ELDER: God Works in Times of Adversity

We all have likely experienced periods of time in our lives when it seems like one difficulty keeps piling up on top of another. It is like a conveyer belt is delivering problem after problem, adversity after adversity. We have been going through one of those stretches over the past weeks. My wife suffered a life-threatening health crisis in which her long hospital stay resulted in several setbacks and delays. In the area where we live there have been effects from a hurricane and a chemical fire. We haven’t suffered from those events to the extent others have had to endure, but they still impacted us. Additionally, we had to deal with a septic tank issue resulting in dirty laundry and dishes piling up as we waited for repairs. And the recent heavy rains revealed a leak in our roof. I could add other things to the list, but you get the idea.

In such trying times, it is tempting to give in to a negative or fatalistic viewpoint, to get discouraged, to start complaining, to feel sorry for ourselves, or to become angry. However, our faith in God calls us to seek to have a different spirit. It reminds us that in spite of the difficulties, there are many blessings for which we should be grateful. There are people who are enduring much greater trials than what we are experiencing. For example, our issues seem miniscule in comparison to what some people are suffering as a result of the recent hurricanes. Our faith also assures us that we can trust the fact that God is with us in the tough times. And we believe He is working on our behalf, even able to use the trials in our lives for good purposes.