When God Conceals Impending Adversity
God often conceals impending adversity in order to prepare us in the present to face dark moments in the future.
Have you ever noticed how adversity often catches us off guard, leading us to a time of frustration with God? Spurgeon’s morning reading for today reminds us that "the idea of strangeness in our trials must be banished at once and forever, for He who is the Head of all saints knows by experience the grief which we think so peculiar.”
I imagine that most of you are like me in that every time another round of adversity starts, you are surprised and have some sense of dashed hopes. “Oh, the last round wasn’t the final round? Ok, here we go again.” (If I’m the only one who falls prey to this thinking, just tell me and I’ll stop reminding you about it.)
Jesus understands adversity because he experienced much of it. The Apostle Peter would later write that we should not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes, and this is how Jesus lived, never surprised at the next round of adversity because he knew there was always a next one.
He also knew and trusted that God is sovereign over these adversities and that they come on his timeline, not on some randomized schedule.
I have found that God often conceals impending adversity in order to prepare us in the present to face dark moments in the future. Sometimes what is to come would be unbearable for us in our present state. God knows this and conspires against our inferior intentions to lead us, sometimes even unwillingly, down the path of rest, recovery, and healing so that we are restored and resilient.
To face adversity and trials is to be expected and God delivers set amounts at set times. But he never leaves us defenceless and he often provides precursory encounters that prepare us.
What then, I wonder when I am resting, am I being prepared for during this time? Times of rest are not always periods of preparation for extraordinary adversity, so we must not succumb to fatalism or a sense of dread while we rest, but it is worth thinking about.
The thought, “What might God have next for me?” should be paired with a confidence that whatever it is, it will be worked out for my good.
That’s today’s reminder - for myself… and if you’ve been helped by it as well, that’s a bonus.
Keep going, friend.
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