Responses to Adversity

Over the past few months my wife and I have been teaching our daughter how to respond in moments of adversity. 

She is a very talented and intelligent seven year-old (I know, I am a proud father) and we have noticed that she often becomes overly frustrated when things don’t come easily to her.  It is in these moments of adversity that we remind her that she chooses optimism or pessimism and this choice will directly impact her future.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of talented and intelligent leaders in the church.  Looking back, I can say that the same is true for them as well. 

Whether it is planting a church, starting a business, or growing a relationship the daily choice is ours.  Many people can start great things based on talent and ability but when we face adversity and we all will, it is our choice whether to look at it with optimism or pessimism. 

Here are some great thoughts on Adversity from Os Hillman.  You can find more of his thoughts here: http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/tgif/

"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.