Making Friends With Adversity: Part 1

Make the best use of unfavorable conditions.

Learn to consider that adversity is your friend.

Everybody knows that parents who spoil their children aren't doing their kids any favors. As Hebrews 12:6 says that God disciplines those whom He loves. Unfavorable conditions -of whatever kind- are not necessarily bad. They're an opportunity to grow! Learning to live with less has many spiritual, as well as economic, benefits. When a person begins to feel entitled to what some people call the good things in life, he or she generally experiences an ego inflation. Ego inflation results in a distancing from authentic relationship with God and other people. This, to say the least, is not a good thing.

As well, such a person becomes dependent on continued material prosperity to prop up a false notion of his or her quasi-omnipotence. On writing that sentence, I'm reminded of a recent news story of a suicidal suicidal investment advisor in Florida whose favorite photo of himself was of him surrounded by his gorgeous wife, top of the line BMW, and private airplane. Proverbs 16:18 assures us, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Throughout human history, throughout our own lives, it's often hard to really believe that after summer comes winter. Every empire believes it's eternal, but whatever is the product of time and circumstance will inevitably disperse after coming together. Winter is colder than summer, and to my mind a bit more consistently challenging. In order to sprout in the spring, seeds often must be chilled, or even frozen. But, in the words of the former nun, Monica Baldwin (1893-1975) who spent 28 years in a strictly enclosed convent, “What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest intimacy with God.”

Being buffeted -even squashed- by economic conditions does not have to be a terrible tragedy. Even if you've taken your eye off the spiritual ball, so to speak, God has a way of getting through to you. Sometimes God whispers, sometimes He shouts. There are more than a few people at Trinity Church, even, who have “lost” their house and yet have rebounded financially, but more importantly they've found their spiritual lives mysteriously enhanced. But it's not really so much of a mystery, however, is it?

How do you make adversity a friend? First of all, by not fearing it, not giving unfavorable circumstances power over you by fearing it. If you experience fear in the face of adversity, that's normal. But, considering the matter further you can recognize that what's being threatened is your desire to have things your own way, and that the situation is thereby threatening your false concepts of yourself and what you're entitled to. All of us are human beings, all of us are equal in the sight of God. When something you regard as bad happens either look to see how you've helped it come into being (like going too fast can result in an accident or a speeding ticket), or understand that you are participating in a natural process of change (like sickness, old age, earthquake, storm, or economic downturn). No one and nothing on this earth lives forever or lasts forever, even so-called bad times!

Second, recognize that through adversity you have an opportunity to grow in ways that you not have had otherwise. St. Paul in Romans 5:3-5 puts it this way, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

James 4:8: “Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you.”