Adversities
In A Christian's life
Dr.
Annamma Abraham
· God gives
enough grace for whatever difficulties we face. There is a song in the night
for those who walk in the light.
Romans
5:3-5 - Exult in
tribulations knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and in
perseverance proven character, and proven character hope, and hope does not
disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
James
1:23 - Consider
it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance.
2
Corinthians 4:17 - For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an
eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.
Couldn't attend a meeting which was to be attended at 9 o' clock. Phone is not
working, couldn't contact some important people, when we go back home it is
found that the front glass of the car is broken - everything turned upside down. Such days,
weeks, and months are there in our lives.
We desire not to have any difficulties
in our lives. We may overcome some difficult situations. But we don't welcome
such situations in our life. It is through adversities only God fulfills His
purpose and molds our character.
When our own people are in sickbed, may be it is at that time we learn sympathy
and perseverance. It may be when our neighbors deal with us very harsh the Holy
Spirit teaches us the ways of goodness and love. May be through the rough
realities God is transforming us as believers.
To obey God is easier than trusting
God. When we face with
adverse circumstance, trusting God is a sign of growth of our faith in God.
Let us see Psalm: 119: 71 "It is good for me that I was
afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes”. A believer can confidently say “It
is good for me that I was afflicted.
If our way is plain and easy where would be the room for confidence in God?
Instead let me rejoice and be thankful that my heavenly Father compels me to
trust in Him by removing those things on which we tend to lean. Don’t be afraid
of the adversities in life. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ. He will
definitely help us.
Isaiah : 41:10 - Don’t be afraid for I am with
you, nor anxiously look about yourself for I am your God, I will strengthen
you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand. Jesus will fill us with his strength, because He has given us a
promise Mathew 11: 28- "Come to Me all who are
heavy-laden and I will give you rest.
· When a Christian hits rock bottom, he
finds that Christ is a firm foundation.
At this time a story comes to my mind.
There was a big storm and rain in one place. Many houses were destroyed, many
lost their business, many people died. There was no limit to the destruction
and death. Many became down physically, mentally and spiritually. After a few
months all the believers of that place met together and shared their
experience. The people who had great loss, admitted one fact that human
capacities, wisdom and strength are so limited and how helpless human beings
are.
We may be people who are proud of our achievements in the world. But at certain
situations, we have to admit that we are nothing. In all these things the
steering of our journey is not in our hands, but in God's hands. In many shrewd
and intelligent people's life at some point they have to admit as Job said (Job 1: 21) " Naked I came from my mother's
womb and naked shall I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away,
blessed be the name of the Lord."
Let us consider the life of
Abraham. "Father of a multitude”
See his wanderings- he went from Ur to
Haran, to Canaan, famine sends him to Egypt, returns to Canaan. In his
wanderings separates from Lot, rescues captured Lot. Takes Hagar as his
concubine-Ishmael born-covenant renewed-renamed from Abram to Abraham.
Covenant is in Isaac not in Ishmael. Witnesses Sodom's doom. Abraham's
intercession saves Lot.
God's promise to Abraham that he would
have a son seemed to have expired with age and his whole body was dead at the
age of hundred. Sara his wife was barren and aged.
Romans 4:19-Yet Abraham believed
God who gives life to the dead and calls things do not exist as though they
did, who contrary to hope, in hope he believed, so that he became the father of
many nations.
What lifeless situations do we have daily? Ask God for the eyes of faith that
see with hope. Hope like an anchor fixed on the unseen.
Consider now the life of Jacob
Jacob was deeply depressed in his
life. His children went to Egypt to get food. Jacob was very much depressed and
broken-hearted when he heard the news what they said as they came back. Jacob
said to them,"you have bereaved me of my children -Joseph is no more,
Simeon is no more and you would take Benjamin also, all these things are
against me." But yes through all adversities God was leading him to a most
favorable situation. Jacob, all his children and grandchildren were lead to
Egypt and there they became a great nation.
Consider the life of Paul.
Paul was in many adversities after his conversion as a
Christian. He was in many hardships -imprisonments, beaten many times without
number, stoned, shipwrecked, night and day he spent in deep. He was in frequent
journeys, often in danger of death. 2 Corinthians 11: 23-33.
Look at the life of Joseph, Moses, all the prophets
and apostles. They had to face many adversities, but they enjoyed the support
and care of God in all those situations.
· Let us exult in our adversities,
knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance proven
character and hope.
· All obstacles are stepping stones to
the beautiful house of God.
· Knowing that He is upholding us with His righteous right hand, may we entrust ourselves in His hands.
· His presence won’t allow the obstacles
to overpower us.
· In adversities we learn the care, love
and support of God.
· Though all around me darkness and
earthly joys are flown, my Savior
Whispers
His promise-"never to leave me alone". When we have
nothing
left but God, God is enough
· Let us praise God for all the
adversities. It helps us to be steady in our faith, separate us as His
children, and to know His love.
· When we feel the stress of the storm,
we learn the strength of the anchor Christ.
· No matter how far you have run away
from God, He is only a prayer away.
Our journey as followers of Christ is
like a snowy drive, quite exhausting and sometimes disappointing. When
disappointments and sorrow come, our thought should go to the wonderful passage
of the bible that describe- our home is in Heaven.
Psalm 23: 6- I will dwell in the
house of the Lord.
To run lives’ grueling race, to win the lasting prize, to finally succeed in
this endeavor, look to the day you will gaze into the Savior's eyes, and
understand you are home with Him forever.
Heaven's delight will far outweigh earth's difficulties.
No comments:
Post a Comment