FACING GIANTS ADVERSITY AND PROSPERITY

These two concepts sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. In the simplest of terms, adversity represents the worst life has to offer and prosperity represents the best. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). The trials and problems of life can help us become better people. However, it is also true that they can cause a great deal of harm. The same fire that can warm us on a cold night can burn us beyond recognition.

Sometimes life hits us hard, and it is not always fair. Think about Job in the Old Testament? Did he de­serve what he experienced? Read and see how much he suffered. His wife was unable to deal with the situation and told him, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). She was overcome by the giant of adversity, but not Job. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). Likewise, the devil can use various difficulties in our lives and produce heavy burdens to bear. It is so very important to trust in the faithfulness of God as He can help us be capable of bearing up under any burden we experience. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Prosperity is also a powerful giant that can get the best of us. When everything is going well and life is good it is easy to credit ourselves and forget about the true source of all our blessings (James 1:17). At the conclusion of the parable of the rich fool Jesus says, “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). We can be rich in regard to this world’s goods but poor spiritually. Prosperity can make us arrogant and lull us into a false sense of security (1 Timothy 6:17). Some have destroyed themselves simply from a desire to be rich (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Jesus knew what was important when He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

These two giants are polar opposites, yet, twin killers. How have you been doing facing these giants?
--Lamar