The Teaching of Adversity
"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. . . " (Psalm 91:1, 10) - the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He is saying, "There is nothing for you to fear." The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life - He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment - "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life. . . " (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can "be of good cheer" even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.
-Oswald Chambers
My Utmost For His Highest
Life has been relatively easy-going for us for many years. Dennis said near the beginning of his cancer diagnosis that he thought God must not have thought we could handle very much because we hadn't had to face very many challenges. But this past year and a half, we have certainly faced strain through the adversity of cancer in our lives. But through this strain, we have been strengthened. We have discovered new life as we have overcome the obstacles set before us. And seen God's faithfulness in providing the strength we needed for each moment. Christians need not fear trials. It is through these difficult times that we will grow in our faith like never before if we completely trust God to carry us through. The final result is strength we never thought we'd acquire and joy - true joy. Thankful for our God who has overcome the world!
John 16:33
The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. . . " (Psalm 91:1, 10) - the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He is saying, "There is nothing for you to fear." The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life - He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment - "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life. . . " (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can "be of good cheer" even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.
-Oswald Chambers
My Utmost For His Highest
Life has been relatively easy-going for us for many years. Dennis said near the beginning of his cancer diagnosis that he thought God must not have thought we could handle very much because we hadn't had to face very many challenges. But this past year and a half, we have certainly faced strain through the adversity of cancer in our lives. But through this strain, we have been strengthened. We have discovered new life as we have overcome the obstacles set before us. And seen God's faithfulness in providing the strength we needed for each moment. Christians need not fear trials. It is through these difficult times that we will grow in our faith like never before if we completely trust God to carry us through. The final result is strength we never thought we'd acquire and joy - true joy. Thankful for our God who has overcome the world!
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