What Does Adversity Mean In The Bible
adverse or unfavorable fortune or fate a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress: Friends will show their true colors in times of adversity. an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance: You will meet many adversities in life.
Also Check: What Does Bible Say About Cremation Vs Burial
Temptation Is Not Sin Yielding To Temptation Is
With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke God’s discipline by willfully sinning. None of us is above God’s discipline if we engage in sin. We must look for and take “the way of escape” God provides in every situation where temptation is found . To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man” . There are no “new” temptations in life.
The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Our own “desires” entice us away from God and desire “gives birth to sin” . God doesn’t tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices.
Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to usobedience to God’s Word . Temptation is not sin yielding to temptation is. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it.
How Can I Experience Peace Amid Financial Troubles
In such times, it is important to focus on what no one can take away: Gods love and our relationships with loved ones. The positive part of losing our treasure is remembering that earth is not a safe storehouse. Jesus exhorted His followers to store up treasure in heaven, not on earth. It is a reminder to us not to invest in things that are temporary but to invest in things that will last for eternity.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
You May Like: Chronilogical Order Of Bible
We Have A Promise Of Peace And Rest
Psalms 85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints
Isaiah 26:3,4 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Philippians 4:6,7 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Correcting Jewish Misconceptions Regarding Adversity
James chapter 1 deals with the way the Christian should handle adversity. His teaching should be understood against the backdrop of some false assumptions held by many Jews, including our Lords disciples. Based upon Gods covenant promises with Israel , individual Jews were inclined to expect God to invariably bless them materially in response to pious living. Conversely, they expected that those who did evil were to experience divine discipline in various forms. In short, they expected God to bless them for doing good and to punish others for their sin.
We see this mindset revealed by Jobs friends in the Book of Job. In truth, Job was being tested with adversity because of his piety, and not because of sin . Jobs friends persisted in trying to force him to confess that his suffering was the result of some sin he had committed. If he but forsook his sin, they insisted, then God would again bless him. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, had the same assumptions about prosperity and poverty, and he was frustrated and angry with God because the wicked appeared to prosper while the pious did not . Even our Lords disciples bought into this thinking. When they came upon the man who was born blind, they revealed their wrong assumptions when they asked the Master, Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents? . James is going to give a very different perspective on the Christians attitude toward adversity.
Recommended Reading:
Don’t Miss: 365 Fear Not Bible Verses List
Maintain A Heart Of Gratitude
Its a fact of human nature that dwelling on the negative rather than the positive eventually affects the way you view everything in your life, and your gloomy outlook becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. King Solomon wrote, As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Positive thinking is more than just a slogan. Ive never known teammates to follow a quarterback who gets in the huddle and says, I dont know if were good enough to beat these guys. No, theyre looking for someone that believes they can win and says, We can and we will beat these guys.
What Are Gods Purposes For Allowing Adversity In My Life
James the Apostle recommended a surprising response to troubles: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing .
The Apostle Paul expressed a similar perspective on adversity: We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly .
These men understood that in light of what Christ did for us by providing salvation, the difficulties we experience in this life take on new meaning. They are a means through which God works to accomplish His will in our lives: to shape us so that we reflect the character of Christ. On the basis of this purpose, all adversity works together for our good and Gods glory.
Adversity gets our attention.
When adversity comes, we are forced to face problems and pressures that are too big for us to resolve. In this way, God gets our attention. We cant continue to pursue our goals, tasks, and relationships in the same manner. We have to stop and evaluate our situation, ask God for wisdom, obey His Word, and trust Him to bring the help we need.
Adversity reminds us of our weaknesses.
Adversity exposes pride.
Recommended Reading: Omer Bible Meaning
About Dr David Jeremiah
Dr. David Jeremiah is one of Americas most trusted Bible teachers. For more than 39 years he has helped millions deepen their understanding of the Bible through 4,552 daily Turning Point Radio releases and a daily Turning Point Television program that reaches millions of people globally.
Copyright © 2022 Turning Point for God. All Rights Reserved · Terms & Conditions · Privacy Policy
How Did You Like This Article
If this article was helpful to you, please consider linking this article to your own blog or sharing this through the social buttons to the left. You might also find some of these other good articles helpful:
Bible Verses About Money Take a look at this huge list of Bible verses on the topic of money.
25 Bible Verses For Strength Looking towards God as your source of strength in times of adversity.
25 Bible Verses About Love What does the Bible say about love? Check out these great scriptures and quotes.
Resources
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version
The Holy Bible, King James Version
www.youtube.com Song Great is Thy Faithfulness- Selah
Read Also: What Is A Omer
Bible Verses About Overcoming Adversity Struggles And Hardship
The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links . Learn more about how we make money. Last edited November 16, 2020
Our family has had no shortage of hard times and struggles the last few years.
Weve had the ups and downs of family life, health struggles for just about everyone in our family, and the hardship that goes along with watching as my dad fights his progressive form of Parkinsons Disease.
If we were going it alone, any of these things might have been enough to break us, but through it all weve had strong faith that God is working in our lives, that we can trust Him, and that His strength is enough.
Today I want to share some verses that I have found helpful over the past few years, that have bolstered my resolve and given me hope. Im hoping that they can give you some encouragement as well.
Quick Navigation
Deuteronomy : 8 Youre Not Doing This Alone
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
One of the lies we often believe when we feel stuck is that we are alone in this.
Nobody else understands how hard this is. Nobody else has been in this situation. Nobody else feels my pain. No one gets it.
God promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. Just because you are going through a tough time doesnt mean He has abandoned you.
God is with you, always!
Don’t Miss: Apocalypse Bible
How Long Will Our Adversity Last
There is no record of how long an adversity would last in the bible but it all comes down to you as an individual on how you react to it. When you go to God immediately in prayer and with an obedient heart, be rest assured that God will rescue you from it. If you choose to do it on your own terms and ignore God, then you are telling God you dont need Him, then the devil takes over and that could go for a long time.
Two good examples in the bible is the story of the Isrealites exodus from Egypt to the promised land but had to spend 40 years because of their attitude and unbelieve.
Another one is the story of Job and what he had to endure but Job found favor in Gods sight and because of his obedience, God restored all he had lost double fold.
I Am Afraid To Fail How Can I Be Effective For God
Throughout Scripture, we see God helping His children overcome their fears and weaknesses, and He promises to do the same for us. When we dont know what to do and were caught up in fearful insecurity, we need to focus on the knowledge that God has called us to somethingthat He has given our lives a purpose. Keeping our eyes on Him will fill our hearts with optimism and hope. God does not require us to be successful or perfect, just faithful.
Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to themthe children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
Also Check: Read The Bible In Chronological Order
Who In The Bible Faced Adversity
There are many people in God’s Word who faced adversity. Jesus is at the top of the list as He had to pay the price for everyone’s sin and be forsaken by God Himself for a brief moment in time. Then there was Moses who lost everything in order to follow God. David is likely a name that comes to mind to almost everyone as well. His life was filled with a lot of stressful situations and even death. Job is another famous person who went through a lot of adversity. Thank God that he got it all back and more in the end.
Is God With Us Through Adversity
The Apostle Peter wrote that we should not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you .
This was a reminder to Christians that, despite their affliction, they are never alone. The spirit of God rests upon them and will strengthen them in the midst of their struggle.
Likewise, Jesus said that blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted .
Life is never easy or pain-free. However, the invitation from Christ is clear. Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light .
Of course, few will ever embrace adversity or look forward to hardship, and yet, the Bible says that God sometimes uses adversity and hardship to grow and strengthen His children.
What others mean for evil God often turns to good .
Recommended Reading: Historical Order Of The Bible
A Deficiency Common To All Suffering Saints: Wisdom
James 1:5-8
5 But if10 anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
As I have indicated by the footnote in verse 5, the ifis not really iffy. James assumes that everyone is deficient in wisdom. If there is ever a time when our lack of wisdom is apparent, it is when we are in the midst of adversity. We need wisdom to rightly assess our situation and to determine our response to it. At times like this, we need divine wisdom, which we do not possess within ourselves. It is the kind of wisdom which God possesses, and which He promises to give to those who ask for it. Many of our teenagers wear a bracelet that reads: WWJD. This stands for, What would Jesus do? Isnt that the question we all need to ask? Isnt what Jesus would do in our circumstances the wise thing we should do? James goes on to encourage us to pray for wisdom by assuring us not only that God will answer our prayer for wisdom, but that He will do so without shaming or humiliating us. This is because He is glorified when we confess our dependency and His sufficiency. God delights in the fact that we express our dependence on Him.
What Does The Bible Say About Adversity
One of the greatest misconceptions about the Christian faith is that hardship and adversity are removed from life. Christians are never exempt from fire and flood. What we do have is the promise that we will never go through the storms of life alone.
- Joel RyanContributing Writer
- 20221 Feb
Our time on earth can be filled with many wonderful, beautiful, and joyous moments. However, in the same life, we will also face unspeakable and often unexplainable hardships, tragedy, and loss. The prophet Isaiah did not say if we go through fire and flood he wrote of when .
Read Also: Bible Books In Chronological Order
What Is A Good Scripture For Encouragement
There are many great Scriptures that can offer encouragement, but one that is particularly powerful is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This verse reminds us that no matter what challenges or difficulties we may face in life, we can always overcome them through the strength and power of Jesus Christ. So if you need a little encouragement, be sure to read this verse for yourself!
How Do I Move Beyond Discouragement
The journey begins with elevating our perspective and remembering Gods faithfulness. If we are going to move from despair to hope, we must fill our hearts with compassion and find our strength in God. Regardless of events going on around us, we need to serve Him faithfully. As we build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we can contribute in ways that will outlive us, outlast us, and restore hope for the future.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Recommended Reading: Why Is The Bible Not In Chronological Order