I wonder if some of our greatest blessings arise from the ashes of adversity. Do you think that sometimes God sets up an inconvenience and adversity in order to bless us? Does the presence of adversity just force us to trust Him? Is the prize at the bottom of our adversity-crackerjack-box the hidden blessing? If we set aside our aggravation, will we find the smile of God’s intent? Do our impatience and frustration just rob us of the joy of trusting in our God?
Serious Adversity
This side of heaven we may never know all that God saves us from. Did that maddeningly slow driver, who made us late, simply save us from an accident? Are we foaming at the mouth and pushing against God’s staying hand? Am I raging against the things that are set in place to preserve me? This is an example of “Angels Watching Over Me,” but what about the inconveniences that are set in place in order for me to receive a blessing?
Living Christian Adversity
I want to give an example of that happening at LivingChristianBooks.com. We run a pretty tight ship, and shipping errors happen very, very rarely. But what I’ve seen over the years is every time there has been an issue with an order, those who responded with rage and frustration, leave that way, too. Conversely, every single one of those who responded with acceptance, leave richer. Sometimes God puts speed bumps in front of us so that we will slow down and enjoy the scenery. Not every speed bump is put in place simply to aggravate. I have seen extreme blessing come from apparent inconvenience. Often the error gives us an opportunity to have more interaction with the customer, which gives Christ further chance to flow. What might have been a singular transaction now could be relational.
Conquering Adversity
This all goes back to faith and being led by peace. As a male conqueror, I can often approach obstacles with a can-do attitude. But maybe some of the obstacles I’ve conquered were meant to slow me down in order to bestow a blessing on me. Maybe they were set in place to test my trust in the God of my circumstances. If Christ is over all and in all, then my gritted teeth is just resistance to Him. I purpose to enter the rest and He will keep me there! I am not a Viking conqueror; I am a sheep of His pasture.
One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:6 HCSB
Jas 1:2,3 Count it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance
Yes John, I do feel that adversities and inconveniences are blessings in disguise…to the point that, today, when they happen, I can’t help but wonder what God must be up to…
But I think that seeing this comes from believing in God’s absolute sovereignty!
Great post! I am currently going through a season of this. This morning I was reading my favorite devotional “God Calling” and this is what it said: July 28 – Mistakes I am your Shield. No buffets of the world can harm you. Feel that between you and all scorn and indignity is a strong shield. Practice feeling this until nothing has the power to spoil the inward peace. Then indeed a marvelous victory shall be won. You wonder sometimes why you are permitted to make mistakes in your choice when you sought so truly to do My Will in… Read more »
Walk by faith, not by sight.
Adversity, the paterbing of our flesh, is evidence of God’s work in our lives. He brings us to His cross so we might meet with Him.
Excellent message John, thanks. I can recall the very first time I placed an order through Living Christian Books. Along with my order of Watman Nee’s CD-ROM, I received a written blessing from a guy named John. It absolutely blew me away to realize that someone on the other end of an “ordinary transaction” made it a “living impartation”. So yes, we need to see His Hand in the adverse transactions of our daily walk, but also in the smooth transactions and thank Him for both. Love to all of you Shulamites.
You said it well, Irene.
Enjoy this post , I’m going through a time of hurt and loneliness and surely I hated it at first. I was angry at God for giving me this life of just being a loser, but then I realized that He is saving me for something better. I just have to wait. I now can say through all the suffering He has lead me through , has been some of the best times of my life. I am so happy I suffered, It’s leading me to trust in Him and Love Him even more. Now I want alone time with… Read more »
Ah, I thank you for this… and John’s sharing too!
I was thinking along the way while reading John that MAYBE bumps in the way are the chances of Christ to go through the mess! Without bumps, when would the forgiveness come through… where the heavenly touch… where the Cross and Life of Jesus?