![]() If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. When we persevere through hardship, we have proof that we are God’s children.įor whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Just as a loving father helps his children learn and grow through the discipline he carries out in their lives, so God uses adversity to help us grow in holiness and become more like Him. ![]() Wise discipline brings a child to maturity. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).Īdversity is an assurance of God’s fatherly love and care. We are to cry out to God with a pure heart.He forgetteth not the cry of the humble” (Psalm 9:12). “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” (Psalm 86:3). We can cry out to God for mercy each day.“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill” (Psalm 3:4). We are to cry out to God with our voice.“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). God responds to the cry of His children when they suffer. Adversity motivates us to cry out to God. For he knoweth our frame: he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13–14). “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. We can trust God to care for us and to provide all that we need. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Corinthians 12:7–10).Īs we accept our unchangeable features and embrace God’s purposes for our difficulties, we will experience the power of Christ in our lives. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. He wrote: “Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. He learned to see the good that God intended to bring to his life through it and to rejoice in God’s design. The Apostle Paul knew what it meant to live with adversity that would not go away. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me” (Psalm 25:1–2). Adversity is a classroom in which we can learn more of Christ and become more like Him.Īs we come to God with our needs, our inward prayer should echo these words of the Psalmist: “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Christ’s invitation to those who are weary becomes very attractive in the midst of trials: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Troubles point out our weaknesses and prompt us to rely on God in ways that we wouldn’t unless we had significant needs. We have to stop and evaluate our situation, ask God for wisdom, obey His Word, and trust Him to bring the help we need. We can’t continue to pursue our goals, tasks, and relationships in the same manner. When adversity comes, we are forced to face problems and pressures that are too big for us to resolve. (See Romans 8:28–30.) On the basis of this purpose, all adversity “works together” for our good and God’s glory. They are a means through which God works to accomplish His will in our lives: to shape us so that we reflect the character of Christ. These men understood that in light of what Christ did for us by providing salvation, the difficulties we experience in this life take on new meaning. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:3–6). The Apostle Paul expressed a similar perspective on adversity: “ We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2–4). James the Apostle recommended a surprising response to troubles: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
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