On Dealing with Adversity

Yesterday, I spoke of the subject “Dealing with Adversity,” and the responses were such that I decided to post a brief summary for your perusal. As usual, your comments are encouraged and welcomed.

1.    As God’s children, we can ask anything of Him, but we can never demand anything of Him. The simple fact is this: God is God and we are His children; therefore, we are in no position to demand anything of Him. When we demand something from God, we are effectively saying, “I know more about this than you know.” The demanding mentality that says, “God, if you are going to be faithful to your Word, You must do what I am asking you to do” has no place in the heart and mind of a child of God.

2.    God already sees the end of every adversity that comes our way, and He is very pleased with what He sees; to believe otherwise, is to believe that there is another god, who is greater than our God, or that God somehow makes mistakes, or that God gives man the freedom to steer off His predetermined plan.

3.    Our dealing with adversity must not move into the realm of the superstitious because superstition and faith simply cannot coexist; superstition [an irrational, but usually deep-seated belief in the magical effects of a specific action or ritual, especially in the likelihood that good or bad luck will result from performing it] has to do with fear, whereas faith has to do with trust. Superstition says things like “We have to pray in faith!” or “Don’t say things like that!” or “We can’t let up!” or “We can’t give up!” or “You must confess positive things, not negative things!” Even my preparing to speak to you about adversity, stirs-up superstition: “If I do this, then surely adversity will come to me.” Christian superstition is using Scripture to achieve a goal beyond its intended purpose and redounding to our own benefit. Sadly, the Body of Christ demonstrates more superstition, than faithl

4.    In dealing with adversity, we must, indeed, pray without ceasing, but our prayers must not be pleadings with God to do what we want Him to do; instead, they must be pleadings with Him to bring us into submission to what He wants to do. Admittedly, this is the most difficult prayer one will ever pray; however, it is also the most successful.

5.    We must not see the result of our prayers, as being determined by how much faith we have; you know, the “if you just have enough faith, this mountain will be moved” syndrome. All the faith it takes to move mountains, is faith the size of a mustard seed, so we all already have enough. The question is this: Is my progressively becoming more intimately acquainted with Jesus the object of my faith, or is removing the mountain the object of my faith?”

6.    Before it becomes obvious that what we desire is not going to happen, it would  behoove us to become well-acquainted with the truth that God actually causes all things to work together for good, for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.

7.    Adversity comes, not because God is punishing someone who sinned, but because God is love, and He happens to believe that it is in love’s best interest that the adversity come.

8.    Rather than being seen as a place filled with “land mines,” adversity should be seen as a proving ground, a place where we come face-to-face with whether we are more proficient at “talking the talk” or walking the walk?” Adversity reveals the truth.

9.    In spite of how it might seem, nothing—and I do mean absolutely nothing—can separate us from the love of God, not even the most extreme adversity; therefore, we do not have to prove ourselves spiritually strong when it does come.

10. Finally, we must remember that His strength is made perfect in our weakness; consequently, it is perfectly fine for us to demonstrate our “human-ness” when adversity comes our way. Kicking and screaming are both really quite fine.

11. One footnote: When adversity comes do not be too prideful to ask for the assistance of others within the Body of Christ. We really do need each other, and this is especially true when adversity shows up on our doorstep.

                        

"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).