Developing Faith through Adversity

[Bro. Bill]

Corinthians 11:23-30

It doesn't seem fair, does it? Paul spent his life serving Christ,

and yet he experienced continual suffering. Why would God let

one of His most faithful servants go through so much pain? This

isn't just a question about Paul; it's an issue we face today. In our minds, the

Lord should protect His loyal followers from hardships, but He doesn't

necessarily do so.



Maybe our reasoning is backwards. We think faithful Christians

don't deserve to suffer, but from God's perspective, suffering

is what produces faithful Christians. If we all had lives of ease

without opposition, trials, or pain, we'd never really know God,

because we'd never need Him. Like it or not, adversity teaches us more about

the Lord than simply reading the Bible ever will.



I'm not saying we don't need to know Scripture; that's our foundation

for faith. But if what we believe is never tested by adversity, it

remains head knowledge. How will we ever know the Lord can be

trusted in the midst of trouble if we've never been challenged by

hardship? God gives us opportunities to apply scriptural truths to the

difficulties facing us, and in the process, we find Him faithful. For example,

how would Paul ever have known the strength of Christ if he had never been

weakened by pain, persecution, and adversity?



Depending on your response, trials can be God's greatest means

of building faith or an avenue to discouragement and self-pity.

If you'll believe what Scripture says and apply its principles to

your situation, your trust in God will grow, and your faith will be

strengthened through adversity.

Have A Blessed Day!

[J-J Matt]

Thanks

[Lonestar88]

Thanks for the words Mr. Bill

[axisbuck24]

That is so true! When this life drops you to your knees there is only one person strong enough to lift you up simply by his word...God!

During adversity we discover how much Our Father loves us. It is during troubling times he places people in our lives to assist. God knows our heartaches and he know when we have been wronged. Stay focused on God and you will find comfort no matter how strong the storm may feel. I would not say it is a test of strength but rather an opportunity to gain a personal relationship with him.

Thanks for this one today Bro. Bill!

[jetlag887]

Thank you, Sir. Good read!

[jetlag887]

Thankyou, Sir. Great read!

[Bro. Bill]

up

[Mertzon Man]

Thank you for the message, I needed the lift.

[Bro. Bill]

up

[elkbowhunter]

Good word Brother Bill. When I read Paul whether he was eating apple pie or in chains in prison he had the same joy. It don't matter if your house is flooded or you have a huge ranch with 200 class deer on them....its all the same. Paul was clear that he no longer lives, but it was Christ that lived in him. The old Paul was dead. The new life "IN CHRIST"that he had was his passion, his joy whether he was in good or bad times. That why he was so joyful in prison. He knew who he was. We seem to always pray that our life would have no adversity but if you are believer like Paul he welcomed it. Its all good!! He loved it cause it exposed what he really believed. Very few like to hear this truth but it is truth. All things are for a purpose, most of the time we don't see what that is. We just abide and surrender our desires for HIS. Thanks for the word.