The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

" ... that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." —2 Corinthians 4:10

We Christians are a weird bunch! To the world we must be considered really nuts. The world flees from adversity. But as Christians, we view adversity from an eternal perspective. In fact, J. B. Phillips in his translation of the New Testament says we are to welcome our trials as our friends!

Listen to what devotional writer, Oswald Chambers says about enjoying adversity:

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him?

The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.

You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30 ). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity.

Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” ( Philippians 4:19 ).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you. (from My Utmost for His Highest -- May 14)

Are you in the midst of a difficult situation? Are you facing major difficulties in your life? Dig deeper into God's Word and allow Him to use this adversity to deepen your relationship with Him. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 15; 2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54

Dig This Quote: It is better to have God's approval, than the world's applause: there is a time shortly coming when a smile from God's face will be infinitely better than all the applause of men: how sweet will that word be, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matt. 25: 21). Thomas Brooks

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20