Responses to Adversity
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no
grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no
food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I
will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior"(Hab.
3:17-18).
When we experience adversity, we generally respond in one
of three ways: (1) we become angry; (2) we try to gut it out; or (3) we accept
it with joy.
Anger
When adversity comes our way, we say, "Why me,
Lord?" We become bitter and resentful and blame God and others for our
problems. We view ourselves as victims and demand that God answer our accusing
questions: "Why don't You love me, Lord? We feel entitled to life, health,
wealth, and happiness.
Gutting It Out
Another way we respond to adversity is by adopting a
stoic attitude, repressing our emotions. We lie to ourselves and say, "I'm
gutting it out. I'm demonstrating endurance." In reality, we are merely
isolating ourselves with a shell of false bravado. We don't meditate on God's
love, we don't pray, we don't believe God really has anything good planned for
us. We simply tell ourselves, "This will soon be over. I'm a
survivor." We never receive what God has planned for us if we stay here.
Acceptance with Joy
This is the response God seeks from us. When adversity
comes, we rest in His love and trust that He knows best. We realize that
nothing can happen to us without His permission. If there is pain in our lives,
we know it's because God deems it necessary for our growth or wishes to use our
pain to minister to others.
God revealed to the prophet Habakkuk that Israel was soon
to be invaded by the Babylonians. Habakkuk knew that Israel was about to suffer
intense adversity as part of God's loving discipline of His people. Habakkuk
faced the looming national tragedy with an attitude of acceptance with joy.
If Habakkuk could be joyful in the face of a national
calamity, then we can rejoice in the Lord no matter what comes our way.
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