Responding To Adversity

Even more important than understanding why God allows adversity into our lives, is our personal response to it. The life of Paul and his contemporaries in the faith serve as positive examples of proper Christian response to the pressures of life. Paul may have been often knocked down, but he was never knocked out of the Lord’s service. Remember he said, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the futherance of the gospel.” The problems associated with Christian living in our day are just as real as the pressures faced by Christians in the first century. Our response to pressure is important in advancing the cause of Christ as well.

We sometimes seem to abdicate our responsibility and adopt the role of mere spiritual survivors. When asked about how we are coping we tend to use the old cliché and say, “As well as could be expected under the circumstances.” When all along we know we should, by God’s strength and power, be victorious in all circumstances.

Our proper and Godly response to pressure can turn problems into patience, vexation into victory and tragedy into triumph. The same pressure that can cause a destructive explosion can be harnessed to drive the wheels of progress. Pressure usually produces and the production can be good or bad. Both the Old and New Testaments give many examples of the right and wrong ways God’s people have responded to pressure as they were tested in the crucible of crisis. The mere mention of names such as Job, Jonah, Joseph, Elijah, David and Peter immediately conjures up images of proper and improper responses to the pressures of Christian living.

Someone has said, “A Christian is like a tea bag, he’s not worth much until he’s been through some hot water.” Spiritual hot water is inevitable in the Christian life. Problems, real and imagined, afflict us on every hand. It is tremendously important that as we pass through the trials of life we come out on the other side as a source of blessing to those who may be looking to us for help and encouragement. Our response to adversity may make a real difference in the life of someone else.

One of my most vivid and pleasant memories from my childhood involves working the bellows for my father and uncle, who were both trained by their father as blacksmiths. I would watch as they would heat farm tools in a fiery bed of charcoal, quickly withdraw them, beat them upon an anvil and then quench them in a barrel of water. The tools were then ready for the task of tilling the roughest and rockiest of fields. It sometime takes the pressure of God’s fiery furnace and blows upon the anvil of life to produce sharp and enduring tools for His use in the planting and cultivating of His spiritual harvest.

Should We Be Men-Pleasers Or God-Pleasers?

Christians are often faced with the alternative of pleasing God or man. It is all too obvious that many times it is impossible to do both. God’s ways are not man’s ways. The paths that lead to a position of popularity with God and man do not often run parallel. It was Jesus Himself who spoke of their divergence. He pointed to a broad way and a narrow way. He made it obvious that the broad way that leads to eternal destruction is man’s way. He also said, “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you.” It was the wise man who gave us the proverb, “There is a way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

How true the statement, “A man who wishes to lead the orchestra must first turn his back upon the crowd.” So it is with spiritual leaders and Christians who wish to please God. The desire to be liked, accepted, popular, and comfortable, compromises and destroys the witness of many today. Perhaps this is the primary reason we see those who once were looked upon as sound and scriptural preachers of the Word falling away from the truth and departing from the faith. The one thing that seems to be common among them is a seeking for popularity with the world and the approval of the powers that be in the world.

Some marketing organizations exist today for the purpose of determining just what churches and pastors can do to please and attract the world around them. Whole movements are focused upon the concept of structuring and implementing ways of worship that titillate the senses of the lost. Methodology and music are adopted in order to appeal to the tastes and attitudes of the unregenerate mind.

The Christian should seek the approval of God above all else. He should determine to be popular with Him, no matter what the cost. But so many today are like those in the day of our Saviour. He described some very religious folks as men pleaser's rather than God pleasers. He said of them, “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43)

These same difficulties sometimes face New Testament Churches today. The world’s view of a with it church has never coincided with God’s view of a church that glorifies Him. The choice today seems to be much the same as it has been in every age. Should a church seek to be in the mainstream of religious activities and be accepted by the world or strive to be in the center of God’s will?

A person who pleases God is a person God will bless. A church that pleases God is a church that is after God’s own heart. Why? Because the praise of man is at best fickle and fading. It means nothing in God’s economy. Its echoes in time will not even penetrate God’s eternity. But it will be sweet music to the ear when the sound of our Savior saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” fills His heavenly universe. The harsh sounds of some worldly church music and the words of praise and accolades spoken by men will have long since faded into trivial insignificance!

Power For Positive Living

Ephesians 5:18  "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess,  but be filled with the Spirit."

Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us a very simple analogy about our relationship to the third Person of the Holy Trinity. We are told we are to avoid alcoholic intoxication and be drunk, or spiritually intoxicated, with the Holy Spirit of God. In drawing the parallels implied, the analogy becomes quite clear. He is urging upon us a life that is out of control. Out of our control, that is. A life that is controlled by a Person and power outside our personal being. A life that is obviously other-worldly.

It is common in these last days to hear tall tales of aliens invading planet earth. People are increasingly taking such claims seriously. I understand to speak of a simple encounter of the third kind is rather old-fashioned these days. The latest device Satan seems to be employing to prepare people for his incarnation and coming as the anti-Christ, is a whole genre of stories and tales of bodies being invaded by alien beings from outer space. The bodies of those who have been saved by the grace of God have been invaded by another Being, so to speak. A Being so good and powerful that the concept defies logic, reason and the comprehension of the unregenerate mind of man. This Being will not lead us to do act out of control emotionally or do irrational things.

In this context, the analogy Paul draws is evident. The intoxication process involves a gradual relinquishing of control of the body, being and faculties to another power. The power of alcohol. As the process proceeds, the effected person's habits and personality traits often undergo a complete transformation. As the process peaks, the person involved moves from self-will and self-control to "spirit" (alcohol) control.

This state is easily recognized by those around him. Inhibitions are removed and he sometimes attempts deeds that appear foolish and risky. He has a certain boldness. He will sometimes demonstrate a false fearlessness or pseudo-courage. A determination and stubbornness is also manifest. He will insist upon certain action or conduct, no matter what the consequences might be. It has been observed that feats of unusual strength may be attempted as well.

Many times the experienced alcoholic will build up an increasing tolerance and resistance to the control of the "spirit" that influences him. He is able to hold his drink and resist its influence by continuously struggling to maintain self control. With all this in mind, it is crystal clear why the Bible enjoins total abstinence as the best practice for a Christian.

The details of this analogy are quite obvious in Paul's call for the Christian to be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit. The spiritual analogy is clear. The backsliding Christian may also resist the control of His Spirit. The ideal and ultimate is the absolute abandonment of self-will and subsequent submission to the Word of God and the Spirit of God as we seek the will of God. In this positive spiritual process we will find power for living the God-pleasing life. Then the different parallels will become obvious.

The primary key to successful witnessing is a holy boldness. An abandonment of our will to His will in the matter of soul winning. Under His control we will not be afraid or embarrassed to share our testimony and witness in all the circumstances of life. We will not be intimidated or inhibited by Satan and his crowd.

As we move out from under self-will and self-control our actions may appear foolish and risky to the world around us. The apostles were mocked as fools as they witnessed and preached the Word of God. Why? Because they were controlled by the Holy Spirit. When the followers of Christ were first called Christians at Antioch, it was in scorn and derision. Why? Because the control of the Holy Spirit of God was conforming them to the image of Christ.

Have you ever wondered, as I, just how these men and the millions of martyrs that were to follow in their footsteps, had the courage and power to stand and give the glory to God as they died for the cause of Christ? It could only be because they were under the control of the Spirit of God. Perhaps we are not called, yet, to pay this supreme sacrifice, but Paul's call to us is to present our bodies a living sacrifice - transformed by the power and control of His Spirit into bold and faithful witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. May we daily be being filled (controlled) by His Spirit!

Why Adversity?

Why do God’s people have adversity? As David asked, "Why do the wicked seem to prosper at the expense of God’s people?" Why do terrible tragedies occur in the midst of times of great success and prosperity? Why do a multiplicity of calamities, as in the case of Job, seem to come one upon the heels of another?  

Adversity can be the deadliest source of discouragement or the greatest impetus for spiritual growth in the life of a believer. The difference depends upon and is determined by our understanding and response to the pressure involved. But just why might God allow adversity into the life of a child of God whom He loves?

Adversity may be God’s way of getting  our attention. If we focus our life on the world and its standards and priorities, we may invite and accentuate adversity. When we become absorbed in our own personal plans, projects, programs, ambitions, goals and friendships, God may patiently try to get our attention. When we leave God out of our life and our priorities and decisions, inevitably problems and pressures arise too large and complicated for us to solve. When we become too busy with our own selfish will, God may intervene to show us His way of real peace and joy and His schedule and priorities for our lives. 

Such adversity is good for us.  Adversity may be God’s way of reassuring us of His love. Real love must be tough. Tough love means to care enough to rebuke and correct. Physical and emotional pain serve a real purpose. God shows His love by sometimes painfully reinforcing the dangers in our life. When we finally recognize God’s loving hand of correction and turn to Him, our experience will have been beneficial and spiritually maturing.  Adversity may be God calling us to self-examination. One purpose of chastening is to achieve self-examination. This process begins with self-examination, conviction and confession of sin. But if in adversity we become embittered and engrossed in examining and blaming others, God cannot use this process to bless us. Self-examination should lead to repentance and restoration.

Adversity may be God’s way of conquering our pride. God’s grace is free, but there is one thing essential to receive it - humility. God may occasionally prick our balloon of pride through adversity in order to humble us under His mighty hand that He might lift us up to a place of fruitful service that
pleases Him..

Adversity may be God’s way of reminding us of our human weaknesses and frailties. God sometimes tests us and prepares us for challenges in the future.  When stretched, a rubber band breaks at its weakest point. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Only by placing pressure upon materials, can we detect certain flaws. When God works powerfully through our obvious weaknesses, both we and others are freed to give Him all the praise and glory!

Adversity may be God’s way of motivating us to cry out for His help. The intensity of a child’s cry will determine the urgency of a parent’s response. When God’s children cry out in true repentance and faith, God will always lovingly respond.  Ultimately it is not the nature or severity of adversity that really matters.  It is our response to it. Someone has well said that Christians are like steam engines, at their best when under pressure!

Hope And Help For Today

If man has ever lived in time when he needs help and healing, that time is now. We are assailed on every hand. Insoluble problems plague nations and individuals. National debts multiply at speeds approaching the speed of light. No politician or potentate presents a trustworthy proposal to place international budgets back into balance. The fabric of the very souls of nations is being torn to shreds by economic, social and political upheaval. Child molestation and sexual perversion threaten to destroy a whole generation. The traditional Christian family seems to stand on the very verge of extinction. Add to all this the very real and present danger of militant, violent and savage Islamic terror that threatens to subjugate the whole world under brutal sharia law and establish a dictatorial Islamic Caliphate.

Where is the politician or leader who can truly call men and nations that were once called Christian to repentance and back to their Christian heritage? Where is the philosophy or the philosopher that can bring help and healing? Did David speak for us when he poured out his heart to God and said, "Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had the wings of a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest."

Is there any hope, help or healing for our contemporary frustration and despair? Were our antecedents in the faith merely engaging in meaningless superlatives when they spoke of the great God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? Just how great is He? Was John exaggerating later when he concluded that, "...greater is He that is inure than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4) Was Paul deluded when he said, "I ,can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."? (Phil!. 4:13) Is there help today for all our troubles, trials and tribulations? It would seem so.

Surely those wonderful words He spoke to His disciples when He said, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest," are meant for our day and time as well.

Someone has likened the tender, loving compassion and care of God for His children' to the ancient king sitting on his throne, surrounded by his council of wise and important men, deliberating on high affairs of state involving the destiny of nations. Suddenly he hears the sorrowful cry of his little child who has fallen down and been hurt. He rises and runs to his relief, soothes his pain and relieves his fears. Is this out of character with his high and kingly estate? Not in the least. His action does not deny His sovereignty, but demonstrates it.

Our King of Kings and Lord of Lords numbers the hairs on the head of his little children. He engraves their name in His hand. He cares, oh yes, He cares. His heart is touched with our grief! The loving compassion expressed in His rescuing us from the fearful doom and destruction of sin, confirms His greatness.

Once an ordinary boatman was rowing a college professor across a stream. When they were in midstream the professor said to the common man, "Do you know anything about philosophy?" "No," the boatman replied. "Well," the professor replied "You've lost out on a large portion of your life." Just then the boat capsized and boatman cried out to the professor, "Can you swim?" The professor gasped, "No!" The boatman yelled back, "Then you've lost your life!"

The professor had been so concerned with the academic and the theoretical, he was not practically prepared to survive in a real life crisis. It's all a matter of what is the most important in life.

Jesus said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. If we are going to function and cope with life to the best degree, we must know the life giver and the life sustainer. He stands ready to impart to us not only the spiritual survival skills necessary, but will provide is with the wisdom and power to apply them to our everyday existence. Hope, peace and happiness head the list of the spiritual help He wishes to provide for His children as they wend their through this world. Yes, our Lord knows the way through the wilderness of this world and all we have to do is follow! - Pastor John G. White