In the Day of Adversity...consider

For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them. Proverbs 29:1

It’s not easy to hear someone tell you that you are wrong. It cuts across our senses as ‘failure’, ‘not good enough’ or we may even cynically consider the messengers intent. Those are two choices but there is one better and more noble.

When a messenger comes and tells you that you are wrong, agree. (Matthew 5:25) Agreeing takes the ammunition away. Agreeing soothes your own stinging pride and gives you time to pray and to consider (Ecclesiastes 7:14). For in the midst of trouble we need consideration before action. Yet even much more important than these, is agreeing leads to humility. We need humility if we are to influence… if we are to lead.

What did King David do with adversity? He agreed. When a member of King Saul’s house cursed him, did David curse back? No. He instructed his men to leave Shimel alone as the Lord had given Shimel a heart to speak evil of David. Do you think David liked it? Was David joyful and happy at this? No. He endured. He accepted. He considered. (2 Samuel 16).

Today, we won’t accept pain or discouragement or heartache. We run or hide or bury it deep. Pride will not allow us to accept that we truly are just dumb sheep, sheep that need the Good Shepherd. Most of us get insulted. Our pride is burning and we want to act. We want action because we want to appear courageous, bold, and fearless. Or, we want action because we want… revenge.

Ever consider what God wants? God wants us to trust in Him.

Can you trust God in the midst of trouble or will you shoot the messenger? If you do, God will only send another. For during adversity God is after our attention and our response. God wants to know if His character within us is developing or do we trust our carnal nature? Have we changed or our we the same inside?

And what of that messenger? (2 Samuel 19) Is he or she really the enemy? Could they be someone bold enough and caring enough to correct you, while all the while dreading your ugly response! What happens when you agree? In what light do they view you in then? For most will curse back, most will pick up the spear thrown so as to throw it back. What will you do?

‘Lord, so often my view point is all wrong. Often I fear what others may say, think, or respond to me. Lord, the truth is I don’t trust you enough. For if I truly trusted you my concern would be what you say, think, and your response. Help me and these readers develop a pure heart. A heart so pure that we can see you work in our daily lives. Help us to overcome evil with good, your goodness dear Heavenly Father!