Dr. Stanley talked about facing
adversity which he described as sickness,
loss, grief or severe pain. He explained his thoughts about standing
strong amidst adversity by citing the life of Apostle Paul whose life in
prison made believers confident and bold
enough to preach the message of Christ,
as discussed in Phil. 1:13-15. Dr. Stanley drew some insights from Apostle Paul’s experiences, and explained
the lessons that the Apostle was
learning while going through various
forms of adversities.
Citing 2Cor. 12:7, he said Apostle Paul learned that everything “comes from God.” In this verse, the Apostle talks about suffering painful physical ailment. He interprets this as the Lord’s way of keeping him from being “puffed up.”
Apostle Paul asks the Lord that such pain be taken away (2Cor. 12:8) but God answers him saying, “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak (2Cor. 12:8).” In the succeeding verses, Paul testifies how Christ’s power has protected him, making him feel happy and content despite the adversities he has encountered. He goes on to conclude “for when I am weak then I am strong.” (2Cor.12:10). (Writer’s discussion)
Citing
such positive attitude that the Apostle showed
amidst adversities, Dr. Stanley said that
Apostle Paul “understood that God was with him in it” and that “Paul was learning the ways of God.”
Apostle Paul also learned that “adversity makes him a more effective comforter”. 2Cor. 1:3-4 says that “praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” In further explaining the verse, Dr. Stanley looked at adversity as God’s way of “equipping” us to become comforters of others.
If God is doing good for those who love Him and those whom he has called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28), and if He is an ever loving Father, why does He allow us to suffer? It’s because God has specific purpose for allowing adversities to happen, Dr. Stanley said.
He wants to draw us into an intimate relationship with him. “An intimacy that goes beyond flesh. He wants us to know Him.” Dr. Stanley said.
Building such intimate relationship, Apostle Paul learned that, indeed, he could “rejoice” despite some adversities in his life. He vividly professed rejoicing in Phil. 4:4 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord Always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Here
was a man who had been put to jail several times; often put to shame; persecuted and eventually
executed, had the spirit to rejoice. He even told the world “not to be anxious
about anything,”(Phil.4:6).
In wrapping up his preaching, Dr. Stanley told his listeners to think about a bridge leading to intimate relationship with God, when facing adversities in life. “A relationship that revolutionalizes your life; equips you to become a better servant of God.”
He ended up his preaching by leaving a phrase that prompted listeners to make a choice, “either to rebel against God or to surrender to Him,” in times of adversity.
To rejoice in this time of trouble is unimaginable. Such is beyond the thoughts of displaced individuals, of people who have lost their loved ones, their homes and their means of livelihood. But whom can we cling to and hope for miracles?
Our church, Iglesia sa Dios Espiritu Santo, has been warning us of calamitous events to happen. It has been telling its members to prepare. We can only pack few food and some belongings. What we can load up is so much faith and trust in God.
(Dr. Charles Stanley: www.InTouch.org)
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