There is not a human who has ever lived on this planet that has not encountered adversity in some form or fashion. Adversity is a given. Christ told us that we would suffer adversity. It is up to us as to how we react to what life throws at us. Solomon has some very specific advice for resolving adversity.
We each react differently when adversities confront us. Some run and hide, others hum and whistle and, trying to ignore the situation, others pretend that it’s not really there. The fact is that adversity is real and it can adversely affect our lives and the lives of others around us. Solomon tells us to stand up and face the problem head on.
Proverbs 28:1 (NKJV) “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Solomon uses the term ‘wicked’ to describe anyone who does not prescribe to seeking wise counsel or the belief in and worship of Almighty God. He is telling us that the ‘wicked’ always attempt to run away from adversity. They run away even though no one is pursuing them. The ‘righteous’, those who are in ‘right’ standing with the Creator, fortified by their beliefs and worshipful practices, face their problems with the courage and determination of the king of the jungle, a lion.
In Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV) Solomon tells us “If you How to construct great arguments faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” When adversity rears its head it is not the time to cower or flee. It is the time to be bold. To be bold and persevere is the key to lasting success in life. Read
Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV) “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” We need not to concentrate on falling down but on getting up. To ‘rise again’ is an extremely important concept, especially for the successful Christian.
When we concentrate on the positive aspects of adversity, we see that there are two very important benefits that we gain through adversity. As a matter of fact, through the school of adversity, we learn these lessons well. The first benefit that we need to consider is that through adversity we learn patience, we develop our strength and our courage to face subsequent adversities, we develop our sense of compassion and kindness towards others, and our love, our humility and our faith grow by leaps and bounds.