Comments on: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

By: Joan H. Beech

Joan H. Beech — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:42:03 +0000

Thanks, Elmer, for your wonderful spiritual insight into turning, what we think are afflictions, into opportunities and “gifts of grace.” I can identify! I have been whining over the last 2 years of my life, because I lost my husband to death. He was my soul-mate, my beloved, my colleague, and my best friend. He warned me that this would be the “most horrible” thing he would send me through, and he was right. I miss him so much. I have been in horrible pain, both physical and emotional. I have been so lost and devastated without him. And yet in the midst of it, he is here. He is standing beside me, just like God was standing beside you, “whispering”. My pain is being turned into joy! In my devastation, I am being found. I am starting to write my spiritual memoir book, “Epilogue.” You are truly an inspiration! What a website and following you have. You have been listening to the whisper that is there for all of us, if we will only listen with our hearts! Thank you.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:26:32 +0000

I have battled bulemia, anorexia, alcoholism and deep depression. So many time I’ve said “God I can’t take anymore!” Sometimes more came- but with a strength that could have only from God I trudged on. Now I look back at those days of hardship and sorrow as such a blessing! I could not be the person I am now if I had not experienced what I experienced. I could not have helped the people I’ve helped if I had not been through these things. I would not have the appreciation for the wonders of life that surround me, if I had not been blinded so by my own misery at times that they were lost to me. God IS there. We WILL not have to face more than we handle if we ask for his help. There is a reason for what happens in our lives, and it’s up to us-with Gods help to find the blessings within. With God there is and always will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

By: Ellen Skidmore

Ellen Skidmore — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:57:35 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful testimony. We do serve an awesome God.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:42:27 +0000

Jesus never said that we would not have trials and tribulations in fact he said we would. He says to be of good cheer I (he, Jesus) have overcome the world. It’s our faith that overcomes the world.

It a good thing to try and see the good that can come out of a bad situation but it’s not always apparent right away. Sometimes it hard to keep on going and have faith especially in difficult long term situations.

Thank you for these words of encouragement!

By: wendy

wendy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:17:24 +0000

A much needed reminder, and at precisely the right time. Thank you for this!

By: ELEANOR SMITH

ELEANOR SMITH — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:48:48 +0000

I so needed this word today. I am going thru trials and tribulations. I know that trials come to make us strong. I can see the good that is coming out of this. Thank you JESUS for confirmation.

By: Laura Smyser

Laura Smyser — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:12:29 +0000

that doesn’t even make sense. He got a wonderful opportunity then God took it away. What purpose did that serve?

I have worked my ENTIRE life. Went back to college and graduated at the age of 48 with my Bachelors Degree with honors while working full time. My blessing from God? My job was moved out of state in Feb. 2 months before I graduated. I was smart enough to save money and I mow lawns, pet sit and do odd jobs for extra money and to stay busy. But I couldn’t afford $330 for Cobra so I have no health coverage. Luckily I don’t need it right now. But…I could live with that.

Then 3 weeks ago, just 4 days before my birthday, my sweet baby Yorkie girl Allie died on the way home from Michigan on my vacation. Was she old? No, she was 5 years old and I have no idea what was wrong with her because WE WERE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. So God put me in a position where I was totally helpless to try to save my dog that I loved so much. He put me in a position of guilt wondering day after day if I could have done something to help her. I am not married and have no kids. My dogs are my family. He took away the one living thing that gave me solace especially during this difficult time of not having a job. How is that a blessing?

I don’t need anyone’s sympathy-this is just an example of how unfair God can be.

I am not a saint, I am honest, hardworking, help others and try to be a blessing. I was already down with losing my job then God gave me another kick by letting my sweet dog Allie die. Sorry, but I don’t see the blessing IN THAT.

By: nancy

nancy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:18:50 +0000

What a great and inspiring article. God never lets me down! There is a lesson to be learned, or a tribulation to go through to get to the other side where there is wisdom, strength, and faith…

By: angel

angel — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:12:04 +0000

This testimony has encouraged me, also

i can totally relate to it…

we are right now going through an obstacle in our path..God seemed to have opened one door but that door was suddenly closed by my husband…..now i wait for another door to open..i felt that this was the answer to our prayers..we had been praying for many, many months for a full time job for hubby—-but hubby didnt accept this fulltime job offer….(he just said it was the wrong offer) why did God show him this opportunity if it was not to be taken??? (we know that God knows everything that will happen-before it happens…so why was it presented??) Is this God’s way of teaching hubby or myself something or was hubby wrong to pass this job offer up??

Its hard for me to not be mad at him..but, I know I have to forgive him…

Now according to the scriptures, I can only think that something good will come out of this??? Am I looking at it the right way?

Help me understand???

I know that God is always with me….He has lovingly, patiently guided me through a stage 3 cancer illness, a couple of yrs ago….I TRUSTED HIM COMPLETELY in that ordeal….I never blinked…I knew HE was there for ME! My faith never wavered..

Why is this job situation so much harder for me to deal with, when I know that all things work for the good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose?? I TRUST THAT GOD is here for ME…but why am I allowing doubt and frustration to enter my mind??? I keep doubting if my husband is a devoted Christian as he professes to be…I wonder if this is why we are facing all of the trials?? I know I am not supposed to judge anyone, least i be judged too..
My family and his family are telling me that he was stupid and wrong, not to take this job….It seems that they are passing judgment on him, too…

How does anyone else see this??

By: Christina Xavier

Christina Xavier — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:11:49 +0000

I just wanted to say thank you for your encouraging Testimony on banking on having Faith in God.
I recently asked God to help me in my finances and just when I thought I would be unable to make ends meet, he has shown his faithfulness and his on time response. I am always left in awe at his timely fashion and quickness of diligently answering every prayer. I grow more and more in love with him each time he blesses me and shows me he’s listening to my prayers. My Pastor just recently touched the subject on Faith and he said that Faith Trusts & Faith Believes! I have vowed to live each day saying that until I am utterly inaccordance with that. I have found myself to dougt at times and worry, which display a lack in faith. I do not want my master to think or feel that I don’t have Faith in him so I’m stepping out in faith and taking the limits off!!
Thank you for blessing me with such a powerful new way of thinking and enjoying the word of God. I love the way God teaches us new things on something we know a little about.