Adversity and affliction are common life experiences that can be difficult to bear. However, it is a good idea to view these challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. Adversity and suffering can be seen as a form of toughness training. You gain toughness and resiliency from them. You might have heard this one before: \”Strong men create good times, good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times, and hard times create strong men.\” Learn to accept the hard times. A period of learning and personal growth can come during difficult times. Think about the lessons the season is trying to teach to you.
The Bible teaches that God disciplines us. He works on us to make us better. According to the book of Malachi, \”But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner\’s fire or a launderer\’s soap\” (Malachi 3:2). It is not farfetched to deduce that God uses adversity and affliction as a means of refining us, much like a refiner\’s fire or a launderer\’s soap. There is no way passing through a refiner\’s fire will be pleasant. But it is necessary if you want to serve as the salt and light of the world.
You must be refined and purified if you want to be effective in your ability to help others. Refining and purification removes impurities and strengthens our faith, making us more useful to God and our community. There is no escaping this. You must embrace the hard times, it is God at work. He wants to teach you something. He wants to draw your attention to certain things. You will emerge from the season stronger and equipped for greater works. Rejoice and be grateful that the Lord loves you enough to take you through a process of toughness training.
