Faith in the midst of adversity is a skill every believer should master! I have heard it preached that faith is the response of the human spirit to the word of God. How true this is! Everyone has a fair share of adversity in life, but how we respond to adverse situations is what determines the next phase of life that we experience. Some come out alive, and others simply never make it out.
We have to respond correctly in order to enjoy life. Your response and mine should be that of faith. It’s easy not to respond out of faith but due to how you have been raised from a young age. Some are so used to hard life that their perspective of life is from that of hard experiences.
The problem with this is that, even when God does something good for you, you will never really see it. And hence you may never be grateful for anything. Our response to situations is in multiple parts. How we think, talk, pray, and act. These things will always affect faith at one point or the other.
Is it possible to exercise faith in the midst of adversity?
We have to respond well in our mind, speech, and actions with a response from God’s perspective, not from our experiences, or the negativity going on around us. I am reminded of a part in the bible which says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think on these things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.…”Phillipains 4:8-9 BSB. Here’s a question to think about, “what is your response during COVID – 19 pandemic?” Are you panicking? Are you fearful? Have you given up on life? Are you angry or depressed because of the lockdown?
I am not sure what your response may be right now, but one thing you have to make sure to do is to respond correctly in a way that refuels your Faith. In a way that does not rob you of your joy and happiness, but keeps you going forward with renewed vision. It is very easy for the human disposition to wallow, cry, complain, give up, and just not do anything about the situation at hand. Whether the situation is in your family, financials, marriage, your health, or career.
What you need to do is to stand firm in what God has said of you. To walk by faith and not by sight. The moment you continue to think negatively, cry, give up, and move in those cycles over and over again, you are not walking by faith, but by sight. In other words, you are not responding correctly to what God has said in His word.
Hence, your prayer becomes wrong, your actions wrong, your speech wrong, and your mind is totally wrong. But with good practice, this can be changed, however. This is why it is so important to know Jesus Christ for yourself and to believe in Him 100%. Without this you will drown in that situation and never come out, or never really heal from the past hurts that you experienced. This is how many end up depressed.
Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV. Jesus gives peace like no other. God’s word refuels your faith each time when you respond to a situation using it. Instead of giving up, crying, always complaining or feeding yourself with negative news.
For example during COVID-19, shift your focus and read God’s word, remind yourself always of what He says, and before you know it, you will be out. The word of God will get you out because it is that powerful. Hebrews 4:12, KJV: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
“Your response today will determine your outcome tomorrow. It’s time to break out of certain kinds of thoughts, words, actions, and prayers. To live life the way God desires it for you. A good life!
