Christ-follower Adversity

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

There is a reality to the trials (tests and challenges) that a Christ-follower experiences, and EVERY Christ-follower does. The Message rendition of James’ advice is that we should consider these challenges as a “gift.” Do we? CAN we? It’s definitely not easy. It seems that daily I hear of others’ plight that is way more serious than mine. I have been so blessed with how I am tolerating my treatments. 

I’m writing this on the eve of another round of chemotherapy. I will post this later in the week. Experience tells me what to expect and I don’t look forward to it. But I told God minutes after I was informed I had cancer that I wanted to model for everyone that I could, how Christ-followers handle adversity. After 21 months, this continues to be my desire. I am fully aware that if God doesn’t intervene supernaturally, I’m not going to beat this. So even ugly chemo weeks or whatever lies ahead for me gives me the chance to model Christ-follower adversity. Some times are harder than others.

However, I can honestly say that James words are true, “You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.” This has played out in so many ways since I told God of my desire. 

Opportunities to share with others have come naturally. One early example is the opportunity I had to share with a student nurse for an hour and pray for her while in the hospital for my surgery. She asked why my outlook was so different from others she had observed. What a thrill it was to tell her about Jesus and to encourage her to follow Him. I have crossed paths with numerous people with whom a dialogue about faith has emerged. How awesome that is!

Our “faith-life is forced into the open” when we face life’s challenges. In other words it “shows its true colors.” The strength of our faith is evident when there are challenges more so than when everything is going great. And the benefits we receive are becoming mature, well-developed, without deficiencies. Believe me, it is spiritually beneficial to let the challenges play out so that the benefits can be manifested in our lives.

Please let me be clear about one thing. I don’t want this to be about me. I’m only a Christ-follower facing adversity, nothing more. I know that I’m not the only person facing adversity. In fact, there are so many who are going through things much worse than me. I also know that I’m not a super-spiritual Christian who has it all together. I have a long way to go. 

What is it that YOU are going through? What are your tests and challenges? How are you handling them? Remember James 1:2-4. These words are so important in times like these. Don’t try to get out of them prematurely. Let the challenges do their work in you and in me. It’s a gift!