4 Steps to Overcoming Adversity

At some point in life, we all face adversity. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”. The difference between success and failure comes down to choice. When adversity strikes, it’s not what happens that will determine our destiny; it’s how we react to what happens.
If you drew a picture of your day, you would find that some days the line is pretty straight with few hills and curves in it. Then there are those days and sometimes weeks where all you have is curves, hills and very low valleys.
On the contrary, a dead person’s day is just one straight line all the time. Day after day, night after night, nothing changes. So it's a good thing that things aren't mundane day after day. Life means a variety of experiences - both in adversity and in prosperity.
We all like the prosperity part, but how do you handle adversity? When things get bad, do you turn tail and run? Do you break down on the side of a highway and abandon your car? Do you end up shattered upon the jagged rocks of adversity? Or do you fight? Do you face the adversity and move forward?
1. Run to Jesus
When adversity attacks, run to Jesus. Don’t shut down or isolate yourself from those who can help you. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus will not let you down. You can trust Him to get you through this turbulence.
2. Cast All Your Cares
Casting all our cares on Jesus is a spiritual step toward freedom. Scripture says, “Cast all your care on Him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Casting our cares on Jesus requires us to give our adversity to Him.
Sometimes, however, one prayer session isn’t enough. Some adversity has several dates booked on your calendar. Every time fear tries to grip you, pray, “I cast all my cares on you Lord because I know you care for me.” And say that in your heart over and over again until the burden is lifted.
3. Submit and Resist
Scripture also admonishes, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he shall flee” (James 4:7). Notice this twin advice for freedom from adversity, “Submit to God.” That means that He becomes your Commander. You release your will to Him and let His Word govern you, your actions, your situation and your entire life. You also release the outcome of the adversity to Him.
The second half of that scripture assures, “Resist the devil and he will flee.” He didn’t say ignore the devil, hide from the devil, deny the devil’s existence, or compromise with the devil. God said to resist him. You resist the devil just like Jesus did. When the devil attacked Jesus in the wilderness He said repeatedly, “Devil. It is written.” You can do the same.
4. Keep An Eternal Perspective
Joseph was able to see God’s hand in his circumstances, as evidenced with these words to his brothers, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” (Gen 45: 5-8).
God’s ways are higher than our ways. He knows and understands every detail of your life. You may never understand the “why” of your experience this side of heaven, but you can nevertheless trust a holy, sovereign and loving God.
Just as He did in Joseph’s life, He is working right now to help us overcome our adversity. You see, God isn’t just focused on “here and now”. He’s focused on our eternity with Him. And He is working all the things of our present life for the eternity we will spend with Him.

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