Anita Ojeda 
When adversity strikes, how do you adjust? We’ve had all kinds of adversity in the past few weeks. I’ve learned that only faith will help me through.
The Case of the Missing Booties
“Why is she holding her hands out like that?” my husband asked as he looked down at our 18-month-old daughter.
“I think she wants you to put those booties back on her hands,” I said with a laugh as Laura insistently shoved her little hands out and made cute grunts.
“But she doesn’t need them anymore,” he exclaimed.
We had tied booties on our daughter’s hands so that she wouldn’t scratch her chickenpox sores and cause scarring. Now, it appeared, she had adjusted to wearing the booties and thought she needed them daily.
When adversity strikes, we often down realize how quickly we can adapt. A week ago, when I read a book, I just read a book. Now, I shudder every time characters get too close to each other. “Where’s your mask?” I chide them in my head.
Watching television almost brings on a case of hives. So. many. people. so. close. to. each. other.
Grocery stores with empty shelves, sheltering in place, job losses, financial doom, so many forms of adversity in such a short time.
Faith in Adversity
We have a choice when faced with diversity. Adjust. We can adjust kicking and screaming, or we can choose to shelter-in-place—the place of refuge that God offers all of us.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Psalms 91:1-2
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
God knows the beginning from the end. He loves us beyond anything we can imagine. When adversity strikes I go to my shelter. I can’t change the fact that our renters can’t pay the rent because the state issued a shelter-in-place order. But I can choose how I react.
We choose to let them continue living there—trusting God that they will remain good stewards of our property. When the knot of financial uncertainty coils in my stomach, I can renounce it in Jesus’ name.
Adversity has knocked at our door many times since we married over 31 years ago. God has proven his faithfulness over and over again. I can adjust to adversity with grace because God will provide.
I’ll have to adjust—we may lose our rental home, we may go bankrupt, we may come out fine. Whatever the case, I have my shelter-in-place order. The governor didn’t issue it—God did.
God has already issued a shelter-in-place order. #adversity #uncertaintimes #fmfparty Click To TweetEverything will be ok, but it will probably be different. Grieve, but don’t stay there. You don’t need that kind of bootie tied on your hands. Instead, reach out to others who have it worse. Share what you know about the heavenly sheltering place.
It’s enough to make some people cry,
what may be yet in store;
many folk are going to die
who’ve never died before.
Perhaps God didn’t see this,
and was way out of the loop;
on realizing what He’d missed,
could it be that God said, “Oops!”?
But I think that this is not the case
(though His mercy is severe),
for I hear a warrior-angel’s grace
whispered in my ear:
“Count thee not thy earthly leaven,
but only that arrayed in Heaven.”
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser recently posted…Your Dying Spouse 742 – It’s OK To Be Scared {Five Minute Friday}
Amen, sister! I love this, “… I have my shelter-in-place order. The governor didn’t issue it—God did.”
What a wonderful reminder of where we’re to stay!
The governor didn’t issue it—God did.<—Truth. We are living in a unique time with lots of adjustments. He is still on the Throne, and His Word is being shared now more than ever! I am thankful to be a part of THAT history. May we continue to share encouragement through our blogs and in real life! Blessings to you and your family. I pray you don't lose your realty investment.
Jennifer
We are living in such unstable, uncertain, and changing days. But the one thing that remains is the One who never changes. May we turn our eyes to Him who is able to undertake in all things. Praying for you and yours.
adjusting is still hard, even with faith, and figuring out how to show grace in the face of foolishness is sometimes a challenge. Faith helps, especially when I remember the grace Christ shows me (when sometimes I am very foolish). visiting from #31 today.
Yes, it is crazy how we DO adjust, even when we think we never will. I wonder how many things we will NOT return to once this is over, things we thought we couldn’t live without.
Amen! Yes, God is ultimately in control…
Bless you,
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…Overwhelmingly, overwhelmed!
He’s! Shelter in God’s place! Love it Anita!
Yes! not He’s.
Love your perspective on shelter here. We often think of it as warm and fuzzy and safe from anything uncomfortable. But as you point out “I can adjust to adversity with grace because God will provide.” Sharing this!