“My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for the salvation that comes from his presence.”[i]
Adversity is the potting soil for developing the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control; Nothing in the Torah stands against such things,” Galatians 5:22-23.
It’s easy to have joy or peace when life is running smoothly, but when we get “hit” by a massive uncontrollable wave that pounds us to the ground, how do we get up again? How do we respond?
Years ago on vacation to Captiva, Florida, we had little understanding to the ways of the surf, especially on a stormy day; and in our spirited youth we ran into the huge powerful waves – the aftermath of a big storm. The force of the waves was too strong for me to stand so I gathered shells, on the shoreline.
I looked up when this massive rogue wave headed relentlessly toward our friend. As I tried to yell for him to get out of the water, unable to hear with the groaning noise of the surf, like a giant hand, the wave picked him up, all 6 foot 2 inches of him, and in its’ immense power slammed him to the ground at the shoreline. We were stunned and he wasn’t moving…as we ran over to him, he slowly stood up, got his bearings and laughed loudly. We spent part of the afternoon washing sand and bits of shell out of his eyes and mouth.
Thankfully he was okay but we were stunned at the power of the ocean. It was a lesson learned through an experience to respect the water. We all grew that day in understanding of not only the power of the surf, but also our weakness to manage the force of nature.
So what do we do when an unexpected life-pounding wave picks us up and slams us to the ground?
First, we pick ourselves up and brush ourselves off and look at what “hit” us. Just like a red light on the dashboard reveals something needs attention under the hood; once we get the “diagnosis” from the service manager, we then know how to proceed. it is essential to examine ourselves as Paul suggests in 2 Corinthians 13:
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are living the life of trust. Test yourselves. Don’t you realize that Yeshua the Messiah is in you? - unless you fail to pass the test. But I hope you will realize that we are not failures. And we pray to God that you will do nothing wrong. We are not concerned with our appearing successful, but with your doing what is right, even if we appear to be failures. For we cannot act against the truth, only for it.”[ii]
There are so many examples in scripture of those who not only walked through adversity but turned adversity into victory. Jesus is our greatest example, with Moses, David, Samson, Mary, Paul and the disciples. We can find strength to break off discouragement with God’s help just like those who walked before us.
Adversity can be a great teaching tool in his hand to stimulate and bring change. Even when hardship comes like a thief in the night, God will turn around what was meant to destroy and use it for his good. When we surrender to his dealings he can bring to light unhealthy belief structures or detrimental ways of “doing life.” We can then ask him to bring healing, restoration and resolution. During this process of covenant exchange, we give him our lack and receive his fullness and “patience training” as he develops the Fruit of the Spirit. His desire is to bring truth, resolution, healing and renewed life to us.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, cheers us on to remember the mercies of God so we do not lose courage. He prompts us to never give up and to not faint: “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
This reminder by Paul is also important to remember: “We have this treasure in clay jars (earthen vessels) so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God, and from us. We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too. For we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that Yeshua’s life also might be manifest in our mortal bodies.,” 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9.[iii]
In the parable taught by Jesus, found in Luke 18:1-8, he talks about the “unjust judge,” and declares in vs. 7-8: “and shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find this trust (faith) on the earth at all?” Jesus is telling us to have faith - don’t give up - keep going - don’t’ quit - help is on the way!
Now, let me encourage you regarding the word “faith” in this previous scripture, especially translated by Dr. Skip Moen (Luke 18:8), which he discusses in his article entitled Spiritual Discouragement: Faith in the western world is cognitive or what we think, but faith is really perseverance. It is not giving up. “Faithfulness” is a more appropriate translation than “faith,” but Jesus in Luke 18 is talking about faith as an action.”[iv]
So if you are getting up and embracing each day, no matter how difficult, then you are putting action to your faith - you’re walking in faith! Choose to get up each morning and keep trusting and walking, keep praying and hoping, keep serving, keep reading the word, keep expecting and believing. Faith is persevering and enduring.
Let’s look at Webster’s definition of Perseverance: Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty even with little or no prospect of success. Synonyms are: persistence, tenacity, determination, steadfastness, patience, dedication, commitment, endurance.
And also the definition for Endurance: the fact or power of enduring unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving up. Synonyms are: sufferance, forbearance, patience, fortitude, determination, resolution.
One more definition for Believers: the ability to persevere in a task or calling. The Believer is called to endure in the face of trial or opposition, and his endurance brings spiritual rewards.
Even in the definitions heaven is revealing the fruit of the Spirit being developed by his hands and decreeing - “Don’t give up - spiritual reward is at hand. Scripture also expresses to:“The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne,” Rev. 3:21. This is a promise to you as you lay down discouragement and choose to release and conquer all that has caused disappointment.
Discouragement is a step away from hopelessness. God encourages us to never lose hope. He will never lose hope in you!. Even though at times we all have restlessly lamented – “why is it taking so long – when is He going to move – when is it going to change – does God even care? Proverbs 13:12 reminds us that in our sorrow, a tree of life is being prepared to appear: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
God cares about you and as Paul spoke to the Galatians, who were struggling with Grace compared to the Law, he taught in 6:9: “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.” Our Father is a God of great grace. Remember, Grace is “God doing for us what we can’t do for ourselves.” Ask him for help, to strengthen you to stay strong.
God is a magnificent Father, who watches over his children and their well being. He is attentive to you and your cry and concerns! Even though his ways are often above our understanding and we see through a glass darkly, he comes as the Spirit of Truth and Comfort, Revelation and Counsel, Peace and Strength, to guide us on our journey. His desire is for you to walk in his ways and to know him intimately. He wants to have a relationship with you. Right now, you may be in a difficult place and it may feel that know one can relate or understand where you are; but Jesus knows – and he is always working on your behalf and fighting for you behind the scenes.
Look to the animals of the earth. God has given them a divine instinct to trust that they will have food. They do not fret that they will not have a nest for their eggs or food for their chicks. Like them, let’s shift our mindsets to trust the God of the Universe and continue in “faith through perseverance,” learning endurance while we actively watch for him to move in our circumstances and fight for us. Choose to trust and hold onto him – our God of Hope. Let’s pray -
“Father, by your grace, please help us to count the good happening in our lives. Help us to keep our eyes on you and to focus on what is true, honorable, pure, lovely and admirable. Strengthen us to give thanks even in the challenges of life and impart your hope as we release our disappointments. We thank you for your covenant exchange that we can give you our discouragement and receive your peace, love and comfort, hope and joy.”
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,“ Romans 11:13.
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long,” Habakkuk 2:3.
“But you God, are a shield for me; you are my glory, you lift my head high. With my voice I call out to you – Adonai, and he answers me from his holy hill,” Psalm 3:3-4.
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord,” Ps. 32:24.
“For you are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. By you I have been sustained from my birth,” Psalm 71: 5-6.
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[i] Stern, David; Complete Jewish Bible, Psalm 42:5, pg. 831, JEWISH NEW TESTAMENT PUBLICATIONS, Messianic Jewish Publishers, Clarksville, MD 21029, www.messianicjewish.net. ©1998
[ii] Ibid, pg. 1451.
[iii] Ibid, pg. 1443
[iv] Moen, Skip, Ph.D., Spiritual Discouragement, Hebrew Word Study, ©March 8, 2017, www.skipmoen.com.
