Turning Adversities into Victories
What is an adversity? The dictionary simply defines it as a misfortune or trouble. Another definition of adversity is the opposition to the good. Like for example, you did something good and in the natural you expect that a good thing be returned but sometimes the bad turns out. You were eager to lend your money to a friend hoping it could help and be returned to you, but lo and behold, your money did not make it back and you lost your friend.
If we are not careful this adversity or misfortune and trouble will take away our joys in God and misplaced our trust in others. Another example of adversity is when the unfavorable, unpleasant, and unexpected comes. I remember when I was turning 16. I was praying and expecting my mother, who worked overseas since I was 11, to return home safe and sound. I was eager and anticipating. My ‘lola’ or grandmother came by, one Sabbath day, and break the news that my mother had died.
In the natural I was filled with grief. The cheerful reunion became a sad reunion. The unexpected happened. Adversity is like that and is always an unwelcome visitor. Adversity stimulates an environment of grief. Let me say this adversity is not permanent it is temporary. Grief is temporary. Hope is permanent. When bad is returned for the good do not be discourage because the adversity of life will not last long. It will come to pass. Surely the grief had passed and I learned how to be strong in the face of adversity.
We need to develop the talent of not merely surviving but also thriving. I thank the Lord that day for allowing my mother to rest from pain and for the promise that one day she will be resurrected.
Let me encourage all of us today to stay in faith even when bad things happen. Becoming a better person in Jesus Christ is a choice we can make.
Faithfulness
We can turn adversity into victory when we stay in faith. Our spiritual strength is exercised when we stay in faith and God will see us through. Every day we can start fresh and anew. Instead of leaving the truth we must stay in the truth. Charles R. Swindoll tells of a story about master violinist Nicolo Paganini.
The opera was packed. Nicolo was performing with full orchestra. Suddenly one string snapped and hung down from his violin. He stayed focus in playing. The second string broke and then the third. Three strings dangling from his instrument. He completed the difficult composition in one string. The audience roared in Italian fashion, “Bravo! Bravo!” Paganini asked the audience to sit back. It seems impossible to have an encore but Paganini raised his instrument up for everyone to see and smiled. Paganini . . . and one string. He placed the single stringed Stradivarius beneath his chin and played the final piece. He didn’t only stay the course but played beautifully in spite of adversity. He won the admiration of the crowd. (Adapted from, Great Attitudes: 10 Choices for Success in Life, 140).
Christ victory was not found in the cathedral but in the cross. Christ’s victory is not inscribed in tablets but in his nail pierced hand. Christ’s victory was not proven in court but was proven in the empty tomb. Christ stayed the course and He won our salvation forever. We can turn adversity into victory when we stay in faith. Our strength comes from staying the course and God will see us through. Our victory is certain when we thank the Lord for the trials that come our way.
I can only imagine how an expecting mother labor in pain to deliver her child. The groaning and the crying are nothing compare to the joy and the blessing a baby brings. As Christians adversity is the labor pains of victory. When you experience sorrow, joy is about to be delivered. When you are lonely, someone is on the way to cheer you on. When you experience misfortune, prosperity is on the way. When you are in trouble, hold on, for solution is on the way. Surely when the night is over the dawn of day breaks forth. Victory comes in after overcoming defeat. There is joy after the sorrow. There is laughter after sadness. There is light after darkness.
Paul comforts us in 1 Corinthians 15:52, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” God will resurrect your hope if you stay in the faith. When our bodies will put on immortality we can all say, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” God is praised. He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Moving Forward
We can turn adversity, misfortune, or trouble into victory by not staying in the past. Letting go of the past and embracing the present is the key to victory. His name was Francis. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. He lived a very simple life of poverty. He never looked back on his past dark days but live for the Lord in the present. This was his prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Francis of Assisi died at the age of 44, a saint. Turning adversity into victory is forgetting the past and staying in the side of Jesus and moving to the direction of the good at all times.
John 9:1 tells of a nameless man and his adversity. He was born blind. The disciples asked the question, Rabbi, who do you, think committed sin this man or his parents that he was born with an adversity. It was prevalent in those days to connect sin with adversity. But Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:1-5 NASB).”
We can turn adversity, misfortune, or trouble into victory by not staying in the past. Letting go of the past and embracing the present is the key. We are not born in adversity we are born in victory. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:6).” Praise God we have two eyes & one nose, two ears & one mouth, two hands & one heart, two feet & body. Just imagine the greatness of our God. Before the world was made you were on His mind. God was thinking of your success before He created you. Let us claim the victory in Christ Jesus.
Focusing
We can turn adversity into victory when we stay focus in transforming or renewing our minds and our hearts. Paul appealed in Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God. What is good and acceptable and perfect.” Herein is the truth; we can turn the negative into positive, adversity into victory by transformation of the mind and the heart daily.
To transform or to renew is to make a better choice. Two or three people were talking against you behind your back. Let them talk. The better idea is to shake off the temptation to fight back. Do not allow their words to take root in your mind and in your heart. Transform your mind and your heart because this is victory. Your spouse carelessly said, “Stupid.” Remember to turn a deaf ear. You do not allow words to discourage you. Shake it off from your mind and your heart this is victory. You were late in church somebody is talking against you. Do not blame the kids, the traffic, or the car. Shake off the idea of blaming somebody or something.
You transform your mind and your heart to begin anew your commitment to be punctual. You lose your home, your job and spouse. But do not lose your sense of purpose, your plans, and your preparation in God.
We can turn adversity into victory when we stay focus in transforming or renewing our minds and our hearts. Stay with God and He will give you an idea where to go. He will lead you to a new livelihood. He will direct your steps to a better life. Do not allow people to steal your victory. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
We are over comers. We are not defeated when we are with God. Paul says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:37-39 NRSV).”
Forecasting
We can turn adversity into victory when we stay forecasting in our hope of Jesus Christ’s soon return. Psalms 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” We make plans but it is God who gives us victory. Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.”
Before God gives David victory over Goliath, his first adversity was the anger and jealousy of his own brother. 2 Samuel 17:28 tells us that his eldest brother Eliab was angry and said “Why have you come down? With whom have you left those sheep in the wilderness?” When we are faced with adversity we must come down from our position and leave our “sheep” in the wilderness. David shakes off the words of Eliab. David renewed his mind and his heart. He trusted in God and not in Eliab. And here is the fact, David waited for the still small voice and God spoke to David and he was a victorious man.
Every time we are in the face of discouragement “be strong and be of good courage” this is victory. Every time we are provoked to think defeat, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Every time we are tempted to leave the Lord, “stay in faith” this is victory. We can turn adversity into victory when we continue forecasting our hope of Jesus Christ’s soon return to others.
The great battlefield lay waste the lives of God’s enemies. David and his men stood their ground. He struck down his enemies the Philistines until his arm grew weary, though his hand clung to the sword, The Lord brought about a great victory that day [2 Samuel 23:10]. David clung to his sword, raised his hand, and slew Goliath. Will you clung to your faith, raised your hand and overcome the adversity?
Turn over your adversities to Jesus and He will give you victory. Do you receive Him today? Will you follow Christ? If this is your desire God be with you.