The Necessity of Adversity

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear the life testimony of former motel-mogul-turned-Christian-businessman Wyden King.

He told us the powerful story of his journey from infamy to righteousness - how he got started in business as a young man, full of the world and full of himself. As such, he had no qualms about starting his motel business, which soon boomed into a highly lucrative cash cow from which he milked an average of P2M/day! Of course, such an immoral venture was not without its price - he lost interest in his wife and began a years-long relationship with a mistress, which, in turn, cost him the love and respect of his children. Then, He came to know the Lord.

Not long after, the Holy Spirit began to convict him about the conflict between his newfound faith in Christ and his multi-million peso empire of carnality. Needless to say, the path of obedience and Kingdom-righteousness proved very costly for Mr. King. With great reluctance, plenty of financial sacrifices and much bargaining with God, he began the systematic dismantling of his powerful but immoral empire, a process that lasted quite a few years. Eventually, he and his mistress separated and he began to work on his marriage anew. Ultimately, he was rewarded by the LORD with the salvation of his children and the rekindling of his love for his wife. And now, he has the joy of sharing his powerful testimony and the Gospel of Christ to all who will hear!

Now, that was a great story, wasn't it? Full of drama and conflict. We all love a great story, especially if it involves great cost, great sacrifice and great triumphs.

But what about us? How do we handle our story? When the Author of our Faith writes in a new plot twist, say, an illness or a job loss or (God forbid!) the death of a loved one, how do we respond? Are we quick to declare our confidence and hope in Him, Whom, we say, has been faithful to us through the years? Or are we quick to wither away beneath the weight of our new adversity? Do we praise Him in spite of our circumstances, or are we more prone to complain... or curse?

Sadly, I must confess that I tend to fall in the company of the latter responses. And this, in spite of God's perfect track record of faithfulness and unfailing kindness that is never too early nor too late. I hang my head in shame.

How do we overcome this fallen tendency towards spiritual amnesia? How do we learn to finally man up and face our challenges with a more steadfast faith and a tougher resolve to trust in Him?

I believe we can begin by embracing this one simple truth: "Adversity is a necessary component in our Journey towards Christ-likeness."

In Job 23:10, it says:
"But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

It has been said time and again that God is not as interested in our comfort as He is in our character. Like the goldsmith, He isn't happy with simply unearthing us from our previous darkness; He wants to make us into a glorious, gleaming treasure - a thing of beauty that is a sight to behold - for all to see! In doing so, people will not only celebrate what we have then become but they will glorify and worship Him Who made us that way!

But how does the goldsmith - and God - do this? Through fire.

Bottom line, God is at work in us and His apparent instruments of choice are the flames of adversity. Such flames are not meant to destroy us but, rather, to undo us. For it is only when we are undone in the flesh that God can begin to do His deep work in our spirit. God is the skillful Craftsman Who, even now, is refining us through the fires of Adversity to fashion for Himself a People purified as gold, useful and fit for His Divine Purpose!

The sooner we embrace this truth, the sooner we accept this process and yield to Him Who holds the carefully measured flames in His mighty hands, the sooner we shall be fashioned into His image and likeness. From our tests will come our testimony; from our mess, our message.

And God alone shall receive all the glory.