“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

 
We know that the world is going to bring difficulties our way.  They come in various forms, in differing sizes, and with levels of intensity that can range from mild irritation to curl up under the covers and hide from the world.  No matter what we face, the consistency of the strength of God in our lives sees us through – enabling us to rely upon something far greater than any trouble we face.

 
As I look over the status of my life today, I see the troubles that exist in various forms.  No doubt you could also see issues and challenges that Satan throws out in an attempt to knock you off your destiny course.  But as God has called us to do –we keep our eyes fixed upon the promises that He has made to us, knowing that His plan is perfect and our obedience will produce deliverance and blessings in abundance.

 
I am thankful to God for the blessings and the challenges that I have been given to face.  The blessings are easy to be thankful for, the challenges are sometimes harder to appreciate, but we’ve learned that they give us the opportunity to grow and to further rely upon God for everything in our lives.  So as I mentioned earlier, my meditations on my life today have allowed me to see the good things that God has given me – success at work and in my writing, good friends, a loving family, goals for the future.  I also look at the challenges and when I put both of those concepts together I clearly see the greatness of God surrounding me, molding me into the man I am supposed to be. 

 
I speak of myself, but I know this to be true of you as well.  No matter what items you use to fill the lists of blessings and challenges, God is there – leading, protecting, encouraging, and loving you in ways that will see you through and grow you into each day, leaving you more anointed, more amazing than the one you had been before.  That is His will and my prayer for you.