ADVERSITY AND STRENGTH

There is no greater way to test our strength than the test of adversity. Adversity puts us in a situation, where it will reveal, who we are, what is our capacity, and how strong is the core of our strength. That is why the Bible says…
– “10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” – Proverbs 24:10

Christian walk, and our capacity to face adversity is, much the same like an athlete. An athlete is expected to have strength and stamina to participate in his chosen field of sports and games. An athlete without strength and stamina is no athlete at all. At best we can call him a pretender or a dreamer. Same is the case with a Christian. A Christian ought to have certain traits that will distinguish him as a Christian. Of the many traits, one is his strength to face adversity, and his ability to withstand all what adversity throws at him.

The strength that the Word of God talks about, covers a wide range of dimensions in a Christian’s life. It covers moral, ethical, spiritual, mental, physical and emotional dimensions. These traits, when tested during adversity will reveal how strong we are, and how strong our strength is.

Strength and the stamina of an athlete depends upon certain things.
– An athlete builds his capacity by having a certain clear and measurable routine.
– Routine requires discipline and dedication.
– An athlete does not become an achiever overnight. It takes, usually a long period of time, and a focused and sustained effort.
– All his preparations are on one side, and his ability to apply all what he had trained for, over the years, for the event, on the actual event day, is an entirely different thing. An athlete’s success is just as much depended on his preparation, as much as it is on, how he applies, all what he had trained for, on the actual evet day.

The quality of an athlete’s strength is determined by how he handles pressure, tension, stress and focus single-mindedly on the event day, and in all his preparatory efforts into it. Only when all his preparatory efforts, and his focussed application of the same, is combined together as, one single entity, on the event day, the athlete comes out victorious. The same applies to a Christian.
– “24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
– “16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.” – Philippians 2:16

How can we as a Christian build our capacity and become strong in our walk with the LORD? Inculcate a disciplined habit of reading the Bible, praying everyday and living out our faith, with earnestness and seriousness, all what our Master asked us to.
– “5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” – Proverbs 3:5-8

May the LORD help us, to live a strong and purposeful life for His glory, for the benefit of His kingdom, and for the blessing of His people. Even so the LORD help us.