Rising Above Adversity (With Bekah Pardoe)
Yesterday, Bekah and I shared an exciting announcement. Heart to Heart, our new mother-daughter devotional book for teen girls is on sale here! Today, we’re sharing another devotion from the book. This one is from Bekah. Join her as she shares a few insights on rising above adversity.
You’ve Got This! (Rising Above Adversity)
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.
Isaiah 40:31
A few years ago, my mom and I decided to end the year with an adventure. It was New Year’s Eve, and we decided to walk five miles from our house to my grandma and grandpa’s house.
We set out an hour before dark, and the air was damp and cold. Snow covered the farmland surrounding us.
We were less than halfway there when darkness started to fall. It was bitter cold, and we could see our breath in the chilly evening air.
My sore feet rubbed against my shoes causing large, painful blisters. We trudged on, imagining the taste of Grandma’s warm, fresh, homemade chocolate chip cookies. After a lot of time and effort, we finally made it to their house!
The Role of Endurance
In situations like this, endurance is vital. You might not have to endure a five-mile walk today, but you probably need to endure in some area of your life.
Maybe it feels like this school year will never end, and you’re counting down the days until your next break. You might not have a happy life at home, or you might be dealing with a bully.
You might even feel like life is wounding you right now. If that’s the case, remember that the wounds you feel now will one day heal. Don’t give up. Keep walking.
I’ve learned that pressing toward the finish line is important. Sometimes, we feel tempted to give up when life gets hard, but it’s important to try to finish what we start in life. If you started a sport and are becoming tired of it, try to finish the season. If the school year feels like it’s dragging, just keep going. It will eventually end. It may seem rough now, but it will be worth it when you reach the end, whether your reward is a chocolate chip cookie or something even better!
Teen’s Reflection
Which area of your life requires endurance right now? As you reflect on this, consider your ultimate goal. What goal are you pursuing? How does focusing on your goal help you keep pressing forward?
Mom’s Reflection
After encouraging your daughter, write about a time when endurance paid off for you. What has God taught you about pressing through adversity?
7 Bible Verses on Rising Above Adversity
The following Bible verses are not from our book, but we’re sharing them today as a source of hope as you endure the difficulties you are facing. May God’s Word bring you comfort as you continue to rise above the challenges you are facing.
1. 1 Peter 4:14
This verse reads: “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
When the trials and tribulations of life don’t relent, the glory of God rests on you.
Has the adversity of life worn you thin?
Take heart. Beauty rises from ashes. And where God creates beauty, his glory is made known.
2. 1 Peter 4:13
First Peter 4:13 offers this reminder: “But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
Adversity holds the power to magnify the goodness of God through you. Keep going. Keep your heart soft. Fight offense. Your story isn’t finished yet. (For more inspiration to keep going, join me here.)
Additionally, when you face adversity, you share in fellowship with Christ.
3. Hebrews 4:15
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.”
We don’t need to understand this for it to be true. Jesus understands every struggle, weakness, and temptation we will ever face.
He gets it. We can allow adversity to harden our hearts, or we can use it as a prompt to draw near to the One who really does understand.
4. Psalm 34:18
This verse reads, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
In times of trouble and heartbreak, God is close to you.
You might not feel like God is close when you are hurting, but this doesn’t change the promise that he is close to the brokenhearted. God is near. He loves you deeply and wants to comfort you with his love.
You might not feel like God is close when you are hurting, but this doesn’t change the promise that he is close to the brokenhearted. God is near. #GodsLove #faith Share on X5. Psalm 5:12
Psalm 5:12 reads, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
Even in times of trouble, God surrounds you like a shield.
No matter what happens in the world around you, if you humble yourself before God and lean on him by faith, he will surround you with favor as with a shield. He wants to help you rise above adversity of all kinds.
Nothing will reach you that has not first passed through God’s protective wings. You can trust that when God permits trouble in your life, he doesn’t enjoy it. Troubles come because we live in a fallen world where human beings have free will.
Life is difficult, and an enemy prowls around looking for people to destroy. Nevertheless, when God permits trouble in your life, you can trust that he intends to use it for your good and his glory.
6. John 16:33
Jesus spoke these words, “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.”
Jesus directly told us that life would be hard at times.
Because Jesus said it, we can expect it.
But let’s not get stuck here.
We don’t have to live in fear during troubled times. Jesus promises peace. There will be adversity, but let’s not lose heart because Jesus has overcome the world.
7. Romans 8:38-39
This verse reads, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When life is difficult, do you ever wonder if God still loves you? When you begin to doubt God’s love for you, stand on the promise from Romans 8:38-39. Remember this truth can help you rise above adversity and press forward.
When you begin to doubt God’s love for you, stand on the promise from Romans 8:38-39. Remember this truth can help you rise above adversity and press forward. #adversity Share on XNothing can ever take God’s love away from you.
Furthermore, when we study Scripture, we often see that trouble is a sign of God’s presence, not his absence.
Books About Rising Above Adversity (for Pre-Teen Girls and Teenage Girls)
Thanks for reading today! We hope you feel inspired as you continue rising above adversity and pressing forward. We invite you to check out all of our books right here if you enjoyed your time with us! 
