Wow! Can we remotely grasp that another year has come and gone? As I reflect back I remember much but it all seems like yesterday instead of a years worth. Anyway here we are to begin another year with new goals, new ideas, and new resolutions. Some I am sure we will keep and others we will not. This year I am going to try something a bit different. I am going to try to.....keep my resolutions, just kidding. No seriously. I want to offer whatever assistance I can give to those who can use, want and/or need my help.
I heard years ago David Ring ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I have thought a lot about that and I want to ask a similar, yet different, question. Maybe you have asked the same question. Why am I going through this, God? We all know the story of the man blind from birth and the people asked what sin he committed to cause his blindness. The disciples asked was it this man or his parents’ sin that caused him to be blind Those people thought, from their perspective, that somehow his blindness was a sign of the judgment of God. Those people asked the same questions that many of us ask today. Why did that person or loved one have to die? Why is my world falling apart? Why did I lose my job? Why is all of this happening to me? Why, Why, Why?
First we need to know it is alright to ask why. God can handle us asking why as long as we remember Romans 8:28: All things work together....! You know the verse. When adversity comes we tend to think, This is God's way of paying me back. Or it is my punishment for something I did. If that were God's purpose then no one would live for Him. Thinking too narrowly about adversity sets you up for needless guilt. Jesus said this about the blind man. It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him, John 9:3. There was a purpose to this man's blindness and there is a purpose for our adversities.
Adversity can be our greatest motivation for spiritual and personal growth or our deadliest means of discouragement. The difference depends on our understanding of God's purpose in adversity.
First, adversity is God's way of getting our attention. Jeremiah 35:14
Second, adversity is God's call to “self examination”. 1st Cor. 11:31, 32
Third, adversity is a reminder of our weaknesses. Psalm 103: 13, 14
Fourth, adversity is our motivation to cry out to God. Psalm 34:17
Fifth, adversity is evidence of the spiritual and personal warfare we all face. Ephesians 6
Sixth, adversity is a signal to re-evaluate our priorities. Psalm 107:20
Seventh, adversity is God's way of testing our friendships. Proverbs 17: 17
Finally, adversity is our preparation to comfort others. 2nd Cor 1:3,4
We cannot really know how to comfort someone until we have been in a place of pain. Adversity is the process we go through in order to reach out to others in their painful times. God's purpose, if you allow adversity to work, will produce a person that God can use for your good and His Glory! God loves you the same before, during, and after your time of adversity. One of my favorite verses of scripture, Isaiah 41:10. If you read it, I believe you will find strength and assurance.
I have been in much adversity this past year as many of you have. I have found, however, that no matter how difficult I may have it, if I look over my shoulder there is someone in a more difficult shape than myself. But, if we will apply these 8 principles of adversity, put them to use, and stand on the promises, we can make 2009 a better year for others as well as ourselves. There is a bit of a dissertation on our Myspace page about each of these eight principles … one new one each week. Please follow up.
I welcome your comments since this is truly just one man's opinion. Until we meet again let's continue to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel together, Ephesians 6:19
Ed Crawford
Mystery Men Quartet
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 01/05/2009
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Category: Mystery Men Quartet
Comments: 2
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Good article! Adversity = God's love in helping His children to mature while bringing them into intimacy (into-me-see) with Himself.
GREAT MESSAGE FROM A GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS
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