THE POSITIVE SIDE OF ADVERSITY

"In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart." - Psalm 11:1-2

Life consists of mountaintops of bliss and deep valleys of pain.  There are days when we bask in the sunshine of joy and days when we endure the dreary rain of affliction.  Often when we seek to touch the petals of a beautiful rose, the nearby thorns pierce us. 

The Christian life has never been advertised as a carefree experience.  There are pain, problems and perplexity along the way.  It is wrong to believe that living in God's will produces blessing while adversity is a reflection that we've missed the mark somehow.  The fact is that the will of God may lead us into painful experiences and great adversity.

Here in America, we've been isolated from persecution, partially due to our nation's Constitution.  Sure, we've been laughed at and experienced varying forms of isolation, but up to this point, we've not been exposed to severe persecution.  Obviously, this is changing. 

It may be difficult to grasp, but hostility and persecution are not always bad for the Church.  It may be hard to believe, but great things can still occur, even when hostility and persecution arise.  Keep in mind that God is still on His throne whether persecution comes or not.  God's promises are still sure whether the regardless of outward circumstances.

As we see our nation being destroyed, it is easy to get pessimistic.  It would be simple to get alone and wait for Jesus to come.  It would be easy to just give up hope and pray for the end to come.  Just because the enemy is destroying the foundation of our nation shouldn't cause us to believe that he is destroying the foundation of our faith.  The devil cannot destroy God's kingdom. 

With that in mind, let me point out some blessings that come during times of hostility and distress.

1.  ADVERSITY & PERSECUTION SEPARATES THE WHEAT & THE TARES

When adversity strikes, you quickly discover who is dedicated to Jesus and who is not.  When things are going well, many claim to be followers of Christ.  When the bottom falls out of the economy or the nation collapses, you can easily learn who is standing for Jesus.

Persecution has a way of separating the wheat and the tares.  False converts easily separate themselves from Christ when their necks are on the line.  They want a religion that costs them nothing.  But a religion that costs you nothing is worth nothing. 

I fear that a large percentage of "Christians" in America have never been truly born again.  When Jesus told the parable of the sower, He explained that the seed that falls into stony ground represents a person who seems to respond with joy, but "when tribulation or persecution ariseth, by and by he is offended." 

Adversity and persecution has a way of separating the wheat from the tares.  Believers are easily distinguished from those who are pretenders.

2.  ADVERSITY & PERSECUTION PURIFY THE CHURCH

Secondly, times of hostility purify the church.  Churches repent of worldliness and seek righteousness.  Churches seek unity and reconciliation.  Furthermore, believers get serious about their faith and seek God in prayer.  Hostility has a way of purifying the hearts of believers.

3.  ADVERSITY & PERSECUTION OFTEN LEADS TO REVIVAL

Often revival breaks out during challenging times.  Do you know that revival is currently going on in countries where the Gospel is forbidden?  In America, many believers are praying for revival, but if God chooses to bless us with revival, it will probably come during hostile times. 

4.  ADVERSITY & PERSECUTION HELPS US GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT

Times of hostility cause believers to get their priorities right.  Idols are eliminated.  The things of God are emphasized.  Focus is sharpened.  Christ is worshiped and praised.  Adversity has a way of waking us up --- and that is needed in America.

5.  ADVERSITY & PERSECUTION INCREASES OUR DESIRE FOR HEAVEN

Finally, times of adversity remind us that this world is not our home.  When hostility arises, we are reminded that our home is in a better place.  We tend to have a longing for heaven when this earth loses its appeal to us.  Paul challenged us to place our affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  When persecution arises, heaven is more than a subject in a song --- it becomes personal and real.  We get a passion for heaven when we realize we don't belong on this earth.

It is unclear whether persecution in America will advance to the point of spiritual genocide or not.  Whether it does or not, Christians need to focus on the fact that the best is yet to come.  In the meantime, we are not to just "hold the fort," but fulfill the Great Commission that our Master has given us.  Fulfilling the Great Commission may increase the level of persecution we face, but our goal is to please God, not the world.