Overcoming Adversity
September 23, 2026 – 3:45 amIf I don’t fully trust FATHER in disappointment, HE cannot trust me in fulfilled dreams!
We all suffer disappointment, loss, criticism, and betrayal at some point in our lives. If we don’t trust in the negative, then we won’t be trustworthy in the positive.
FATHER is testing us to see what weight of Glory can we live under without it crushing us. A Loving FATHER does not what to see HIS children crushed!
HIS desire is to fill the earth with HIS Glory and it is meant to be done through us.
Genesis 1:28 says:
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion…”
This is God’s first recorded blessing and commission to humanity. It explains humanity’s relationship to family, creation, work and authority.
“God blessed them” means the command begins with God’s favor and empowerment. Adam and Eve were not expected to fulfill their calling through human strength alone; God first gave them the capacity to accomplish what He commanded.
“Be fruitful” means more than biological reproduction. In its immediate context, it includes producing children, but it also expresses God’s intention that human life become productive—bringing forth good results that reflect His nature and purposes.
“Multiply” directs humanity to increase and form families, communities and ultimately nations. Human beings were to extend God’s Image throughout the earth.
“Subdue it” means to bring the earth’s untapped potential into productive order. Humanity was to cultivate land, develop resources, build communities and overcome disorder. It does not authorize careless exploitation. Adam was later placed in the garden “to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15), combining development with protection.
“Have dominion” means humanity was appointed as God’s representative authority over animal life and the created environment. Dominion is delegated stewardship, not absolute ownership. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD’S.” Therefore, people govern something that still belongs to God and must eventually answer to Him for its care.
The verse establishes five foundational purposes:
- Receive God’s blessing.
- Produce life and good fruit.
- Build families and communities.
- cultivate and responsibly develop creation.
- Exercise authority under God’s authority.
Sin distorted this commission. Dominion became exploitation, work became painful, relationships became divided and creation suffered. Christ begins restoring humanity to right relationship with God, enabling believers to exercise authority through service rather than domination.
Jesus described Godly authority this way: “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:27).
In summary, Genesis 1:28 is humanity’s original commission to receive God’s blessing, extend life, cultivate the earth and govern creation faithfully as His representatives. Dominion without stewardship becomes abuse; stewardship under God turns authority into service.
My personal growth is determined by what HE can trust me with.
When disappointment comes, what do I do, where do I turn? It’s the point where I turn and I strengthen myself in THE LORD. It is where I learn how to make up for what I didn’t get in the situation that produced the disappointment.
David’s solution to discouragement or disappointment is Psalm 42:
5 So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for You are my saving grace!
The psalmist does three things:
- He confronts his own discouraged soul: “Why are you depressed?”
- He redirects his expectation: “Hope in God.”
- He chooses praise before circumstances change: “I shall yet praise Him.”
The solution was not denying the disappointment. He honestly acknowledged his tears, isolation and inner turmoil. But he refused to let his emotions have the final word. His spirit spoke God’s Truth to his troubled mind.
The same declaration appears again in Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5, creating a repeated pattern:
Discouragement → self-examination → hope in God → praise → restored confidence.
David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 37:
4 Find your delight and true pleasure in YAHWEH, and he will give you what you desire the most.
5 Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust Him along the way, you’ll find He pulled it off perfectly!
6 He will appear as your righteousness, as sure as the dawning of a new day. He will manifest as your justice, as sure and strong as the noonday sun.
7 Quiet your heart in His Presence and wait patiently for YAHWEH. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked, in their prosperity, are better off than you.
So the solution to disappointment is: stop placing ultimate hope in the expected outcome, place hope in God Himself, and continue praising Him while waiting.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.