Role of Adversity – God’s Answer For Pandemics
Considering what is currently transpiring throughout the world, I thought this article taken from my book The Fulfilled Marriage: The Three Doors might be pertinent and serve as an encouragement for you.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28, New International Version (NIV)
Adversity is part of our lives. Sometimes things happen that are heartbreaking, and sometimes they can be extremely evil. At some point, in all of our lives, we will have experienced pain and suffering. Most times, if we hold on to the belief in the above Scripture, we will see that there was purpose and meaning in what we have experienced. At other times, we must just trust in the “All-Loving-One.”
My mother used to do needlepoint. When I would watch her, I could only see the back side of the fabric that she would be decorating or wording. As a little boy, I was somewhat confused about how the top of the fabric could be so beautiful but the bottom so scrambled and messy looking. After becoming a Christian, I realized that my life was like the needlepoint – so messy in some places that I couldn’t see the beauty.
So many things seemed to make no sense from my viewpoint. Now I see that I will only get brief glimpses of what God is doing with my life. Just like the boy who watched his mom, I will only wonder in the fact that He is doing it. And I know He is doing a great job!
How much energy do we expend trying to evade difficult situations and avoid the pain that life brings? Unfortunately, in our culture, and even within the Christian community, many believe that one should not be subject to trials and difficulties. But the truth is that all of us, Christians or not, will encounter difficult times and seasons.
The assurance that we have, as believers, is that there is nothing that can happen to us that will separate us from God’s love. Attitude and trust are so important in these times of trials. This will ensure that God is glorified and that we will continue to mature and become more “Christ-like.”
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Romans 8:35, NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, NIV
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39, NIV
Testing through discipline and adversity is in God’s design for our “education and growth.” It’s for His glory that we triumph over adversity.
After reading this article if you have a sense that you have a need for comfort in tribulation that all of God’s children are promised but you have not experienced, please take a serious moment and consider turning your entire life over to God, including your fears and anxiety. Jesus is knocking at your front door, you just need to ask him to come in.
God bless all, and stay safe!
Ted
Ted’s book, The Fulfilled Marriage: The Three Doors is available at this link on Amazon.
