Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I suppose one of the hardest questions to answer is: “Why do I have to deal with so much adversity?!”
Quite honestly, one of the best answers I’ve ever come across was written by C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity. Lewis likened God’s use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end: forward motion. But the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite of the direction that he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention, but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog’s will. It is in this way that God uses adversity!
We really don’t like being pulled and corrected by the Lord — but when we understand there’s a greater purpose involved, then we can pass through adversity with hope, expectation and steadfastness knowing these events are for our greater good!
Let’s learn from the trials and tribulations we go through because God has a purpose in them. We may not enjoy it, but when all’s said and done, enduring trials faithfully will produce perseverance, character, and hope. And hope will not disappoint us for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…[Romans 5:4-5] We truly can trust in the God who loves us with an everlasting love because He knows the direction we need to go, AND He knows exactly how to get us there!
Thank you, things like this have got me through a seriously soul smashing period of my life. I had grown so depressed and was so confused as to God’s purpose for this but it has been a blessing in the end. That it took 4 years and losing my whole family, some passed away, the rest alienated from me due to life’s craziness, people’s greed and paranoia there may never be reconciliation but I have been drawn to the cross and for me, I am so blessed to just be alive. This isn’t explaining much but I’ve never been closer to our Lord through this horrible experience and that is all I’ve ever wanted anyway! God Bless you all.
I’ve found adversity comes to me in two forms – Satan seeking to discourage and the Lord seeking to lead. Even as I write this both cars are broken down and my laptop’s on the way out to pasture… not convenient for a pastor and someone that also has a cyberministry; this would crush me in discouragement if I lost sight of the fact that the source of this adversity is the Devil seeking to crush my willingness to serve my Master. On the other hand, I once endeavored to initiate an outreach ministry and was stopped dead in my tracks by the Lord telling me this was not His plan for me (at least at the moment) – this was clear to me because the counsel not to proceed came from respected men of God; also, there was peace in the decision and not a feeling of sad/angry defeat. In either case, knowing the source allows me to be at peace with adversity.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I was out seaching for this message, yes I’ve read/heard similiar messages but sometimes you just need to see it and feel it again. God never changes and neither does His word. My marriage is in trouble, this trial has really brought me into a deeper walk with Jesus, but I haven’t seen a similar reaction from my wife. As it appears to inch closer to divorce I need to hear that God is in charge, He has plans for each and every trial and that I can rest in His hands and let go trusting Him to do His perfect will. I just needed that encouragement at this moment.