Adversity is a common theme in the scriptures.
Jesus taught “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
James declared “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11)
Paul proclaimed “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” (Romans 5:3)
Paul further described his trials.
2 Corinthians 11
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
[30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
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Over the years, I have struggled with and against my own set of tribulations. I have fallen vastly short of the heroic examples set by Job and Paul in patiently enduring adversity.
I have experience prolonged rumination over my own trials, especially those resulting from negative encounters with authority figures.
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As Christians, we often pray to our Heavenly Father that He will deliver us from adversity. There is merit in these prayers.
But perhaps we should pray instead that the Lord will help us understand the purpose of our tribulation.
We should ask ourselves “What is the lesson to be learned from this vexing experience?”
When we understand and accept the purpose, then the trial may depart from us. But even if the adversity persists, we will at least have peace.
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The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
– William Arthur Ward
Our petitions to the Lord should be for guidance in adjusting our sails.
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My wife and I recently completed a course for depression based on a program developed by Dr. Neil Nedley.
Dr. Nedley is both an M.D. and a devout Christian.
Yes, I firmly believe we should all exercise, eat properly, study scriptures, and follow the other steps which Dr. Nedley has wisely taught.
We should all try our best to lead happy and healthy lifestyles.
But I also believe that rumination can serve a useful purpose.
My own rumination has sharpened my mind and help me to define and develop my own value system.
I am beginning to be grateful for the painful experiences that I have had.
I would never have chosen these experiences, but I must have needed them in some way.
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Aristotle taught in the fourth century B.C. “that all men who have attained excellence in philosophy, in poetry, in art and in politics, even Socrates and Plato, had a melancholic habitus; indeed some suffered even from melancholic disease.”
Jesus Christ himself was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3)
He lamented:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37).