ADVERSITY OR GOD'S OPPORTUNITY

There are some things we cant just "displace"from our thoughts and to cope with such major traumas ,we are forced to take a big step beyond that,to deal with problems on a different,higher level.

the questions that inevitably come to my mind when i face these things or situations are :WHY?....WHY DID THIS HAPPEN ?.....WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO ME?
I really wish i had answers to all these questions..the WHY questions in my life.

when i don't get answers i tend to lose heart or try to avoid the adversity completely.it is inevitable that some problem will arise.a loved one will eventually die,serious illness,financial setback,family turmoil..maybe anything.but isnt it normal to become discouraged or depressed?but giving up ,or living in constant fear ,falls far short of the joy God intends us to have.

our lives may not always be filled with happiness.we may hurt ,mourn and grieve,yet if ther is anything to a strong walk with God,those who follow Him and love Him should be able to go through life's inevitable bad circumstances without being utterly destroyed emotionally or becoming devoid of joy.

why we fail to find any strength or joy in adversity is that we lose sight of Gods perspective.read 1 peter 4:12-13 and 5:10.we shouldn't be surprised when we go through these ordeals,after we have suffered a little while though,God will use them to perfect ,to confirm ,to strengthen,and to establish us once again.read it clearly James 1:2-4

we tend to be far more concerned about circumstances than God is .we also tend to be far less concerned about character than God is.as a result ,we would gladly accept better circumstances even though it might mean much less character growth in us.God will not settle for that,He insists that we grow to be strong .

peter 5:6 "humble yourselves therefore,under the mighty hand of God,that He may exalt you at proper time."
just as quality growth is intended to follow adversity,so a few other steps are to follow that quality growth.as we grow ,we become prepared.God is a craftsman chiseling some wood off here,filling and sanding some off there,so that pieces of wood can be prepared in beauty and be functional for future use..

then comes proper time-when God offers His perfect opportunity.

GODS ADVERSITY PROCESS
1) adversity leads to quality growth
2)quality growth leads to preparedness
3)preparedness leads to opportunity
4)opportunity leads to quantity growth
5)growth leads to productivity

1 Peter 4:12 "beloved ,do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,which comes upon you for your testing,as though some strange things were happening to you."
James 1:2 "consider it all joy ,my brethren,when you encounter various trials"

do not be depressed,frustrated or sad and discouraged.God is in control and He is working a wonderful long term plan for you.the pain experienced now will be replaced by great joy when you finally see God's result.

so that's a great picture of how we ought to face adversities -withanticipation and excitement and with an unwillingness to be defeated by them.