Calvary's touch Encourages you-- Advancing through Adversity

Advancing through Adversity

The circumstances and events that we see as setbacks are oftentimes the very things that launch us into periods of intense spiritual growth. Once we begin to understand this, and accept it as a spiritual fact of life, adversity becomes easier to bear.

Biblical narratives such as those of Lazarus and Joseph make one point undeniably clear: God uses adversity in the lives of His children. Adversity, however, is not simply a tool. It is God's most effective tool for the advancement of our spiritual lives.

It is within the context of this principle that Paul was able to say: "All things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8: 28.

This is a conditional promise. For the person who does not love God and thus is not interested in knowing Him or growing spiritually, all things do not necessarily work for good because sometimes that "good" is the lesson or depth of character developed as a result of adversity. From God's perspective, it is good if we learn to be patient. It is good if we learn to love those who are unattractive. God values character far more than wealth, prominence, health, or many of the other things we hold dear.

Whose Good?

The "good" of Romans 8:28 is not necessarily the story of a man who loses his job and in the end gets a better one. It may be the story of a man who loses his job and comes to a greater understanding of what it means to trust God daily. The "good" of Romans 8:28 is not necessarily the story of a young woman who loses her love only to find a better catch later on. Instead it could be the story of a woman who through the tragedy of a lost love discovers God's call to enter full-time God's Service.

The reason so many of us struggle so intensely with adversity is that we have yet to adopt God's perspective and priorities. As you read the lives of biblical characters, you will notice quickly that their stories do not end with, "And they lived happily ever after." Often times, their stories seem to end just the opposite way. Moses died in the desert just a few miles from the Promised Land. Paul, according to tradition, was beheaded by Nero. Many of the disciples of Christ were martyred.

Are we to conclude from these examples that God has no interest in His children being happy? NO! We are told that heaven will be a place of great rejoicing and happiness. But God wants far more for us than simply living a life that is problem-free. The fact is the people who have no problems as we usually think of them are some of the most unhappy people in the world. They are usually bored. After a while, their boredom drives them to things that cause problems. It is a mistake to think that a problem-free life is a happy life.

Happiness Defined

Happiness, the way God defines it, "is a state of well-being that reaches deep into the soul of a man or woman." Its context is much broader than mere circumstance. Its effect on the emotions goes beyond momentary excitement. And the means by which one comes about it is not by the acquisition of more things. Neither is it the rearrangement of circumstances. The happiness God desires for His children comes only through the process of spiritual growth and maturity. Apart from that, there is no lasting happiness.

God does want us to be happy, but not the happiness advocated by the world. His desire for our happiness is expressed by His desire for us to "grow up" spiritually. The Apostle Paul put it this way:

"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:14-15.

To remain spiritually immature is to run the risk of eventually abandoning the faith. To adopt a worldview or life philosophy other than God's is to embrace a lie. No one has ever been "happy" for very long embracing a lie. Therefore, spiritual growth is imperative from God's point of vew not only for our spiritual well-being, but for our general happiness as well. Continual spiritual growth, then, is the means by which God keeps us in tune with His purposes for our lives. Be encouraged.

*(to be contd next week)

*****Letter # 45 (25.11.2000)****************************************