Adversity Is Common to the Christian Life

On the shores of the Baltic Sea, after a great storm has passed, the fishermen go down into the water and rake the beach for the precious ambergris which has been cast up on the shores by the tumult of the waves. Life's storms have their treasures that they bring with them, and we are wise fishermen if we go out after the great billows have been raging and gather up the heavenly ambergris with which they have strewn the shores of our life.

Who knows but this is the real treasure that we are intended to glean in life, instead of those lesser things whose destruction we so lament but the possession of which brings us no abiding joy.

Some people live with the false belief that when you are a Christian you have smooth sailing or problem free living. But the Bible teaches that adversity is common to the Christian life. I'd like to share some principles to help deal with the troubles when they come.

Principle #1 - Adversity is often just around the corner after success. Listen… “Be careful as you travel your way in life.” When you are successful… lest you forget who brought you out of difficult times because temptation and adversity may be lurking around the corner.

Principle #2 - To persevere along that good ol’ way of faith all of us have to learn how to deal with adversity. C.S. Lewis in his little book, The Screwtape Letters, has Wormwood, saying, “Discouragement is my most valuable weapon. I can wedge an opening with discouragement that will let me insert in someone’s life any other tool.”

Principle #3 In the midst of adversity be honest about your feelings. “Do you have a trusted friend in whom you can confide? Do you have someone in who you could call at 2:00 AM in the morning and know that that person would be willing to listen to you?”

Principle #4 - In the midst of adversity, let God restore you before you make a major decision when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired! Have you ever made a major decision when you were hungry, angry, lonely or tired? If ever try to make a major decision when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired, you probably will live to regret it.

Principle #5 - In the midst of adversity we lose touch with reality and our perspective becomes distorted. Be careful– because in the midst of adversity you may think you are the only one who’s trying to keep things together. But there are others!

Finally, Principle #6 - In the midst of adversity listen for the still small voice of God. Sometimes in the midst of adversity we want God to make a dramatic sign to speak to us so that we know God’s will … God’s will is revealed to us most often however in the still, small voice of God!

So, keep on keeping on when the way seems hard and the road seems narrow. Adversity is a part of life and faith. I know this is difficult to hear but don’t you see…when we hang in there, when we persevere, we become a stronger, more beautiful witness for Jesus Christ!

Scripture: Hebrews 13:13; Judges 10:14; 1 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 22:7; Psalms 18:6; Psalms 37:39; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Isaiah 30:30; Jeremiah 15:11; Zephaniah 1:15.

Prayer:

Father, You grow and stretch our maturity through circumstances that don’t always reflect our choosing. It helps us to gain needed perspective and experience in situations not of our own choosing, but to our overall benefit. Help us to be patient as we search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in our lives. Align our desires with Your own as we submit our will to Yours. May we not be overcome by adversity but ask You, Father, to use adversity as a tool by which You carve Your image and character deep into our hearts. We may make our plans but we realize that, as Your children, You will have the final say. Amen.

Bless you,

Tory