Yesterday we shared an introduction to the Book of James. We learned how this book is a letter. It wrestles with the question of adversity and gives the wisdom to help us persevere our most difficult challenges with joy.
Today we begin to examine that wisdom. God provides us assets to face adversity. None of these assets are strong enough alone. It's when they are combined that they become a powerful force, enabling us to live in the fullness of Christ.
The first asset is knowledge. There are five important truths you need to know about adversity. God’s truths are evident, but they are not always perceived. We may accept a truth on a rational level but may not embrace it with our heart. I would like to invite you to pray and ask God to help you receive these five truths. Ask him to help you not just agree with them, but to embrace them.
Truth #1: Trials are Certain
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds . . . James 1:2 (ESV)
Notice this verse above says when you meet trials. It does not say if you meet trials. We live in a sinful and fallen world. There are illnesses and natural disasters. Poverty and violence have existed since the beginning of time. We cannot forget the great enemy that is death. It will rob us of our loved ones and one day claim us as well.
The reality of adversity is an obvious truth, but one many people reject. When trouble comes their way, they react as if they are somehow surprised. They live in denial as if heaven on earth is something that can be achieved.
God does not promise to keep us from adversity while on this pilgrimage. His promise is to give us the strength and power to overcome (see John 10:10 and Romans 8:37).
Truth #2 Trials Point us to Something Greater
The fact that we have trials in this world point us to the idea that there is something greater. We await the new heavens and the new earth where the old order of things will pass away (see Revelation 21:1-4). We may face trials now, but for those who are believers these trials are only temporary. There will come a day when the adversity in this world will long forgotten.
Truth #3 Trials Build Character
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:3–4 (ESV)
Adversity builds character. You are the person you are today because of the way you have responded to adversity in the past. Remember when you were in school, and you faced a difficult concept in math class. You wrestled with it. There was blood, sweat, and tears. But you stuck with it. You overcame and mastered the concept. Learning this first concept then laid the foundation to master more complicated concepts. If you had not persevered, you would not be able to do some of the most fundamental things you take for granted.
If you never faced adversity, you would never develop perseverance. I doubt there are many who would say that perseverance is not important. A life lived with any significance is going to need determination and persistence. The above verse relates when perseverance has its FULL effect, it leads to abundance.
Truth #4 Trials Bring us Back to God
Adversity gets us on our knees. It causes us to open the pages of Scripture. It leads us back to active participation in the church. The bottom line is that it causes us to seek God.
When times are good, we tend to grow complacent. We tend to have an easier time calling out to God for help than we do praising him for his many blessings. Some of you can attribute your relationship with God to a trial or challenge faced in life.
Truth #5 It’s Not Knowledge Alone
These truths alone may help us persevere. Although it is unlikely this knowledge alone will give us strength for the difficult challenges in life. There is still more. We have an amazing God, who generously and richly supplies beyond our comprehension. There are more assets he puts at our disposal (see Ephesians 3:20-21). We will look at the next one tomorrow.
Questions for Reflection
- What lessons have you learned from adversity?
- How has adversity helped to develop your relationship with God?
- What evident truths give you strength to face the trials of life?
- Share your answers/thoughts/questions in the comments below.
Gary Kessler says
Adversity show’s me God’s faithfulness. He always steps in, just in time, if I persevere.
JOAN says
Since I have Jesus, I know I am not alone through adversity. He has made Himself known to me in many difficulties.
Lisa Martin says
Adversity showen me that I am human and I don’t have to figure it out all on my own. The song “Just a little talk with Jesus” is always a verse away.
Kay says
I think adversity is a reminder that we are not the center of the universe; that we are not in control and we have to trust that God is for us and admit that only he has the world in his control. It is easy to survive adversity and chalk it up to surviving; but maybe grace will enlighten us as to the greater reality of a larger destiny…
Hummie says
Done. I put them on my blog in hopes it will motivate others to come and read your great devotions.
…and yes, I tend to babble as my mind analyzes.
Patricia says
Adversity has drawn me closer to God. I am constantly reading the word and growing. I grow closer to God everyday. It also allows me to make sure that I am walkingin obedience. (Pat)
Don Schumaker says
Adversity teaches me to trust more in our loving Lord. He is the rock on which I stand as the waters and winds of adversity buffet me. Thank you Lord for loving me.
Sara Minhinnick says
Adversity reminds me that I need God and that I don’t have to go through it alone. Praise God that He is the help that I need to make it through any adversity.
Sandy Shipley says
I regret that it often takes adversity in my life to remind me that I am never alone.
Jules says
Adversity has taught me about the great power of presence for one who is suffering. This is a ministry accessible to all, to offer mercy.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment”.
Beth says
During my times of adversity I have drawn closer to God than at any other time.
Kathi Kovilaritch says
Through adversity, the Holy Spirit taught me what it means to be a child of the Most High God. Through the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to enter into a deeper understanding of the opportunities God gives us in our suffering…most especially…the opportunity to understand the Father’s sacrifice of His only Son. With the Holy Spirit leading us, we more astutuely discern love…God’s love for us, and our absolute lack of being worthy of that love on our own. Our suffering brings us before the Almighty in a way that is not duplicated in times of peace and plenty. In adversity, we have the opportunity, through our brokeness, and the communion of prayer, to enter into a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Sovereign, perfect God. Through the Spirit to the Son, we cry out in our distress. Never do the words of Jeremiah 29:11 ring truer than when in our weakness, we crawl onto the lap of the Father, tears flowing, heart broken, and soul pained, yet still knowing without doubt that true refuge is found only in the Trinity. In those moments we come to increasingly trust He who said, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In those moments of breathtaking oneness with the Godhead, we know indeed that He is God. In that knowledge there can be no absence of joy…a deep and abiding “knowing” that it is “well with my soul” joy. It is through that revelation of true joy that we patiently persevere, coming to know as the apostle Paul did, that the contentment we find in God is worth the hardship of adversity.
Jodi says
It is hard and I am having a difficult time reconciling it in my heart and mind. Please God help me to face adversity better.
Tammy says
Just keep reading more and more scripture, everyday, morning and night. Gods truths will solidify in your heart and mind. Reset your compass to His truths
Hummie says
That is a beautiful and simple prayer from the heart. Thanks for sharing.
Lola says
Adversity literally brought me to my knees before God. Broken and reaching out for the Lord, he heard my cries and lifted me from my heartbreak over the death of my child, my mother, and my father. The 3 losses coming so close together, brought me back to searching the scripture with questions and yearning for a closeness with God.
Kima says
Thank you for this new series. It was good to see you in my Inbox again!