What Lurks On Your Street Corner?
Life is not easy. Adversity seems to be lurking on every street corner. Adversity can be defined as a state of continued misfortune or difficulty. If you are not facing some sort of adverse situation right now, be forewarned, it is likely not too far off. We do not always have to go looking for trouble. It often finds us. Nine months ago, out of the blue, we faced one of those moments. That day began like most every other workday, only to end with me in the hospital’s neurotrauma ICU after having suffered a stroke hours earlier. While I have made tremendous strides in my recovery, I will likely have continuing neurological deficits, some level of adversity, for the remaining years of my life.
Oftentimes, when folks commit their lives to Jesus, they think part of the deal is that their life will become free of adversity. They think that Jesus will deflect the flaming arrows. I had that misguided assumption early in my walk with Jesus. But that assumption is far from the truth. In fact, Jesus tells us that life is full of trouble – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This passage is part of what is called the Farewell Discourse (John chapters 14-17) in which Jesus addresses his disciples, preparing them for his earthly departure.
We are not promised safety from adversity, but rather, safety in adversity. Those are two very different things. Here is what we find in Psalm 91:1-4 – “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
And elsewhere in the Psalms – “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (112:7). Notice what this verse does not say … that we will never have bad news, that the Christian life will be trouble-free. Let’s look at that verse again – “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” In our troubles, in our bad news, because of faith in Jesus, we have a safe place to rest, a secure anchor to hold us fast.
I believe that, along with waiting, not much tests our faith, and grows our faith, more than adversity. James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote this – “My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, CEB).
Adversity lurks on every street corner. It is unavoidable. Are you building a faith that when it gets tested can be trusted? Or does your faith crumble when adversity strikes? Spending time with Jesus, and meditating upon God’s Word, are two good ways to help grow your faith. A faith that promises safety in adversity. A place of refuge for when adversity jumps off the street corner and right into your path.
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