Lessons from Adversity (Part Eleven)

He leads me …

We have been reflecting what Charles Stanley has to say about the benefits of adversity based on Paul’s experiences throughout the New Testament. Now we find out another way that we are better off.

 12 LESSONS FROM ADVERSITY - Growing Closer to God Through Trials and Troubles[1]

 Through tribulation and difficulty, Paul learned:

 11.   We can rejoice in the midst of adversity. In Philippians 4:4, the apostle wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Knowing the Lord is always in control of our circumstances gives us a reason to celebrate.

 It is important to understand what Paul means when he says that we are to rejoice "in the Lord." It is part of a Christians action in love (see Romans 12:12) and a proper example to others (14:17). It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It emerges clearly in times of suffering and trial (Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:2-3).[2]

 Rev. Kevin MacKenzie in an article to the Guardian put it very well when he said, ‘Perhaps we endure personal challenges because of physical illness, grief, unemployment, family issues, addictions, depression, loneliness, uncertainty about our own future. We all have burdens that we bear and they take their toll on us. It would be irresponsible for us to deny this and it would be wrong not to seek help or to offer help to others. In light of this, we have a choice to make. We can succumb to the negative forces that assail us, letting them have the upper hand or we can choose to direct our thoughts in other ways. In the Christian community, we talk about having Good News to share, the Good News that proclaims the fact that God loves us.

 ‘We say that God is with us throughout life and that “there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from that love” (Romans 8). We say that we trust God’s Holy Spirit to guide and support us. Saying the words is the easy part. Giving the words life is when the work begins, for making these words real and meaningful requires a choice — to choose celebration.

 ‘We can choose to rejoice and give thanks for all that God has done and will do for us.  We can choose to celebrate the fact that we are children of God and that God’s love continually surrounds us, giving us the strength, and the incentive, to face the hardships that intrude into our experiences.  We can choose to make room for God when life is good and zest for living is keen.

 May you know the reality of God’s love in your life, and find your own reason to choose celebration.’[3]

[1] https://www.intouch.org/Read/Blog/12-lessons-from-adveristy

[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=470

[3] https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/provincial/rejoice-in-the-lord-always-again-i-say-rejoice-philippians-44-112997/

“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) By Rev. Kevin MacKenzie. The Guardian Published: Jun 04, 2017 at midnight Updated: Sep 30, 2017 at 4:03 a.m.