Our first response to adversity should not be to try to remove it, but to allow it to reveal our true weaknesses.

What are God's purposes for allowing Adversity?

     Adversity can be our greatest motivation for spiritual growth or our deadliest means of discouragement.  The difference depends on our understanding of God's purposes in adversity.

I. Adversity is God's way of getting our attention.
· The "cares of this world" are God's stiffest competition for our time, attention, and affections.
· They choke out the Word of God and drown out the voice of His Holy Spirit.  (see Matt 13:18-23)
· While we are busy with our plans, goals, projects, and friendships, God patiently reminds us: "…I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but you hearkened not unto me" (Jeremiah 35:14)
· When adversity comes, we are suddenly faced with problems and pressures that are too big for us to resolve.  Our inner response should be, "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not  mine enemies triumph over me" (Psalm 25:1-2).
· As adversity continues and our human strength is drained, Christ's invitation becomes more and more attractive.  "Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)
· God's ultimate purpose in getting our attention is to conform us to the image of Christ.  On the basis of this purpose, all adversity works together for good.  (See Romans 8:28-29.)  Through it we learn of Christ, Who is meek and lowly and whose burden is light.
II. Adversity is our assurance that God lives us.
· "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (Hebrews 12:6-7).  "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:10-11). 
· When we recognize God's love in adversity, we are able to "…lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make stright paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be

III. Adversity is God's call for self-examination.
· "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world (I Corinthians 11:31-32).
· "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).
· God requires that we search out, confess, and forsake every sin.  "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13)
· God established the regular observance of the Lord's Table as the time and place for self-examination.  When this is neglected or abused, God may give physical adversity as a further motivation for self-examination.  "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, an drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (Corinthians 11:28-30)
· Self-examination must take place in God's Word.  For example, if things are not going well for us, the reason may be that we dishonored our parents.  "Honour thy father and mother…That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Ephesians 6:2-3).
· If it seems that evil will not depart from our household, it is possibly because we have rewarded evil to those who did good to us: "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house" (Proverb 17:13).