Growth through adversity

Where would the cross be, and where the fight? asks Maxwell Ryan

One of the most pervasive heresies - and one which continues to seduce countless Christians from the true faith - is the false belief that becoming a child of God through the new birth leads to a pain-free life of ease where success is assured and every plan is blessed abundantly. Though even a cursory reading of the Bible shows this is not true the dangerous fiction still remains.

How many new Christians there are who think God has abandoned them when the first wind of adversity blows across their tender spiritual sensibilities. They swallowed the line that as Christians they would be protected from trials that are the common lot of humanity.

Such people have their personal expectations rooted in this world’s agenda instead of in the biblical perspective, which is to sit loose to this world and its philosophies. Their values, hopes, dreams and reason for being are linked more to this world’s transient glory than to the satisfying joy of Christlikeness. Because of this many Christians live with a sense of failure as well as an inability to accept adversity as God’s major means of pushing them to spiritual maturity.

An early Salvationist songwriter got to the heart of the matter when she wrote:

If all were easy, if all were bright,

Where would the cross be, and where the fight?

But in the hardness, God gives to you,

Chances of proving that you are true.

Tough times separate the true believers from those who are attracted by the glitz and glamour which is associated with some branches of the Christian faith, as well as what they perceive to be the personal advantage to be had by espousing a faith which promises and easy way to Heaven, the biggest jackpot of all.

For the Christian there certainly is joy and happiness, as well as times of uplifting praise, but such occasions are not when the most dramatic spiritual growth takes place. Maturity in the Lord comes only when the believer holds to faith in the goodness of God, the saving power of the Lord and the continual indwelling of the Holy Spirit, even when disappointment clouds the horizon and bitterness of soul threatens to overwhelm.

Another early Army songwriter, Susie Swift, wrote out o persona anguish of spirit the words below which point the way to a healing attitude of life:

Mine to smile in face of failure,

Thine to gladden my defeat;

Mine to kneel and drink of Marah,

Thine to make its waters sweet.

In joy or sorrow, with dreams realized or ruined, during victory or defeat God does not change. His mercies and His love are eternal and they are poured out on those who have chosen to be His children.

Writer: Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Ryan is a former Editor in Chief in Canada and the UK. In retirement has been a copy editor of theRubicon and the author of two series on theRubicon - Resurrected Writers and Thinkaloud

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