Adversity is a way that God develops patience. James wrote that the trying of our faith work toward or develops patience. In Scripture patience is a quiet trust in God when we are going through hardships and difficulties in life. This quiet trust leads us to a silent conviction that God knows what is best for us. And that our troubles are of less consequence that tainting our relationship with God because of any build up of resentment and bitterness when trouble comes. In which no matter what happens we never cease to follow God with our whole heart.
The second reason for adversity is hard to think about. But here it is: Adversity corrects our thinking and conduct when we are wayward or errant. In Scripture the Prodigal Son left his father’s house and fell into a self-indulgent life which was far from his moral and ethical upbringing. After a while the Scripture reveals that he came to himself. He realized how foolish he had been and wanted to go back where he belonged. He did and his father received him with open arms.
Like the prodigal Son we are the sons and daughters of God. And because we have the special privilege of being His children we are disciplined with adversity when we need it. And after we have been disciplined we have a greater thankfulness for His Fatherly attention and favor. We also recognize that adversity is a hard teacher in which returning to our waywardness will be less often because we are convinced that it is unprofitable to do so. And are more persuaded than ever of what Jesus told us when he said, that His yoke is easy and his burden is lite.
Adversity is also for the benefit of others. For instance, it is unlikely that some philanthropic organizations would be in existence and funded without someone, directly or indirectly, linked to the philanthropic cause or mission through personal experience. The most effective public preachers have gone and continue to go through personal and public adversity which equip them to comfort the broken hearted, encourage the weak, enlighten the ignorant, and convince the proud. On a personal level we share our troubles with others to comfort and help them to know that God will strengthen them to mitigate or overcome grief and disappointment because we have received the same; for deep calls out to deep. And the shallow do little in deep waters where the souls and hearts of many are gasping for air.
The fourth reason for adversity is probably the hardest to think about. Jesus died on the cross or us. In His likeness, there are a few times in life when we might be called on to share the suffering of the cross with Him; for he said take up your cross and follow me. These are seasons in life in which a notable theologian once preached are the Times That Try Mens Souls. They are mysteries of adversity where there are no answers other than reaping an eternal reward for our suffering.
In closing, although we are encourage to have faith in all of our adversities we are not prohibited in seeking help from friends, family, and health care professions. We need each other in times of adversity. So we should seek help and support when we need it. Yet, in seeking help the People of Faith should always include prayer in the mix. Prayer is a distinct privilege we have been given when we are in need; for we should always cast our care upon Him because he cares for us.
JCH