Much of life is live “in spite of” or “because of.”
For example:
– Some people have faith in spite of experiencing deep loss. Others have faith because of some enormous blessings.
– Some people have deep relationships with others in spite of bad encounters. Others have strong relationships because of some great connections.
– Some people become great leaders in spite of their lack of support. Others become great leaders because of a strong support network.
– Some ministries have a great impact in spite of poor organization. Other ministries make a difference because of a strong structure.
– Some Churches grow in spite of poorly put together worship programs. Other Churches grow because of an exciting worship experience.
The list could go on and on.
This realization has led me to two conclusions;
One – God can and will do anything He wants despite our best efforts to mess things up.
Two – Life is not so much about what happens to us and to how we react to what happens to us.
Sometimes in life our list of reasons we could give up are longer than our list of reasons to hang on. Our problems are often not just the circumstances going on around us, but the faith within us to do the right thing in spite of those circumstances. And yet, if we hang on and react in the way that God would have us to act then I believe He steps in and makes the best of our lives, ministries and Churches.
Almost every week I have to tie a knot in one of my ropes and hang on until God shows up and my “in spite of” turns into a “because of.”
Second Chance Pastor 
I have numerous “in spite of also” and I REALLY needed to hear that today. I have been struggling with the “feelings” I have when people hurt me.
People attack me personally and make me feel inadequate, inferior, worthless…..etc.
I choose to keep loving them outwardly with a smile on my face when I inwardly am dying of a broken heart.
I respect other comments and manipulative ways, even though I do not agree with the way they make me feel or with what GODs word tells me is true. I do not speak my mind because once things are said they cannot be taken back or people will twist them into something you really didn’t say. Also because in their hearts they feel they are right and saying anything would only make matters worse.
I sometimes wonder if God is trying to tell me “I am all you need” when what I feel is I need for fleshly love and acceptance and until I understand that no mater how broken my heart and until I understand that “He is all I need” that I will never experience the fleshly love and acceptance my heart desires and long for.
So I will cry in the dark and wait for GODs timing instead of mine to bring people into my life that can feel the brokenness I feel inside. I will continue to “Be still and to know that he is God”
Debbie –
Thanks for sharing your personal pain and struggle. I pray that God will turn all of your difficult “in spite of” moments into “because of” opportunities. I pray for His blessings upon your life and relationships. He is truly all you need.