Adversity

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

And my “Go To”……….

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

This last Friday, I had a guy tell me that there have been a lot of people talking around town about how amazed they are at how I have handled my dad’s death.  My response was “Man, its adversity.” I don’t mean to down play the death of my dad, but throughout my life there have been several brushes of adversity.  Whether it was my dad or a coach, if I had a dollar every time I heard adversity being mentioned I would be retired at the age of 26!  I guess because of how I was raised and coached, I have really only known one choice and that was to try to do the right thing, learn, and move foward.

ADVERSITY: a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty or adverse fortune

CHARACTER: the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation

It is important to talk about character when talking about adversity because a person’s character is how they handle adversity.  I think that all situations are relative (meaning what I deem important doesn’t mean to someone else it is and vice versa).  I have come to the conclusion that every person’s journey is different.  The one thing I know for certain is that everyone goes through some sort of adversity in their life time.  Throughout my life there have been several times where I have been faced with adversity and every single time The Lord has been the first thing that has come to my mind.  Coincidence? I think not….I think that The Lord allows us to go through adversities to see what kind of character we have.  You see, The Lord is the Alpha & Omega (beginning & end) therefore, He already knows the outcome, but he allows us to have free will.  So, every time we go through adversity we have a decision to make….Blame The Lord or Run to Him and find ways to Glorify Him. 

 Romans 8:28 : And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.    

 Philippians 4:12-13: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I wish that I could say that I have always ran to The Lord during adverse situations but I can’t, but the older I get the more I realize that in order to Glorify The Lord, I must run to Him for EVERTHING! What I have learned about adversity, is that during it you have 2 choices…….point fingers/ get mad/ feel sorry for yourself/ envy/ become lazy (A negative attitude)…..or you can try to find ways to Glorify The Lord and try to make the best of it (A Positive attitude). 

I don’t think anyone likes going through bad situations but if you take the situation, learn something and turn it into a positive than you will one day be blessed by The Lord.  Adversity is a tool of learning and growth.  Nothing ever stays the same, either it’s getting better or it’s getting worse.  Adversity gives you the opportunity to gain wisdom and insight to things that were previously unknown. 

In closing, I was reminded today of something me and my buddies said when Obama was elected. His campaign slogan was “CHANGE, we can believe in” (although we didn’t really completely agree with the president) we said that we were going to make CHANGE work for us.  I think the same can be said for adversity. Even though things might not go your way, make the BEST of the situation. Next time things aren't going your way just know that 1) It could ALWAYS be worse 2) Know that you have one of two choices to make.....

May God Bless you,
Daman