Blog

When bad situations turn to victory.
Saturday, January 27, 2024 by Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

“This is the new me this year,” my friend said. “Healthy eating and I’m even joining the gym.”

I cheered her on.

And I found a great thing,” she added. “After I juice, I use the pulp to sprinkle on my salads…it’s actually delicious!”

Most discard the pulp, but not her. Instead, she put it to good use. God did the very same with me. When blindness struck at the age of 31, I thought my life was over. I thought I’d be relegated to stay inside my four walls, empty of achievements. And like useless pulp, ready to be dumped in the garbage disposal of life.

Did you ever have moments like that?

Life didn’t turn out like you thought, plans fell apart, and bad times turned your joy to soggy pulp. You were too weak to fight and to down to look up.

At one time or another, we all have experienced this. But when God is in the midst, He uses what little we may have, what flaws we display, what ugliness comes in, or how low we feel. He crafts something deliciously beautiful. That’s because no matter how we try to overcome our own battles and rise above our weaknesses, God is about to turn them into strengths. He uses our weaknesses to make great things. He molds sad circumstances to success. And He turns our losses into gain.

He did that with me. I had asked God to remove my blindness. He didn’t. Instead, He turned my physical blindness into 20/20 spiritual vision.

Paul’s Challenges

In a different way, Paul also encountered adversity, painful and unpleasant, He confessed:

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 8-10).

Paul delighted in His weaknesses…and God turned them to strength. He endured hardships…God pulled him through. He faced insults and unfairness…God brought about the victory. He was persecuted… God ushered him to freedom.

Where are you in this new year? Facing hard times? Drained by unexpected setbacks? God’s strength is being perfected in your weakness and inside your walls of tough times.

His strength might not be revealed by correcting the situation, but by changing your perspective to see His hand that removes anxiety, erases fear, and calms stressful moments. He’s at work so you can trust. He’s active so you can relax. And He’s crafting the solution that will strengthen your faith.

Let’s Pray

Father, the situation I face has drained my strength and my tears washed away the joy. But I will cling to Your promise that Your power is being made perfect in my every weakness. I shall trust You with every detail, and at every turn, I shall proclaim Your victory. In Jesus’ name.

What strength can you count on today?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award.

Your copy waits for you HERE.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE. You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

 

Share This Blog:


Previous Posts

What to do when our world shakes.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/11/2024

He’ll calm your storm.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/9/2024

No eyesight, no limbs, but enjoying the fullness of life.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/27/2024

What to do when feeling trapped.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/13/2024

The sure way to find direction in life.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/30/2024

What to do while we wait for the answer.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/16/2024

Five reasons why you must never be discouraged.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/2/2024

How the 4th of July reminds us that we can have freedom from worry.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/19/2024

Is this what you're missing?
Janet Perez Eckles

6/21/2024

When my problems are too deep.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/7/2024

What does God say about immigration?
Janet Perez Eckles

6/2/2024

When will God heal me?
Janet Perez Eckles

5/24/2024

Your secret to become the best mom.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/10/2024

A free event to empower you.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/24/2024

How to prepare for the end times.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/12/2024

How do I know I'll go to heaven?
Janet Perez Eckles

3/22/2024

Six choices that make you a victor.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/8/2024

A surprise is tucked inside.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/27/2024

How long before the heartache stops?
Janet Perez Eckles

2/23/2024

Does God see my loneliness?
Janet Perez Eckles

2/9/2024

When bad situations turn to victory.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/27/2024

5 ways you can have a victorious new year.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/5/2024

Good news in the midst of fear and loneliness.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/22/2023

What to do when facing a war.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/8/2023

The secret to a real celebration of Christ.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/6/2023

A Message of Appreciation
Janet Perez Eckles

11/24/2023

What is the purpose for my life?
Janet Perez Eckles

11/10/2023

Happy birthday to...me!
Janet Perez Eckles

10/27/2023

Three lies that can rob your security.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/13/2023

This is how you overcome stress, sadness, and worry.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/29/2023

Avoid pitfalls and pain with these three steps.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/15/2023

What kind of prayers does God really answer?
Janet Perez Eckles

9/1/2023

How to calm your emotional turmoil.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/18/2023

Five promises to live free from fear.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/4/2023

This is the way to a rich life.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/21/2023

Saying goodbye.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/4/2023

It's a hot summer, but timely inspiration is so cool!
Janet Perez Eckles

7/3/2023

Is that blind woman dancing?
Janet Perez Eckles

7/2/2023

Free...For You!
Janet Perez Eckles

7/1/2023

No eyesight, no limbs, but enjoying the fullness of life.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/30/2023

The best way to celebrate our Father...our Heavenly Father.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/16/2023

Your joy is closer than you think.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/9/2023

Five reasons why loneliness cannot enter your heart.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/26/2023

Five weapons for mothers to overcome stress.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/12/2023

Three steps to contentment during chaos.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/5/2023

This is what you need to remove to have a happier and peaceful life.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/21/2023

Because the tomb is empty, your loneliness, fear, and anxiety can end.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/7/2023

Your pet might be speaking the love that no human can.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/31/2023

3 ways to know if God will find you strong and committed or find you lukewarm instead.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/17/2023

Three questions to determine how prepared you are to face life's troubles.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/3/2023

Three ways to prepare for the end times.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/17/2023

Overcoming Loneliness on Valentine's Day
Janet Perez Eckles

2/14/2023

Something just for you.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/10/2023

Four decisions to turn anxiety to peace.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/3/2023

God is with us...always!
Janet Perez Eckles

1/27/2023

12 questions to determine the success of your new year.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/20/2023

Five steps to keep depression out.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/6/2023

This is where you find comfort this Christmas.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/23/2022

This is how stress turns to peace this Christmas.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/18/2022

How to end your worry.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/5/2022

Big Announcement ... Read On
Janet Perez Eckles

11/19/2022

How to get rid of loneliness.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/2/2022

How to get rid of anxiety.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/12/2022

Your battle belongs to the Lord.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/29/2022

The only connection you need to feel safe and secure.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/15/2022

10 steps to help you never, never fear
Janent Perez Eckles

4/1/2022

How to overcome this hot summer of loneliness
Janent Perez Eckles

8/21/2020

How to see God’s way out of our troubles
Janent Perez Eckles

7/10/2020

With these four promises, we can dare to expect a brand new, beautiful, tomorrow
Janent Perez Eckles

6/19/2020

When God Meets our Greatest Needs
Janent Perez Eckles

4/24/2020

Trust in the Real Source
Janent Perez Eckles

4/10/2020

6 ways to know God is watching your anxious moments
Janent Perez Eckles

3/7/2020

12 ways to transform your life
Janent Perez Eckles

1/17/2020

Avoid these three traps when facing impossibilities.
Janent Perez Eckles

12/20/2019

Consider these three steps before getting angry.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/8/2019

Three steps to have your prayers answered.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/1/2019

The secret to live a happy life.
Janent Perez Eckles

10/4/2019

Three secrets of a real winner.
Janent Perez Eckles

9/6/2019

So, what’s another disaster?
Janent Perez Eckles

8/2/2019

One thing you need to remove in order to live with confidence.
Janent Perez Eckles

6/7/2019

What to do when life becomes too much.
Janent Perez Eckles

2/22/2019

Five questions to see if you’re a people pleaser.
Janet Perez Eckles

11/23/2018

How to achieve the best of life.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/9/2018

I need encouragement.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/9/2018

6 Steps to Bring Back Peace
Janent Perez Eckles

6/8/2018