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Teaching by Bishop Bruce Allen    

Adversity

      

I've discovered in the course of my own life that adversity is just as much a part of life as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie! Life has it’s happy moments and the challenging ones. Both are necessary to develop us into what God knows we can become. I believe that as children of God, we must learn to look at adversity from a

     

different perspective in order to gain the benefits that are available to us. What do you mean Bishop? Well, the Bible teaches us that adversity can be to our advantage if we learn to face it with the proper attitude and knowledge of God’s word. For example, James 1:2-3 informs us to count it all joy when we fall into various kinds of temptations, knowing that this “trying” works patience in your life. This may sound strange but the word “count” in its original language has within its meaning “to lead.” So then how can I have joy in the midst of various kinds of trials? First understand that joy is produced by the presence of God’s Spirit and the knowledge of His word. Nehemiah declares that the joy of the Lord is our strength. It is not predicated upon feelings or circumstances but the fact that God’s Spirit is present in me and His word is at work in me.

Counting is not chronologically naming your problems one by one but leading them to the word of God that rules your life. Facing adversity means proactively equipping yourself with the word of God so that when trials come, in whatever form, you will be prepared to combat them. The Bible teaches us throughout scripture that there are some “God ordained” lessons and blessings to gain by going through adversities properly. As a matter of fact, the only way to become what God has destined for your life is to stand under (patience) the pressures long enough for God to shape or form you into perfection (vs. 3-4).

Here are some suggestions on how to stand firm in the face of adversity:

A. Learn how to count
     • Lead the presence of failure into the providence of faith

B. Learn how to be confident
     • Knowing God’s ways through His word works experiential confidence

C. Learn how to conform
    • Patience is the by-product that comes through trials which gives you the endurance to
      stand under adversity to develop perfection or maturity
    • Adversity under righteous management conforms you to the perfect will of God

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