Advancing – and Growing – Through Adversity

There’s a common misconception being presented from some pulpits across our land that once you commit your life to Jesus Christ, it’s smooth sailing from there. After all, aren’t you a “King’s kid”? 

 

Yes, receiving Christ as Savior and Lord – being “born again” as He termed it in John 3:3 – means we become children of God. But that doesn’t mean never having to face hardships, struggles or pain. The Son of God, Jesus had “nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20); He endured extreme opposition; and suffered terrible scourging, then was crucified. If our Lord suffered, why should we be exempt?

 

In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul says part of our ‘job description’ as followers of Christ involves adversity. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him” (Philippians 1:29).

 

Then Paul declares, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). “Sharing in His sufferings”? Bold, powerful words, right?

 

The apostle wasn’t writing from a beach resort – he was in prison, fully aware that his time on earth was nearing a close. And yet Paul didn’t complain about his circumstances. If anything, he rejoiced because of them: “…what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ” (Philippians 1:12-13).

 

Even as a prisoner of Rome, Paul used every opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. His message wasn’t falling on deaf ears; even his jailers were hearing and responding to the Gospel. While boldly declaring, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” he also told believers in Philippi with confidence, “I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:21,25).

 

Everyone who has participated in an exercise regimen has heard the mantra, “No pain, no gain.” To get stronger, faster, lose weight, recover from an injury, or just get in better shape, it’s going to require strain, aches and soreness. Considering how the Lord often works in our lives – especially in the hard times – we could state this a bit differently: “God doesn’t waste pain.”

 

Looking back over my life, moments I’ve grown the most spiritually have often been while experiencing adversity: major challenges at work; struggling when there was too much month and not enough money left; going through open-heart surgery; working through serious family crises. 

 

Every time I felt like giving up, crying out to God, “I can’t do this!” I’d sense Him responding, “I know, My child, but if you’ll trust Me, I will do it through you.”

 

Years ago, I had the privilege of helping a good friend write a book titled, “Advancing Through Adversity.” Mike was an entrepreneur who had worked hard to build a successful business in the tech industry. He’d committed his company to the Lord and trusted Him to guide his decisions. Still he encountered setbacks that seemed overwhelming.

 

Working through formidable problems wasn’t fun, but ultimately Mike was able to look back and see not only how God had worked to resolve those issues but also how those times served to strengthen and refine his faith. In the process, he became a much more effective witness for Christ as his employees and peers in the industry observed how he coped with one kind of adversity after another.

 

The Bible underscores the value and importance of adversity in our spiritual journey. For instance, Romans 5:3-5 tells us, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

 

Later in his same letter to Christ followers in Rome, the apostle Paul made a statement most of us have heard many times: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). This might not seem the case as we’re going through hard times, and it’s sometimes tossed out carelessly as a casual platitude. Even so, it’s true, a promise from God – even though we might only recognize it in hindsight.

 

Another apostle, James, affirmed Paul’s perspective when he wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

No one wants adversity. The Scriptures don’t tell us to seek it out or pray for it. But when it comes, as it inevitably does, we have the Lord’s assurance that He knows what we’re facing and will indeed use it for our good in transforming us “into the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

Do We Worship a ‘Build-a-Bear God’?

When our daughters were young, a few times we visited a retail store that amounted to a do-it-yourself enterprise. It was called “Build-A-Bear,” where children could select their specific furry animal, its little clothes and other features, then put it into the magic stuffing machine. Voila, instant favorite toy!

 

Pastor and author J.D. Greear referred to this recently when he stated some believers seem to be worshipping a “build-a-bear god,” one that meets their whims and desires, perhaps even one they’ve “created” in their own image. We’ve seen this in some who follow prosperity theology adherents, the “God wants you to be rich” preachers. “If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, as it says in Psalm 50:10, just ask Him to sell one of the cows for you.”

 

Similar to this is the “name it and claim it” crowd, folks who believe that since they’re children of God, as the Bible teaches, they can ask for anything they want and God will do it for them. They might even cite John 15:7, when Jesus said, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, as whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

 

Then there’s the “build-a-bear god” who loves everybody to the extent that they all will be welcomed into God’s eternal family, no matter what they’ve done – even if they didn’t believe in Him or flat-out rebelled against Him during their time on Earth.

 

There are many other variations on this same theme, but basically a God who answers our prayers and does whatever we want, however we want it done. I find this troubling on a number of levels. 

First of all, if God is who He says He is in the Scriptures, He’s clearly the one in control, not us. Like it or not, the Bible recounts many times the Lord exacted harsh judgment and punishment of people who defied Him and His teachings. Perhaps we resist this image of God because deep down we realize, apart from His grace and mercy, we deserve the same treatment. 

 

We have straight-forward passages such as Psalm 100:3, where it declares, “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who made us, and not we ourselves.” As our Creator, Provider and Sustainer, God is the one rightfully calling the shots, not us.

 

In terms of the “God wants you to be rich”-type sentiments, it’s true that in many places the Lord expresses His eagerness to bestow wonderful things on His people. In Luke 11:13 Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” But He never promised that every one of His followers would enjoy an earthly mansion, a luxury car (or cars) with the latest high-tech gizmos, or a bottomless bank account.

 

The apostle Paul offered a very different perspective in recounting his life before and after encountering Christ. After writing about the lofty status that he had been accorded as “a Hebrew of Hebrews [and] a Pharisee,” Paul then asserted, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:5-10). Doesn’t quite mesh with the promises of boundless health and material wealth sometimes promoted.

 

When Moses met the Lord at the burning bush and God told him to serve as His messenger to the Israelites, Moses was reluctant. “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13). In other words, “Who shall I say is this God who sent me?”

 

The next verse gives the response, which was quick and direct: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM who I AM.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites. ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God didn’t say, “Well, who would you like Me to be? How can I meet your expectations?” He just said, “I AM.”

So rather than trying to determine the God we want, why not simply accept, glorify and worship “the God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” (Revelation 4:8). And if we’re unclear about who exactly that is, He has given us 65 other books of the Bible that tell us all we need to know about Him. Certainly not all there is to know about Him, but all we need to know – to love, honor and serve Him. 

Life According to Dodgeball

Remember playing dodgeball in elementary school? If you’re under 30, maybe not. In some places this activity’s been banned because if played with malice, it can become barbaric. During my grade school days, our intentions didn’t involve mayhem.

Sometimes life does seem a bit like playing a non-stop
game of Dodgeball. (Wikipedia image)

If you’re not familiar with dodgeball, or didn’t see “Dodgeball” the movie, the rules are simple: Players divide into two teams, and using a large, inflated rubber ball, compete in a single-elimination contest. The aim is to avoid being struck by the ball, even a glancing blow. If someone from the opposite team hits you with the ball, you’re out. One by one, competitors are eliminated until only a single player is left standing.

Think of it as a variation on music chairs. Except someone wisely realized throwing chairs wasn’t safe, so they substituted a ball. Quick and agile players, especially those that can toss the ball with accuracy and speed, usually prevail.

In some ways, everyday life’s like a game of dodgeball. Lots of things coming at us, many of them totally unexpected. For some, the secret to success is simply to avoid being struck. Unfortunately, that’s like attempting to survive rush-hour in some cities without getting any dents. Nice try.

My more aggressive classmates chose to refer to dodgeball as “bombardment.” Some days that seems an apt description for what life serves us. We’re cruising along, stress level at a minimum, when some emergency arises. Maybe a tire blows on the highway, far from the nearest exit. Our computer crashes at work – making that essential report needed for the meeting in 15 minutes inaccessible. Or frantically preparing for guests coming over for dinner, you leave the special dessert in the oven for too long.

We can think of countless other circumstances that cause us to want to duck and twist and squirm as the “dodgeballs” fly at us with machine-gun speed. It’s not fun being bombarded.

Some followers of Jesus Christ believe we should be insulated from such onslaughts. God loves us, right? Certainly, He wouldn’t want us to have to endure hardships. Right? We’re “children of the King” – that must mean we’re entitled to live in carefree, regal splendor. Right? Spoiler alert: That’s not what it says in my Bible. Or yours.

An interesting verse in the Scriptures finds the apostle Paul declaring, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). I’ve been around quite a few people who are all in when it comes to knowing Jesus and experiencing the power of His resurrection. “Yup, I’m good with that!” But they tiptoe around the last part, the “fellowship of sharing in His sufferings” part. As well as the idea of “becoming like Him in His death.” Who wants that?

But as in dodgeball, we’re told in the Bible that suffering, hardship and adversity are inevitable. They’re included in the believer’s job description. Sooner or later, we’re going to get hit. It’s not a matter of “if,” but when – and how.

Think of it this way: If anyone could have succeeded at winning the “dodgeball” of everyday life, it would have been Jesus. Yet the Scriptures tell us, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Joy? Going to the cross?

That’s exactly what it says, and being called to “the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings,” we’re instructed to boldly face life’s onslaughts, not seeking them out, but also not expecting to dodge them all. That’s the application of Paul’s exhortation when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Then he teaches, just two verses later, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

This is one of Paul’s recurring themes, since he also writes, “Be joyful always; praying continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

It’s almost like the apostle informing us, “Like it or not, you’ve been recruited to play a game of dodgeball – every day of your life – and sometimes you’re going to get hit. You can grumble and complain if you want, but you’ll find it much better to face the adversities that come your way with joy, and thanksgiving, knowing God is in control. If Jesus was willing to embrace the hardships He had to endure, He’ll help you in dealing with yours as well.”