Everyone experiences worries, anxieties, pain, and sorrow while living in this world. There is not a single person who is free from the world’s suffering.

When we find ourselves in difficult situations due to hardship, trials, or illness, the only thing that enables us to endure and overcome with courage and boldness is the precious blood of Jesus on the cross His salvation. Jesus does not give us trials we cannot bear, and when we cannot bear them, He guides us to a way of escape.  Are you obeying Jesus, who is our refuge? Or are you living with suffering because of your own stubbornness and thoughts?

Equipped with God’s Word, we possess the ability to hold fast and use that heavy burden as a steppingstone to rise above our trials for our own sake and for the sake of those beside us. It is only in Jesus that we can be freed from the world’s worries and anxieties and ultimately achieve eternal victory.

This is a classic story and a powerful reminder that when life throws you dirt, struggles, or challenges your way, you don’t have to let them bury you. Instead, you can use those burdens as steppingstones to rise above and have victory in Jesus, through the trial.

A farmer who owned an old mule and it was quite a stubborn old mule. You see every time the farmer plows with mule, he would stop, right in the middle of the row. It would then take the farmera while to get the old mule to move again. The farmer was so frustrated with him; he decided to get rid of him.  So, the farmer out of anger went and dug a hole to bury the old mule in. Then he put the mule in the hole and started throwing dirt in it. However, every time the farmer threw a shovel load of dirt in and it landed on his back of the old mule, and he would shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” each time the dirt would fall on the mule’s back he would shake it off and step up!”

When the farmer thought that he had buried the old mule, he looked at the hole and was well pleased, the hole was filled in, but when the farmer looked up much to his surprise the old mule was standing next to him. What seemed like would bury the old mule blessed him, all because of the manner in which the old mule handled his adversity.

Consider the attitude of the mule a creature from a story toward difficult circumstances. Though it is just a story, it is one that gives us courage. We were created in God’s image, so if we live our lives consumed by trials, worries, anxiety, and depression, we are wasting our precious time.

Our Attitude in adversity

As we face our problems and adversity, in life if we respond to them positively, refusing to give in to panic, or becoming bitter, or fall into self pity.  Then as the adversities come along to bury us. But, they usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us.

These trials will serve as a great lesson, granting us the wisdom to discover word of God and apply it in life through courage and hope. Remember that the power and courage that enable us to “shake ourselves off” and step out of the deep pit we are in.  Through forgiveness, salvation, faith, prayer, praise, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that comes from the cross of Jesus!

Genesis 37:23–And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Unrepented sin, stubbornness, and pride will cause pain in our lives and is often associated with growth. As the famous saying goes, “No pain — no gain.” While we may not have some control over the “pain” part, especially when it’s caused by others, or suffering I bring upon myself, we do most definitely have control over the “gain” part. Sin in our life is far heavier than joy. When we sin we become trapped in misery and folly, losing what is precious, and heading down the wrong path. A path that leads straight to hell.

Most of our learning and growth in life comes from our difficult times not from the good times. Joseph did not have a bitter attitude about his circumstance he made the best of ever situation. And he stepped up to the challenges in his life.

Trials and suffering come to everyone. If we approach the pain with the right attitude, we will gain clarity, knowledge, and wisdom. If worrying could make pain and sorrow vanish, it would certainly be the right thing to do; however, we must quickly realize that worry achieves nothing. It makes neither the pain nor the sorrow disappear but instead inflicts further torment and anguish upon both body and Spirit. If we apply the ord of God to our situation, we will gain the clarity, and direction from God wants us to take.  Adversity is extremely difficult to face, and it requires discernment, but believers will receive clear insight from the Holy Spirit.

If we approach our circumstances the way the world wants John reminds us of what were, a sinner, before we came to Christ.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (We are all sinners therefore we lie).

No matter what the cost, we must not give in to Satan’s temptations or compromise with the world; we must shun temptation under any circumstances. To do this, we need to study and meditate on the Word, allowing it to transform ourselves, our attitudes, and our foolish ways of thinking and keeping our relationship with God..

Psalms 34:1 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.  I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

We must repent and confess our sins before God and all people and change our attitudes. When we do so, we will come to see what path lies ahead as we follow God’s guidance and teaching. This helps us be reconciled with the holy God.

Persevering in the face of adversity means relying on the love and forgiveness God has given us and resolving to stand firm and endure no matter the circumstances. The Scriptures were written to reveal to us what God’s will is for us. We must repent and confess make our attitude change before God, and all people.

Our Persistence in adversity

To have persistence we will be determined to endure and stand firm in our circumstances for our God. These words are written in God’s word for us to know what God’s desire is for us.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

If we endure all things and stand firm God’s word says we can and will obtain God’s gracious salvation if we accept Jesus in our hearts and lives.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

All kinds of circumstances and trials constantly tempt our families, churches, and society. However, those who believe in Jesus and have been saved must persevere and continue to focus on God’s Word with patience. We need to watch that we endure throughout our circumstances and times of afflictions and stay focused on the work of God’s word.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

When we are patient that is, when we obey the Word given by God and Jesus and walk with Him God takes control of our circumstances, helps us, and works alongside us as our faithful partner. As we serve one another with patience, we learn from Him, bring Him joy, and, through our gratitude and trust in one another, achieve victory. As we endure, we are trusting God will work out our circumstances.

Our Achievements in adversity

Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Remember when life starts to shovel dirt on you. These life’s adversities and hardships in all their forms (illness, material want, poverty, loss of reputation, conflict, envy, jealousy, and suffering) tempt, or weigh us down, pour in upon us, and leave us mired in a pit. The courage and strength we need comes from the Bible and the way to escape is to shake it off life’s heavy burdens and overcome them in the name of Jesus. Jesus calls out with the love of the Cross, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden” If we will shake it off and take a step up, we can get out of the deepest pits. But it won’t happen by stopping and giving up. Just shaking it off and taking a step up!

When you go to bed at night you prepare to sleep right, you wash and cleanse yourself.  Why would you not want to shake off the worries of this world too, so you can have perfect rest in God. Pray the Lord’s prayer we have been taught.

The story of the old mule making its way upward, step by step. Remember God will enable you to do it.  When we call upon Jesus’ name, He comes to safely help us, brushes away the dirt (sin) covering us, and wraps us in His love.  Amen!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Amen!