Leaning Into Adversity
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (NRSV)
There are times in life when people, circumstances, storms and even our own emotions come against us. We call those times ‘times of adversity’ – and whilst none of us go looking for adversity, there are times when adversity finds us.
Might I ask you today, how did you feel the last time you were faced with adversity, the last time the winds were against you? Did you want to run and hide, perhaps? That’s a very natural reaction, by the way – we all have it.
And yet, as someone who over the years has spent a lot of time flying in planes, I’m often amazed that a plane always takes off – and indeed lands – into the wind, rather than having the wind at its tail.
Why? Because the laws of physics mean that, with its nose into the wind, the plane can get both lift and drag depending on whether the pilot’s trying to take off or land.
It’s a picture that serves us well when it comes to adversity – this idea of leaning into the wind, leaning into the adversity.
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (NRSV)
That seems rather harsh, doesn’t it? And yet, it’s on that day of adversity that our strength is tested. It’s on that day of adversity where our strength really matters.
None of us ever feels particularly strong in the face of adversity. But something happens when, in partnership with God, we lean into it – something quite remarkable.
Just as that plane is able to rely time and time again on the invisible laws of physics, so you and I discover time and time again that we can rely on the invisible faithfulness of God.
Don’t faint on that day of adversity. Lean into it. God is in that place with you.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Ethan Crawshaw
Dear Davis, Naturally, I’m very sorry to hear that life is so hard for you and that there appears to be no end in ...
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Dear Davis,
Naturally, I’m very sorry to hear that life is so hard for you and that there appears to be no end in sight to your troubles. However, be assured that nothing escapes the notice of our Lord in both our good times and bad – he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). This is confirmed by the two passages below. However unpleasant our trials may be, the Lord will use them to refine us and bring us closer to him. He may also use our response to suffering to inspire and challenge those around us.
1 Peter 1:5
By God’s power we are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:8
He (Jesus) will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Whenever we feel troubled, it is a great idea to consider what St Paul went through in his ministry to the Gentiles. He shares with us in 2 Corinthians 11 some of the things he suffered in order to carry the Gospel through Asia Minor and then into Europe. He talks of countless beatings, imprisonments, receiving 39 lashes from the Jews five times, being beaten with rods three times, being stoned, being ship-wrecked three times, adrift in the ocean, enduring sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, cold and exposure and danger from his very own people. Add to this what he calls a thorn in the flesh, an unknown painful ailment he would carry to the end. And yet he did not complain and nor did he ever give up. Despite his sufferings which were off the scale, he was able to write these celebrated lines to his friends in the Philippian church:
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Davis, I hope you can draw comfort and inspiration from these thoughts. May the Lord bless you as you put your trust in him!
Your brother in Christ,
Emma Eckelton
How true this is God’s word is yeah and Amen. Thanks for always speaking into my spirit.
How true this is God’s word is yeah and Amen. Thanks for always speaking into my spirit.
John Chobocky
Leaning into adversity knowing God is with you makes you feel so much stronger and your confidence level rises so much, ...
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Leaning into adversity knowing God is with you makes you feel so much stronger and your confidence level rises so much, thankyou.
Davis
What happens when the time of adversity is or seems so long? Being consumed by hardships that you start wondering ...
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What happens when the time of adversity is or seems so long? Being consumed by hardships that you start wondering whether there’s God. Are the promises for others and not for you? Your heart cries out but you wake to see the hardships that you want to give up living. Am at that point in my life where tough times are the only constant in my life.
steven
Berni Diemet is a very humble and honest man of God. Thank you for your messages at 5am on Fresh fm.
Berni Diemet is a very humble and honest man of God. Thank you for your messages at 5am on Fresh fm.