When questioned by his wife Job said: “Shall we indeed accept/receive good from God, and shall we not accept/receive adversity/disaster/evil?” Job 2:10
When Joseph’s brother’s treated him with cruelty instead of seeking revenge he said: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” Genesis 50:20
When the apostle Paul encountered affliction in his body He said: “A thorn was given me in the flesh, A messenger of Satan to harass me, To keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
When we are faced with grievous situations that tax us to the max we need to consider the example of the faithful “Witnesses” for “They were stoned…They were sawn in two…They were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goat, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated…and wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, were commended through their faith…” Hebrews 11:37-39
When life steals our joy and puts us to the test we need to remember the words of James, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”…Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanish.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
“You have heard of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11
When it comes to coping with life I’m sure that we would all like our lives to be free of adversity, affliction, conflict, controversy, disappointment, heartache and struggles. But I’m also sure that we all would agree that this idea for life is very childish and naïve. As the old expression or something similar states “The best laid plans/schemes of mice and men often go awry.”
The only exception to this is God’s eternal plan for saving man. God determined this plan before creation and He carried it out completely by sending Jesus into this world to be our Savior. Acts 2:22-23, 3:17-18; 1 Peter 1:13-21
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 