by Tim Jones - God’s Great Outdoors
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
We were on a freelance duck hunt in North Dakota in late October. During this time of year in North Dakota, you can have 70 degree weather one day and blizzard conditions the next. This is exactly what happened on this hunt. The forecast was calling for heavy snowfall with high winds and white-out conditions. When we got up that morning, we already had blizzard weather. The snow was blowing sideways and visibility was about 50 feet.
We were determined to get out and hunt because who knew, maybe the storm had pushed a new batch of birds into the area. When we got to the slough we intended to hunt, we decided to hunt in pairs. Two would stay in the truck while the other two hunted and then switch out after a short time. It was so cold and windy that you could only stay out in the swamp for about an hour at the most. We had no idea what we were going to experience that day. Ducks were everywhere and seemed like every duck in the county was trying to get out of the wind right where we had set up. They just hung in the wind trying to set down in our spread. This was one of my most memorable hunts of all time. We had great success but that success did not come without some adversity and suffering.
In our life as Christians, the Bible tells us that we will face adversity, trials, and tribulation. James 1:2-3 tells us “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” It is so comforting to know that while we are going through the trials and tribulations, we are not alone. Psalms 34:19 states “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Jesus himself overcame the ultimate adversity, trials, and tribulation by going to the cross, being crucified, being buried, and then being raised from the dead and returning to his Father in heaven. Victory belongs to the Lord!
Adversity is a part of life, but with faith and perseverance, we can overcome challenges and grow stronger in our walk with the Lord and find strength, courage, and hope in God’s promises during life’s toughest challenges.
Help achieve the mission - GIVE today
Click the button to sign up for Dean’s Daily Devotional. FREE and delivered daily.