By GARY ANDREWS
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Since the beginning of time man has always faced some kind of adversity. The same holds true for today and it will be this way until the end of time. Man will always have some kind of misunderstanding or problems with others.
The real test for us is how we handle adversity. Many of us will let it roll on and on and hope it will go away but it doesn’t. Many of us will lose our temper and try to overcome these problems by showing others what we are made of and how demanding we can be. There will be many of us that don’t recognize problems and go on with life even though those around us are suffering because of our lack of attention. Then there will a few of us that will tackle the problem head on and work at a solution and most of the time this is going to be when we get on our knees and ask for God’s leadership and guidance.
Webster’s dictionary defines adversity as: a state of wretchedness or misfortune; poverty and trouble; an instance of misfortune; calamity. There are many instances in the Bible that speaks to adversity and how God always helps those that call on Him to overcome these problems. He also allows us the pain and suffering of learning a lesson when we don’t allow Him to be in control and try to fix our own problems.
In 1 Peter 5: 8-9 we are told how to handle adversity. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
All of us will enter into situations that can or will create adversity with someone else or allow us to doubt our own creditability. Marriage, job situations, politics, etc. create adversity and it doesn’t matter how deep our love is for all of these. When people live, work, or deal with people there will never be 100% harmony even though some of us will say there is.
Politicians tell us every day to allow them to set the rules and regulations for our lives. Sometimes they ignore the commandments of God and the laws created by our forefathers under the Creator’s guidance to give them the premise of being in charge. Some of the problems our country is facing today are because we, the people, have fallen for their unethical and unworthy promises.
The only way that we are able to solve these worldly problems is to have good leaders that are not afraid to recognize God as the Creator of the world and the sovereign God of all. All one needs to do is read through the Old Testament of the Holy Bible and see how God allowed His people to prosper when they followed Him and how He allowed them to wander and suffer when they disobeyed.
There is only one sure way to handle adversity and that is to listen to and obey God Almighty. He is in control and always has been. No one will ever do anything without His knowledge and His allowing them to do so.
Prayer: Father thank you for your understanding of my problems that I have created. Lead me and guide me in your direction and give me strength to stand up for what is just and right. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – James 1:2-8; Monday – Job 1:6-12; Tuesday – Acts 8:1-8; Wednesday – Isaiah 26:7-11; Thursday – Romans 8:18-30; Friday – Leviticus 26:14-17; Saturday – Philippians 1:3-11.)
sGary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com