Why is Adversity Necessary?

“Adversity is always an affirming tool when entrusted to Christ. Our response to adversity is what makes suffering valuable.” ~ Hiram Johnson

Life is full of surprises. More often than not, I am left with less time than I desire to catch up on my stack of required reading. To help adjust to this imbalance, when my husband and I lay next to each other at night before bed, we try and read a few pages together for accountability sake.

Recently, we finished the personal testimony of Hiram Johnson in a book titled Tragic Redemption. It is the story of how one night for him was turned from laughter to disaster in a split second after tragically killing one of his friends while driving. Unable to cope with the consequences of his carelessness, shame and guilt consumed Hiram so much so that he was incapable of moving from this point forward.

As a result, he turned to a life of empty solutions in order to help fill the void left in his soul after claiming responsibility for the loss of someone else’s life.

In this book, Hiram speaks in detail to the depth of his inner pain and freely asserts that nothing appeased his hollow spirit until he sought the peace found in Jesus Christ. After finishing the last chapter, I was impressed by his degree of understanding.

He revealed that as odd as it was to him at first, acknowledging that his pride is what continued to ensnare him, speaks enormously for the need and purpose of a constant humility in our everyday lives.

Paraphrasing, I’ve heard it said that the closer one gets to a perfect being, the better view one has of the imperfection found within themselves. I do believe this statement to be true. Recognizing that we are lost and incomplete without a flawless and holy redeemer is a vital step towards a full life in Christ.

The Lord declared to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Suffering yearns for reconciliation. Why not give grief the rest it so desperately seeks!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

This article is part of Jenny's ongoing contribution to LiftUpYourDay.com