By Tim Bryant, Board Chair
Life is hard. Sometimes we face what seem like impossible situations and hardships. The loss of a child. A cancer diagnosis. A tragic accident with long-term consequences. Jesus said, in John 16:33 (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.”
In last month’s blog post, we looked at what happened in 19th-century Kolkata, India, when the British built a golf course but couldn’t keep the monkeys away from the ball. They changed the rules of golf for the first time to include this new rule: “You must play the ball where the monkey drops it.” The fact is, we don’t have control over what life sends our way. The only thing we can control is our response.
But the question remains—can’t we all just get saved and have a peaceful, wonderful life? Why can’t only good things happen to us? Isn’t that what the Christian walk is all about? While that would be nice, it really wouldn’t accomplish what God is trying to work in us. As we dig deeper into why bad things happen and why we sometimes suffer, we begin to see that life’s storms—adversity and affliction—come with “benefits.”
Let’s look at a few:
Adversity and affliction produce character and endurance:
Romans 5:3-4 (NLT): “…We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
Also see James 1:2-3
Adversity and affliction refine our faith and purify us:
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT): So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Adversity and affliction increase our dependence on Him and teach us obedience:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT): Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Psalm 119:71 (NLT): My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
And, finally, adversity and affliction prepare us for eternal glory:
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT): “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
The Purpose
Interestingly, Paul takes this a step further when he reminds us in 2 Cor. 1:2-3 that our sufferings aren’t JUST FOR US.
2 Cor. 1:4 (The Message) He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
As long as we embrace what God is doing in our lives and allow Him to work, He is preparing us to be there for others. When we weather life’s storms, we can come alongside someone else to help them walk through the same things!
How many times have I met someone who has said to me, “I wouldn’t trade my cancer diagnosis for what the Lord has worked in me through it.” These are the people prepared to help others.
Don’t slog through the adversity and the pain of life ALONE. God has already comforted someone who is ready to help bring comfort to you. But also remember—your abilities, skills and experiences ALL COME TOGETHER, not only to make you WHO YOU ARE, but so you can help others, too!
As long as you embrace it and allow Him to work!
So the next time you are complaining “to the Heavens” about what you’re going through, why not embrace it as a part of His plan? Consider how you might—even if not now in the midst of the storm, but in the future—be ready to help others walk through similar things.
Here at the Inn, we’ve walked with many through trials and hardship, and we’d love to walk with you, too. Explore our programs or contact us to discover what healing and hope can look like for you and your family.
