3 Aug 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-
Everyone has hurts. For some, the trials may seem more than they can bear and their pain is so intense that even their faith in God may be challenged. For others, trials and tribulations become victorious pathways into a closer fellowship with Jesus Christ. In this case, our response to adversity reveals our true view of God. There are times when God reveals the reason for our adversity and there are times that He will not. Sometimes, God has to prepare our hearts to accept His purpose for allowing adversity. On the other hand, there are some things God never reveal to us and we just need to trust His perfect will for us. Pastor Dr Chen shared at The River of Life Sanctuary Bandar Puteri on the 20th of July 2014, on how we should respond.
1) Face Adversity with a Postive Attitude
In the Bible, Apostle Paul and Job faced their difficult adversities with a positive response. Pr Chen shared about a story of a farmer, which illustrates how we look at something can make a world of difference on how we behave. According to the story, the farmer decided to sell his farm and move somewhere else. He engaged a realtor to look the farm over and prepared a sales ad. But before putting it in the paper, the realtor called and read the proposed advertisement to him, saying, “See if this meets with your approval.”
The advertisement spoke of a good location, a well maintained house, sturdy barns, lush pasture lands, a beautiful pond, fertile soil, and a great view. The farmer listened carefully, and then said, “Read that to me again, slowly.” So, the realtor read it to him again. Finally, the farmer said, “No, don’t print that ad. I’ve changed my mind. I’ve always wanted a place like that. I’m not going to sell.”
2) All things work for good for those who Love God.
I want you to know, brothers,that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the wordwithout fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)
“Paul is saying all these things that have happened to me have resulted in clearing the way so that the Gospel might be preached more effectively and because of Paul’s imprisonment, others were encouraged,” shared Paul.
3) Have the same mind set as Jesus Christ.
…who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)
“Like Paul we need to be secure, knowing who we are (verse 6-7) and submissive (verse 8),” said Paul.
4) Forgive, do not be bitter.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5)
“A positive mind-set of Christ, requires that we be, selfless, secure and subservient. Do not complain and argue for we cannot achieve these when we hold bitterness in our souls. Bitterness is like hanging a dead albatross around your necks. It rots. Get rid of it!” shared Paul. Life is not fair and all of us will experience hurt at one point or another but how you handle it will make you bitter or better. Unforgiveness causes so many broken relationships and leaves so many bitter. Remember to leave your past in the past so it does not hurt your future.
Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. (Job 5:2)
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)
And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
Paul shared that we need to choose who we want to be and he gave an illustration of the Vulture of the Hummingbird.
“Vultures look for rotting meat and thrive on that diet. They live on the past because they fill themselves with what is dead and gone. Hummingbirds however, they choose to ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colourful blossoms of desert plants. They live on what is fresh and sweet, they seek new life! Each bird finds what they are looking for, we all do. Time to be a hummingbird!” he said.
In everything that happens in our lives, know that it is more important to God that we become the men and women that He wants us to be than for us to spend a lifetime of comfort and pleasure. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. Anytime you violate His principles, you will experience trial and anytime Satan strikes you, you will experience trouble. Regardless, with each adversity comes the glorious opportunity for spiritual growth. The key to adversity is your response. The apostle Paul submitted himself to the will of God, and adversity became a dynamic teacher of God’s wondrous truth. Look towards to good always and be grateful in your daily lives.
Whatever you are facing, God loves you; and He is willing to take you right where you are today and change your life if you will let Him. Adversity does not have to end in defeat. It can be the point of the greatest advancement in your own walk with God if you will allow Him to work in your life.
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