The Blessings of Adversity, Pt. 3

The Apostle Paul experienced many trials and tribulations as a follower of Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians, he shares with the church his many struggles.

The Blessings of Adversity, Pt. 3

"Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches."

(2 Corinthians 11:28)

The Apostle Paul experienced many trials and tribulations as a follower of Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians, his most autobiographical epistle, he shares with the church his many struggles. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 we read,

"From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."

Paul endured, remained faithful to God and the ministry, and has given us a great example to pattern our lives after.

As I read about Paul's multiple and severe adversities, my trials are very small in comparison. He endured so much and ended up dying the death of a martyr because of his commitment to Jesus. Paul's difficulties remind me of Job. God chose him as an example of one who would be faithful no matter what the devil threw at him... and the devil did throw all he had at Job. Job struggled, but by God's empowering grace, he made it through. You will make it through too if you do not quit. You may be going through a trial that seems to have no end, but it does. Most likely it will cease, and life will get back to a more normal pattern. But even if it does not, then God will walk you all the way home to be with Him.

I am watching a young mom in our church who is going through the harshest of tragedies in her life. Her husband has betrayed her and left her for another woman. They have two small sons, and it is devastating to her. It is one battle after another. But she has relied on the Lord, her family, and her church family. God is with her, and He is allowing her to suffer, but one day she will be a powerful help to others who walk through the same trial.

You will face adversity; the question is, how will you respond? We have a choice of how we will respond during trying days. We can complain, or we can double down on our trust in God. We can turn to worldly pleasures, or we can turn to God.

I am praying for you, even though I may not know you or your particular trials and adversity. I pray that the Lord would grant you His sustaining grace.