ADVERSITY

Adversity comes when we least expect it. Hours before, our lives seemed to be a sea of tranquility, now it resembles a horrific hurricane or tornado. Out of nowhere we are faced with circumstances we never dreamed would come our way. Our calm emotions are turned upside down as waves of emotional unrest sweeps through our mind as the raging winds tear at our heart. Without any warning our lives can be turned upside down in a split second. Had we known adversity was coming, we would have braced ourselves for the storm.

Adversity rarely announces its arrival. Instead, it attacks with fury through trials, heartaches or emotional setbacks. Adversity delivers the untimely news of a loved one’s death, a terminal disease, the loss of a job, satanic attacks against us from those that we believed were our friends, or the crushing reality of a spouse’s betrayal. None of us know how or when adversity will strike. All we can know for certainty is that one-day it will come and pay us a visit. The question becomes not when will adversity strike, but how will we handle its gripping reality?

Unexpected crises are a part of life. There will be times when there is nothing we can do to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle. It is gut wrenching to have to stand by and watch a loved one slowly die from cancer. The doctor’s have done all they can do. We have prayed for God‘s healing and yet the time comes when we have to accept the fact that our loved one is not going to live. We can choose to be bitter or we can put our faith in God knowing that His plans are far superior to ours. He will give us the strength and peace to get through any storm that comes our way.

Overcoming trials can produce the character God wants. God is more interested in our spiritual growth than a lifetime of comfort and pleasure. James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) NIV How we handle adversity makes all the difference between success and failure in our lives.

Being a Christian does not make us immune to life’s trials and tribulations.  Adversity builds character and teaches us to have compassion for others. God also uses adversity to humble us. We either learn to depend on God by faith during our trials or depend upon ourselves and become emotional wrecks. God expects us to do our part. He wants each of us to use and develop the mind and ability He has given us and that requires first hand experience. We need to work like the solution depends on us while relying on God to direct our paths. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) NIV This provides the added security and powerful backing only our Creator can provide. We have either just come out of a storm, we are in a storm right now, or we are headed for one. We can be over comers through our adversities. Apostle Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) NIV