Adversity (1 of 5)

Adversity will affect us all at some point in our lives.
It can come in a variety of ways:
• Jobs
• Finances
• Health
• Families (kids, parents, relatives)
• External sources

Adversity is defined as: Trouble, affliction, opposition, chastening,
anguish, testing, or tribulation.

It often comes in multiples (several trials at once).

It can be destructive, if we fail to see the hand of God behind it (Isaiah 9:11-13).

It can be our greatest motivation for spiritual growth,
or the deadliest means of discouragement
(the difference depends on our understanding of God’s purpose).

We know that Job faced adversity, but what kind of person was Job?
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was
blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1).

If this kind of person faced adversity,
then certainly we will face adversity in our lives.

Adversity can be:
1. God’s way of getting our attention.
2. Our assurance that God loves us.
3. God’s call for us to self-examine ourselves.
4. God’s way of conquering our pride.
5. A reminder of our weaknesses.
6. Our motivation to cry out to God.
7. Our evidence of spiritual warfare.
8. God’s method of purifying our faith.
9. God’s way of increasing our hatred for evil.
10. Our reminder to pray for our authorities (and spiritual leaders).
11. Our signal to re-evaluate our priorities.
12. God’s way of testing our work.
13. God’s way of sifting our friendships.
14. God’s call to identify with Christ.
15. Our motivation for open accountability.
16. Our preparation to comfort others.

Adversity can be destructive if we fail to see God’s involvement,
and realize He is working in our lives.

We can become discouraged by it, or we can be encouraged
in knowing that this can be a time of spiritual growth.

Our first response to adversity, should NOT be to remove it,
but to allow it to reveal our true weaknesses.

1. Adversity can be: God’s way of getting our attention.

Question: Why would He want to get our attention?
Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?
– He wants our attention because:
– He wants to fellowship with us.
– He wants us to enjoy His best.
– He wants to teach us.
– He wants to help us avoid pitfalls that will
  hurt us, (and hurt our relationship with Him).

Problem:
The cares of the world drown out the voice of God
and choke out His Word to us (Matthew 13:18-23).

We are busy with our plans, goals, and friendships – this often
causes us to fail to hear when God is speaking to us (Jeremiah 35:13-15).

Suddenly adversity comes our way and we are faced with
problems and pressures too big for us to resolve.

Our inward response should be similar to Psalms 25:1-2.

As adversity continues, and our strength is drained, Christ’s invitation
becomes more and more attractive (Matthew 11:28-30).

God’s ultimate purpose in getting our attention, is to
conform us to the image of Christ – this means that
adversity effectively works for our good (Romans 8:28-29).
2. Adversity can be: Our assurance that God loves us

He shows His love by treating us as His own children;
He disciplines us to help us, and not to discourage us.
(Hebrews 12:5-11).

When we recognize God’s love in adversity,
we can be encouraged (Hebrews 12:12-13).
3. Adversity can be: God’s call for self-examination
    (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Revelation 3:19)

As believers, we should examine ourselves frequently
(we know ourselves better than anyone else, except the Lord).
– What unconfessed sin do we have?
– What motivates us to do the things we do?
– How do we treat others?
– What is our genuine relationship with the Lord?

God wants us to identify, confess and forsake our sins
(Revelation 3:19).

God established the regular observance of the Lord’s Supper
as a time for self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28),
and when we don’t, we can experience more adversity
(1 Corinthians 11:29-30).

Note: We may have physical adversity
because we have dishonored our parents (Ephesians 6:2-3).

We could also experience adversity because we
rewarded evil to those who did good to us (Proverbs 17:13).