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 If thou in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10)

I have known this scripture for a very long time and so many of us quote it with ease but the import of this verse will hit you once you find yourself faced real adversity that challenges you. As short as this verse looks it clearly points in an interesting way that adversity is a sure thing that will surface at some point or points in our life. Notice the “if” in the verse; if you and I faint in the day of adversity then our strength is small. This should also suggest that before the adversity era of your life appears it is expected that you should have built strength over time. I dare say that that is rarely the case.

Nobody wants to consciously prepare for adversity after all; the bible clearly assures us that surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23). The truth is that as we all go through life there are experiences that stare us in the face waiting for how we will respond to them. Some of us stand up and respond rightly while others miss the mark. There is a popular saying that no knowledge is wasted. The reason is that the fact that you do not fully understand why you are going through a hard time does not negate the fact that there exist lessons to be learned in that hard time.

I have known this scripture for many years and in recent years when my mother fell seriously ill; this was the first scripture that jumped at me. At first it was a shock because we all expect a more encouraging scripture to pull us through our challenges but for some reason the Lord sent me this one. Friend I tell you this, if you have never had some tough times you would not appreciate certain things. Adversity in life is one of the ways that God allows the strength in you to be formed on the outside. It is God that works in us to do of His good pleasure but we will also work out our salvation with fear and trembling sometimes.

If you never see a situation that pushes you beyond your usual comfort zone you may never know your endurance threshold. Everybody likes it when things run smoothly but even a little toddler will experience falls while learning to walk.  When you are in the enjoyment zone of life it is easy to declare your trust in God very easily but when you are in a state of lack or major tension that spans for months and even years; that is when the Lord can affirm your trust in Him. If you can praise the Lord in your major pain then you are truly one that trusts the Lord and can declare that you love God and that His is a just God. 

God boasted with Job and is still interested in boasting with you because He knows what He has put in you. God believes in you so do not disappoint Him or yourself. Rise up and prove God right. In everything give thanks, yes in the good and bad times. It is your attitude that determines how long you will be able to pull through. Our unwavering trust in those harsh times will eventually draw God’s attention.