Adversity is an opportunity. My blog going down for a few hours gave me the idea of using it as an opportunity to talk about adversity. By blog going down was a very minor “trial”, but it got me thinking about the many ways God uses adversity to bring about good.

God Brings Good through Adversity

God uses adversity and trials to show us the genuineness of our faith which is more valuable than gold (1 Pet. 1:6-7). He uses our weakness to show His strength (2 Cor. 12:7-11). All of our suffering is intense now, and nothing compared with God is doing in it (2 cor. 4:16-18). We get to taste some of that now. We get to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). We get to know God. Knowing God is God’s definition of eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

On a less significant level, He used adversity to show me that I didn’t have to post on my blog to write. I can still write. I’m really writing for myself and God. To clarify my understanding and bring Him glory. I think He has called me to write, so I write. If I am able to help someone else, all the better.

Adversity is an opportunity. We can either waste it or take hold of it and use it as a means of knowing God. I have grown to know God much more deeply in my desperation than in my triumphs. It is unfortunately in our nature to not seek God as much when things are going good. Suffering reminds us that God is working something greater in us that goes beyond this world. A greater purpose that goes beyond any worry or concern or triumph we may have on this earth. God is working good in you, live for Him.

A Question to Ponder

How can I use adversity to grow in my relationship with God?

Josh

This post was originally drafted on 1/23 when my blog was down. I typed it up and edited it on 1/25. I backdated it for continuity and easier reference.

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash.