ADVERSITY

 Hardships come to all at some point in our life, and we must accept them and learn to face them objectively without whining and complaining. It is when we face adversity that we find the great need of a reassurance that only a strong, solid faith in God as our Father, Jesus as our Savior, and the Blessed Spirit as our Comforter can give.

This faith must be acquired before adversity arrives if we are to profit from it. Wise individuals will equip themselves for this day, by obtaining faith through knowledge of God’s word and daily communion with God in prayer.  Solomon said in Prov. 24:5, “A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;” also in Prov. 24:10, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

We can accept adversity and tragedies if we prepare our minds for it by allowing God to have His way in our life. Adversity has its proper place in each of our lives. It humbles us, and helps us feel our utter dependence upon our creator. It also sweetens our lives as we learn how to show sympathy towards others.

Anyone can complain, condemn, and criticize; but it takes character and self-control to be understanding.  Criticism is like a homing pigeon; it usually returns home.

The Lord doesn’t promise His faithful follower an exemption from the hardships and challenges of life, but He does give the strength to endure and overcome such grief and obstacles. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul shares the comforting truth that the Lord will never allow a person to be tempted beyond what that individual can withstand. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

The Lord is always there to help us through our trying times. So whether in sorrow or gladness, it is to Him that we need to constantly turn. “Casting all you care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7) 

The Lord wants us to pray to Him because He loves us.  Tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer.

There are many crushing hardships that effect the people of the world, and each of us needs the strength that God can give through His word to overcome these difficult trials of our faith. Will we lose hope in God when the road grows dim?

Consider the passage in 2 Cor. 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3)

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:5)

Proverbs15:13 says, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Whether in joy or sorrow, may it always be the Lord whom we lean upon for our daily strength and guidance; for He can lighten the heavy load of our grief. His great accomplishment at the cross should gladden the heart of every true believer.

Lowell Kitchen