“Then he [God] sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free… Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household… He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisers.” (Psalm 105:16–22, NLT)
A long time ago, a Christian considered what effect adversity had upon the individual. In response, he wrote down the following:
Problems often provide us with greater opportunities
Problems can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
Problems prove our integrity (1 Pt 3:15)
Problems produce a sense of dependence
Problems prepare our hearts for ministry (you become more empathetic)
As you read through this list closely, it will become clear that the author did not view problems as detrimental to faith or life. For the faithful, problems tend to strengthen the character of a person’s faith. Problems clarify what is right and wrong in the world. Problems give greater spiritual maturity. Problems often increase our willingness to empathize with others. Malcolm Muggeridge was quoted as saying, “Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.” (As printed in “Homemade”, July 1990).
The relationship between overcoming problems and spiritual maturity is noted in the Bible. For example, the author of Psalm 105 determined this as he looked back in history and viewed the life of Joseph. As part of God’s plan to save Israel, before God sent a famine to the Mediterranean world, God “sent someone to Egypt ahead” of time (Psalm 105:16). God sent Joseph, son of Jacob. Though Joseph was “sold as a slave” and reduced to a life of servitude to Pharaoh, God was working behind the scenes to mold Joseph into a true man of God. Throughout this entire period of Joseph’s life, “the Lord tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm 105:19). When the time was right, and the famine took hold; Joseph’s character and abilities were noted by Pharaoh. Joseph was not only put in charge of the king’s household from whence Joseph saved his entire family, he was given great power that was used to save thousands from starvation. Joseph’s many difficulties and problems and trials molded his faith into the perfect remedy with which to respond to an extraordinary situation.
Being a nurse, Josephine picked up on her symptoms before most would have even noticed. After a bout with the flu, she had shortness of breath. Then, a few weeks later, she began to experience sweating when she did routine work at the hospital. One morning, after just beginning her shift, she felt a severe pain in her left arm. A few other nurses attributed her arm pain to a bad night’s sleep. One suggested she probably hurt it while lifting a patient earlier when changing linen. Josephine had a feeling it was her heart. She took leave from her floor and went down to the Emergency Room. There, they found she did indeed have an arterial blockage. Sadly, they could not fix the problem with angioplasty. She required open heart surgery.
During and after her open-heart surgery, Josephine realized the importance of having someone there to help patients work through their post-operative challenges. She formed a group of heart attack and heart surgery survivors to visit patients in the hospital. They did everything from talk heart patients through upcoming rehab to helping them adjust their diet and exercise programs to compensate for the changes to the body. To date, she has received thousands of letters complementing the group’s work.
Let me tell you a little bit about Josephine. For a long time, she didn’t have time for God or prayer or worship. Her family and nursing job were everything to her. However, after experiencing all the problems with her heart and surgery and rehab, Josephine changed. She began to spend more time with her family. She began to pray and read her Bible daily. She joined a women’s bible group. And out of her great increase in empathy, she began the survivors’ group. The last time I talked to Josephine, she was a bundle of excited energy, so very hopeful about all that was happening in her life. She was nominated by two separate groups for special commendation and awards. Her greatest challenge in life so far made her not only more spiritually mature and empathetic but gave her a powerful message of hope which she shared with any who would listen.
You may think of problems in your life as terrible things to endure. Yes, they may bring difficulties and trials. Yes, those problems may cause everything from fear to worry and even the threat of death. However, adversity has a way of changing some people of faith into spiritual dynamos whose courage is an inspiration. When God wanted to greatly affect the world in the time of Israel, HE sent Joseph through trials and temptations, even testing his character. The result was a man who was in a perfect position to save the entire eastern area of the Mediterranean from a famine. Let Joseph’s adversity remind you that God will often use challenges in your life to deepen and embolden your faith. The end result will be a faith that just won’t quit!
However, be warned. Shallow Christians often do not respond in the same way to adversity. When difficulties and challenges come to some Christians, they fall apart and fall away from God. They might grow angry at God. They might become bitter and resentful. They might end up spewing their wrath and fury upon others, destroying what little true faith is left in this world.
So, when adversity crops up (and it will!), I wonder what will become of you? Will you become more spiritually attuned to God or will you turn your resentment of the situation upon others? Will you become a life-saver or a soul-crusher?
Problems often provide us with greater opportunities
Problems can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
Problems prove our integrity (1 Pt 3:15)
Problems produce a sense of dependence
Problems prepare our hearts for ministry (you become more empathetic)
As you read through this list closely, it will become clear that the author did not view problems as detrimental to faith or life. For the faithful, problems tend to strengthen the character of a person’s faith. Problems clarify what is right and wrong in the world. Problems give greater spiritual maturity. Problems often increase our willingness to empathize with others. Malcolm Muggeridge was quoted as saying, “Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.” (As printed in “Homemade”, July 1990).
The relationship between overcoming problems and spiritual maturity is noted in the Bible. For example, the author of Psalm 105 determined this as he looked back in history and viewed the life of Joseph. As part of God’s plan to save Israel, before God sent a famine to the Mediterranean world, God “sent someone to Egypt ahead” of time (Psalm 105:16). God sent Joseph, son of Jacob. Though Joseph was “sold as a slave” and reduced to a life of servitude to Pharaoh, God was working behind the scenes to mold Joseph into a true man of God. Throughout this entire period of Joseph’s life, “the Lord tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm 105:19). When the time was right, and the famine took hold; Joseph’s character and abilities were noted by Pharaoh. Joseph was not only put in charge of the king’s household from whence Joseph saved his entire family, he was given great power that was used to save thousands from starvation. Joseph’s many difficulties and problems and trials molded his faith into the perfect remedy with which to respond to an extraordinary situation.
Being a nurse, Josephine picked up on her symptoms before most would have even noticed. After a bout with the flu, she had shortness of breath. Then, a few weeks later, she began to experience sweating when she did routine work at the hospital. One morning, after just beginning her shift, she felt a severe pain in her left arm. A few other nurses attributed her arm pain to a bad night’s sleep. One suggested she probably hurt it while lifting a patient earlier when changing linen. Josephine had a feeling it was her heart. She took leave from her floor and went down to the Emergency Room. There, they found she did indeed have an arterial blockage. Sadly, they could not fix the problem with angioplasty. She required open heart surgery.
During and after her open-heart surgery, Josephine realized the importance of having someone there to help patients work through their post-operative challenges. She formed a group of heart attack and heart surgery survivors to visit patients in the hospital. They did everything from talk heart patients through upcoming rehab to helping them adjust their diet and exercise programs to compensate for the changes to the body. To date, she has received thousands of letters complementing the group’s work.
Let me tell you a little bit about Josephine. For a long time, she didn’t have time for God or prayer or worship. Her family and nursing job were everything to her. However, after experiencing all the problems with her heart and surgery and rehab, Josephine changed. She began to spend more time with her family. She began to pray and read her Bible daily. She joined a women’s bible group. And out of her great increase in empathy, she began the survivors’ group. The last time I talked to Josephine, she was a bundle of excited energy, so very hopeful about all that was happening in her life. She was nominated by two separate groups for special commendation and awards. Her greatest challenge in life so far made her not only more spiritually mature and empathetic but gave her a powerful message of hope which she shared with any who would listen.
You may think of problems in your life as terrible things to endure. Yes, they may bring difficulties and trials. Yes, those problems may cause everything from fear to worry and even the threat of death. However, adversity has a way of changing some people of faith into spiritual dynamos whose courage is an inspiration. When God wanted to greatly affect the world in the time of Israel, HE sent Joseph through trials and temptations, even testing his character. The result was a man who was in a perfect position to save the entire eastern area of the Mediterranean from a famine. Let Joseph’s adversity remind you that God will often use challenges in your life to deepen and embolden your faith. The end result will be a faith that just won’t quit!
However, be warned. Shallow Christians often do not respond in the same way to adversity. When difficulties and challenges come to some Christians, they fall apart and fall away from God. They might grow angry at God. They might become bitter and resentful. They might end up spewing their wrath and fury upon others, destroying what little true faith is left in this world.
So, when adversity crops up (and it will!), I wonder what will become of you? Will you become more spiritually attuned to God or will you turn your resentment of the situation upon others? Will you become a life-saver or a soul-crusher?