Dipping your toes in the pond of adversity…
“And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”
– Acts 16:22-24 (KJV)
More magnificent than you could imagine… “…God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited.” – Isaiah 45:18 (NKJV)
Aim high. Aim to grow. “…Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” – Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
Don’t make it worse. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.” – Psalm 139:7-8 NASB
The lesson is too obvious to miss. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
That’s what they had been praying for! “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” – Luke 5:24 NKJV
It takes careful work. “…The hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” – 1 Peter 3:4