How to handle adversity
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| Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. —James 1:14–15
Sin always results in some form of death. Sometimes it is physical death, but usually it is more subtle. Sin causes our relationships to die. It causes our self–esteem to die. Certain sins kill ambition and discipline. All of these forms of death result in adversity to some degree.
The classic case would be the story of Adam and Eve. Their lives were free of adversity. There was no sickness, death, decay, or suffering of any kind in the Garden of Eden. There was no tension in their relationship with each other. Neither was there any conflict between them and the environment. They could not have wished for anything more. We are not sure how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. We are certain, though, about why they had to leave—sin.
After they disobeyed God by eating of the forbidden fruit, everything changed. Eve would experience pain in childbirth. There would be the potential for conflict between the man and the woman. There would even be conflict between man and his environment. To top it all off, man would have to experience death and thus live his life under the shadow of that monumental foe. Death brought with it fear, sorrow, doubt, and insecurity. All of these were the result of sin. From that moment on, life for Adam and Eve would be full of adversity—and all because of sin.
This biblical narrative does more than simply illustrate the possible connection between sin and adversity. It serves as the foundation for answering many of life’s toughest questions. It is clear from even a cursory reading of these first few chapters that God never intended for man to experience the adversity and sorrow brought about by our forefather’s sin. Death was not a part of God’s original plan for man. Death is an interruption. It is God’s enemy as well as man’s. It is the opposite of all He desired to accomplish.
Sickness and pain are certainly no friends of God. There was no sickness in the Garden of Eden. It was not a part of God’s original plan for man. The ministry of Christ bears witness to this truth. Everywhere He went He healed the sick. God shares our disdain for disease. Sickness is an intruder. It had no place in God’s world in the beginning; it will have no place in His world in the end.
Death, disease, famine, earthquakes, war—these things were not part of God’s original plan. Yet they are part of our reality. Why? Did God lose His grip? Has He abandoned us? Is He no longer a good God? No. Our reality has been fashioned by Adam’s choice to sin. And sin always results in adversity.
God’s goodness and power are not to be measured in the balance of the tragedy and adversity we experience day in and day out. If His goodness is to be questioned, let it be done in light of His original purpose as well as His ultimate plan.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” —Revelation 21:3–4It is God who will wipe away every tear. It is God who will do away with death, crying, pain, and sorrow. Why will He do these things? Because He is a good and faithful God. How can He do such things? By the strength of His might. He is the all–powerful Sovereign of the universe. Nothing is too hard for Him.
Stanley, C. F. (1989). How to handle adversity. Nashville: Oliver-Nelson.
