Isaiah 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
This passage of scripture reveals the fact that as Christians we will not only have sunny days of health, wealth, and gladness, for there are times when there comes a change in our fortunes, which call for trust in God who does all things well. Whatever occurs in our experience is as a result of our own doings or by God's permission, and sometimes it becomes necessary for us to receive a reality check, so as to be reminded of our utter dependence on God. At other times we may need to grow spiritually, and God may see fit to address certain issues in our lives by permitting adverse circumstances to come our way. His purposes in doing so should be clearly understood by all Christians, for it is always for the greater good of those who love God, without exception. Let's read:
Job 23:8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
However, it's important that we harbor the right attitude when experiencing times of adversity, for the outcome depends a whole lot on whether we will remain steadfast in trusting God's goodness, or whether we will fall into the snare of murmuring and complaining against God who has brought us safely thus far. Cheerfulness in adversity is fostered when we dwell upon the bright spots in our past experiences, as we review the history of God's dealings with us over the years, and when this is done with the right spirit, we will always clearly see where God has delivered and provided for us on numerous occasions in the past, and this in turn causes us to look forward to the future with fortitude and courage.
In the greater scheme of things, the temporal and mundane things of earth pale into insignificance when compared with the glory that is to be revealed and experienced by all the faithful, and therefore it is imperative that when going through trials and tribulations that we look beyond the here and now, to the future when God will make all things new. But while life lasts there is character building that must of necessity continue, and this will at times require dire circumstances, in order for us to grow.
We had an avocado tree in our yard which looked healthy and we looked for it to produce fruit from year to year, but it didn't. So one day a friend of mine who is a farmer came by, and I showed him the tree and explained that it had not borne any fruit as yet, to which he responded by reaching for a machete and started cutting of the branches of the tree. Was I disappointed and upset by his actions? I certainly was. Did the tree begin to produce fruit abundantly afterwards? It certainly did, and it taught us a crucial lesson in life, that in order for us to grow and produce fruit to the honor and glory of God, sometimes our many branches may have to be trimmed and pruned, a process that may not necessarily be pleasant, but which produces excellent fruit in those who are exercised thereby.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reveals the process by which we are cleansed from all unrighteousness, and enabled to produce fruit according to God's, good and perfect will. Let's read:
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!