Adversity

All of us encounter trouble

• Job 5:7 HCSB But mankind is born for trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.

Life is full of trouble.

• Job 14:1 HCSB Man born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.

Because of sin, even childbirth, which should be a joyful occasion, can be painful and dangerous.

• Genesis 3:16 HCSB He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children in anguish. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will dominate you.

Why does God allows adversity?

1. It brings glory to God.

• John 9:1-3 HCSB As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples questioned Him: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's works might be displayed in him.
• John 11:1-4 HCSB Now a man was sick, Lazarus, from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to Him: "Lord, the one You love is sick." 4 When Jesus heard it, He said, "This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
• John 21:19 HCSB He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, "Follow Me!"

2. It develops humility.

• Deuteronomy 8:16 HCSB He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.

3. It may be discipline by God.

• 1 Corinthians 11:32 HCSB but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
• Hebrews 12:5 HCSB And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him;

4. It drives us to God’s Word.

• Psalms 119:71 HCSB It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.

5. It keeps us from straying from God.

• Ezekiel 14:11 HCSB in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from following Me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Then they will be My people and I will be their God." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.
• 1 Peter 5:10 HCSB Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.

6. It makes us more fruitful.

• John 15:2 HCSB Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.

7. It prevents pride.

• 2 Corinthians 12:7 HCSB especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.

8. It produces glory in us.

• 2 Corinthians 4:17 HCSB For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

9. It proves our character.

• Deuteronomy 8:2 HCSB Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.

10. It purifies us.

• Psalms 66:10 HCSB For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined.
• Isaiah 1:25 HCSB I will turn My hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.

11. It tests our faith.

• 1 Peter 1:7 HCSB so that the genuineness of your faith--more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When you’re in trouble Ask God to arise and rescue you.

• Psalms 3:7 HCSB Rise up, LORD! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked.
• Psalms 17:13 HCSB Rise up, LORD! Confront him; bring him down. With Your sword, save me from the wicked.
• Psalms 40:13 HCSB LORD, be pleased to deliver me; hurry to help me, LORD.
• Psalms 71:4 HCSB Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive.
• Psalms 119:134 HCSB Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep Your precepts.
• Psalms 120:2 HCSB "LORD, deliver me from lying lips and a deceitful tongue."

Ask Him to be merciful to you.

• Psalms 25:16 HCSB Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am alone and afflicted.
• Isaiah 33:2 HCSB LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning, and our salvation in time of trouble.

Plead with Him to not abandon you.

• Psalms 35:22 HCSB You saw it, LORD; do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me.
• Psalms 71:9 HCSB Don't discard me in my old age: as my strength fails, do not abandon me.
• Jeremiah 17:17 HCSB Don't become a terror to me. You are my refuge in the day of disaster.

Ask Him to not ignore your cry for help.

• Psalms 35:17, 22 HCSB Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my very life from the young lions…You saw it, LORD; do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me.
• Psalms 55:1 HCSB For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic Maskil. God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore my plea for help.
• Psalms 83:1 HCSB A song. A psalm of Asaph. God, do not keep silent. Do not be deaf, God; do not be idle.
• Psalms 109:1 HCSB For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. God of my praise, do not be silent.

Ask Him to not punish you anymore.

• Psalms 39:10 HCSB Remove Your torment from me; I fade away because of the force of Your hand.

Request that He not remember your sins anymore.

• Isaiah 64:9 HCSB LORD, do not be terribly angry or remember our iniquity forever. Please look--all of us are Your people!

Take encouragement from His word.

• Psalms 119:26-28 HCSB I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. 27 Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders. 28 I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word.

It is all right to ask “How long will You forget me?”

• Psalms 13:1 HCSB For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. LORD, how long will You continually forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me?

Go to God for protection.

• Psalms 7:1 HCSB A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. LORD my God, I seek refuge in You; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,

Let the Lord’s unfailing love comfort you.

• Psalms 119:76 HCSB May Your faithful love comfort me, as You promised Your servant.

Ask Him to make His face to shine upon you.

• Psalms 80:3 HCSB Restore us, God; look on us with favor, and we will be saved.

It’s all right to ask Him to hurry up and help you.

• Psalms 71:12 HCSB God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me.

Ask for protection from the plots of the wicked.

• Psalms 64:2 HCSB Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of evildoers,
• Psalms 119:154 HCSB Defend my cause, and redeem me; give me life, as You promised.
• Psalms 140:1 HCSB For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. Rescue me, LORD, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men

Ask for restoration.

• Psalms 71:20-21 HCSB You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but You will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
• Psalms 119:107 HCSB I am severely afflicted; LORD, give me life through Your word.

Ask Him to rise to your defense.

• Psalms 35:23 HCSB Wake up and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my LORD!
• Psalms 43:1 HCSB Vindicate me, God, and defend my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from the deceitful and unjust man.

Ask the Lord to save you from your enemies.

• Psalms 9:13-14 HCSB Be gracious to me, LORD; consider my affliction at the hands of those who hate me. Lift me up from the gates of death, 14 so that I may declare all Your praises. I will rejoice in Your salvation within the gates of Daughter Zion.
• Psalms 17:14 HCSB With Your hand, LORD, save me from men, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what You have in store, their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children.
• Psalms 71:2 HCSB In Your justice, rescue and deliver me; listen closely to me and save me.

Plead with Him to snatch you from the jaws of death.

• Psalms 9:13 HCSB Be gracious to me, LORD; consider my affliction at the hands of those who hate me. Lift me up from the gates of death,

Ask Him to surround you with His tender mercies.

• Psalms 119:77 HCSB May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight.

Promises to Claim

Adversity builds endurance

• Romans 5:3-4 HCSB And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Cast all your anxiety on God

• Psalms 55:22 HCSB Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
• 1 Peter 5:7 HCSB casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.

Christ gives us rest.

• Matthew 11:28 HCSB "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Christ helps us in temptation.

• Hebrews 2:18 HCSB For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.

Count it all joy

• James 1:2-4 HCSB Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Do not be discouraged if God disciplines you.

• Proverbs 3:11-12 HCSB Do not despise the LORD's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; 12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.
• Hebrews 12:5-6 HCSB And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives.

Do not be dismayed.

• Isaiah 41:10 HCSB Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

Do not be troubled, trust Christ.

• John 14:1 HCSB "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.

Do not worry, Lord will fight for you.

• Exodus 14:13-14 HCSB But Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD's salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet."

Go boldly to the throne of grace.

• Hebrews 4:16 HCSB Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

God brings consolation

• Lamentations 3:32 HCSB Even if He causes suffering, He will show compassion according to His abundant, faithful love.

God brings good out of evil.

• Genesis 50:20 HCSB You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result--the survival of many people.
• Romans 8:28 HCSB We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
• Philippians 1:12 HCSB Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advancement of the gospel,

God encourages us.

• 2 Corinthians 7:6 HCSB But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

God give rest to the weary.

• Jeremiah 31:25 HCSB for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak."

God heals the brokenhearted.

• Psalms 147:3 HCSB He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

God helps in times of trouble.

• Psalms 46:1 HCSB For the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

God is our refuge.

• Deuteronomy 33:27 HCSB The God of old is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, and commands, "Destroy!"
• Psalms 9:9 HCSB The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

God is our shepherd

• Psalms 23:1 HCSB A Davidic psalm. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

God of all comfort helps us

• 2 Corinthians 1:3, 7 HCSB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort…And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort.

God preserves us

• Psalms 138:7 HCSB If I walk in the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me.

God strengthens the weak

• Isaiah 40:29 HCSB He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.

God turns mourning into joy

• Jeremiah 31:13 HCSB Then the virgin will rejoice with dancing, while young and old men rejoice together. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.

God will never forsake you

• Hebrews 13:5 HCSB Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

God’s strength makes up for our weakness

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 HCSB But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.

Holy Spirit (called the Comforter) helps us

• John 14:16-17 HCSB And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn't see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.

Lord is our helper.

• Hebrews 13:6 HCSB Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Present troubles insignificant in view of future glory.

• 2 Corinthians 4:17 HCSB For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

Pressed, but not crushed.

• 2 Corinthians 4:8 HCSB We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;

Share in Christ’s sufferings.

• Romans 8:17 HCSB and if children, also heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ--seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Suffering can be good for you.

• Psalms 119:71 HCSB It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.

Take courage.

• James 5:8 HCSB You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near.

Trials test our faith.

• 1 Peter 1:6-7 HCSB You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith--more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Trust Christ, your high priest.

• Hebrews 4:15 HCSB For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Trust God in times of trouble.

• Psalms 50:15 HCSB Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me."

We will not drown in deep rivers.

• Isaiah 43:2 HCSB I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.