would never leave me or forsake me. This truth gives me the hope to hold on and remember we win no matter what is going on in my life!"

-Member, Martin, TN

"Tough circumstances should not alter our faith they actually cause us to put it in action and reveal just how much we can trust God and find stability in Him despite our situation. "

-Member, Baltimore, MD

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Knowing God is there with you, how will you respond to adversity?

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