Throughout my time here in Haiti I have found over and over that spiritual warfare, one is very real and present in this world and two it manifests itself completely differently here in Haiti. Being a missionary here full time means that I am on the frontlines of the spiritual battlefield each day. In 2013 many exciting, new, and god-centered changes are coming to Mission of Hope in general and Church Advancement (my department) specifically. I have always known that the changes would not come without opposition or adversity. Satan is definitely and will definitely continue to do everything in his power to stop the spread of the gospel throughout Haiti and the world.
Recently while reading my devotional, called “Jesus Calling,” I have noticed that there has been an overwhelming theme of adversity and depending on the Lord through it all without worrying. There will always be problems or adversity that will entice us to worry because we live in a fallen world. But as it states in Jesus Calling, “The best defense is continual communication with the Lord, richly seasoned with thanksgiving.” If we communicate with the Lord continually He fills us with light and peace, this leaves absolutely no room for worry. I did not fully understand being thankful in the midst of the adversity. The book mentioned it is because it seems so contrary to our world-view. However, a few days later I read this entry:
“ Continue on this path with Me (God), enjoying my presence even in adversity. I am always before you, as well as alongside you. See Me beckoning to you: Come! Follow Me. The One who goes ahead of you, opening up the way, is the same One who stays close and never lets go of your hand. I am not subject to limitations of time or space. I am everywhere at every time, ceaselessly working on your behalf. That is why your best efforts are trusting Me and living close to Me.”
I was quickly reminded that in the midst of adversity, struggles, and worry, the best thing to do is lean into the Lord and fully trust Him because He is always with me. This got me thinking again about being thankful for adversity, which brought me to James 1:2-4. It says, “ Count it all joy my brothers when you face trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” I finally started to realize that adversity is something to be thankful for because it tests me and allows me to grow my faith in the Lord and build a stronger relationship with him if I respond appropriately and trust Him. If everything goes great all the time I know that I would begin to trust in my own ability and think I can handle things all on my own. I was not made for that, I was made to fully depend and rely on the Lord and adversity allows me to do that. I am slowly starting to feel the adversity of the world and Satan, but I know it will get worse the more the gospel is spread throughout this world. I know it will be hard, but we were never promised that this life would be easy, in fact in John 16:33 it says, “ I have aside these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart: I have overcome the world.” Even though it will be hard I am also excited to go through it all with the Lord so he can strengthen me, grow my faith, force me to depend on him, and find my joy and peace in Him alone not my circumstances. And there is definitely comfort in the truth in that verse that Jesus has overcome the world already. I can trust in the fact that God already has the victory and nothing Satan does can ever change that.
Thank you so much for reading! If this blog inspired you at all or you would like to support what I am doing for the kingdom at Mission of Hope I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider supporting me financially and through prayer. Without your prayer and financial support nothing that is happening down here would be possible at all!
