Over the last series of postings, we have taken words and brought depth of understanding to words we commonly use in the body of believers. We looked at the words patience and integrity; and today we take the word adversity with the objective of discernment of its meaning and to come to terms with the causal factors and how to respond to same. What is adversity?

Adversity is the state of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune. Biblically it is God’s way of getting our attention. It includes troubles, opposition, pressure, chastening, illness, anguish, testing or tribulation. It may seem greater than our ability to resolve and comes in multiples or several trials at once. Examples of adversity: Job’s trial, the trials of the Lord Jesus Christ, both permitted by God; or the consequence of the choices we make under the influence of Satan!

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:33

And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. Deuteronomy 7:15

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

With the Lord our God, there is always a reason for and purpose to adversity. So what should be our reaction? Over the next few sessions we will deal with this. Shalom.


Pastor Afolabi Oladele