Producing Our Truest Self

Is all adversity and opposition in this life from God? No! A resounding No! There is adversity in our own hearts. There is adversity in the hearts of others. There is adversity in this world. And there is one so adverse that he merited the title “Adversary”. Adversity comes through many sources. The key to passing through adversity, is knowing whom to interact with. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,” Romans 8:28. Another translations says it this way, “…God works all things together for good…” and yet another, “…God works in all things for the good…” I prefer the latter one. Not all of the adversity is from God. Nevertheless, God, our Comrade, our Companion, is working in the midst of the adversity to produce goodness.

Right in the center of all situations, at all times, our Friend is identifying Himself with our condition and gracing us with the abilities needed to overcome and succeed. He is fighting for our welfare and the production of our truest self.

When we are surrounded by opposition, it can be difficult to determine if it is from friend or foe. If it is to harm or help us. If it is wreaking havoc or producing gold. The opposition of friends and enemies can often feel the same… .but they have totally different results. I would suggest simply, that determining the source of opposition can be overwhelming at times. It can become altogether too complicated and too exhausting. Trying to decide whether God sent the difficulty to refine us or whether the Adversary sent it to destroy can leave us with drawing all sorts of possible conclusions. The best way to pass through adversity, is to interact only with your God. The Friend that wants your success and loves you at all times. You can always trust that His heart is seeking out the highest good for you in this and every situation. Follow His lead through it. Hear only His words when surrounded. Lean this way.

In any case, if you interact with your Friend, you will come out of the adversity with a clearer production of your truest self. This will be the result. Even when the adversity is from the Adversary. Not because you determined the source… .but because you went to the Source of Friendship.