Adversity (n.): 1. Great hardship or affliction; misfortune. 2. A calamitous event (The American Heritage Dictionary, pg. 13).
We have all been there at some point in our lives. Those moments in which we live what seems to be an inescapable nightmare where the image of what was once our “happy” life is now replaced by the marred image of sorrow and woes. It is in these turbulent times when, arguably, the most commonly asked question appears at the forefront of our minds: Why? There are those who are of the opinion that it is not advisable to allow this question to creep into our minds since all it does is add to our desperation. It is their belief that it only makes the sorrow deeper since in that trying moment it cannot be answered. It is, they say, very similar to a black hole that sucks everything in, but does not allow anything out. However, the wisest man to have ever lived on our earth would greatly disagree. King Solomon, in his Hebrew poem of Ecclesiastes, makes a strong argument that this is the best time to meditate upon this question (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4). Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, Solomon makes the important revelation that “God has appointed the one as well as the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14). He began this part of his poem by illustrating as an example one of the most (if not the most) difficult times in anyone’s life; death of a loved one. Solomon reflects on how, in this moment of profound pain, it becomes adequate for man to meditate. The king helps guide his readers to the comprehension that in the “house of mourning” man is more self-aware and should take advantage of the opportunity. It becomes easy to forget that life under the sun is temporary. Hence, why the king states that it is necessary for man to have those aching moments. Witnessing the death of a loved one is an important reminder that death “is the end of all men” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). To begin to understand the necessity of grief in the lives of men, Solomon recognizes that it is God who allows birth and death to take place under the sun. The significance of this recognition is that man has no control over neither one of these events. This is truly important to understand and accept because what Solomon seeks to make his readers understand is that we are not Divine. In our human form, we have no power to prevent life or death; rather, that is an exclusive power that belongs to the mighty God. The answer to this feared question must begin with our acknowledgment that God has allowed the calamity to take place, therefore there is wisdom behind it. When we allow this thought to dominate our emotions, peace begins to settle in if we truly trust in the Lord completely. Having arrived to this principal, the question’s answer begins to take form. The preliminary answer to “why” is because God has allowed it to happen. The next step is to stop and consider that there is a lesson to be learned from the anguish. As an example, let us observe the purpose behind Jehovah God guiding Israel around in circles before they were allowed to enter the promised land:
“2And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Moses begins his instructions to the second generation of Israelites by reminding them that it was the Lord’s decision to have them walk the wilderness for forty years. Observe how the beginning of this explanation prompts Moses’ audience to understand that this was not by accident. There was an important purpose for this calamity. He continues his explanation by illustrating the results of the adversity by confirming that they had learned humility from the experience. Again, this is the second generation Moses is speaking to since the first one was not allowed entrance due to their rebelliousness and unbelief (Hebrews 3:15-19). During these times of peril, the people of Israel gained the wisdom their fathers had despised. They were able to solidify their faith in Jehovah God because His power was able to manifest itself during their time of need in the wilderness. As Moses puts it, they learned to depend more on the Creator and not so much on that which is created. Solomon repeats this thought by stating, “in the day of adversity consider” (Ecclesiastes 7:14a). The Hebrew word used by Solomon is râ’âh, and it means “to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider” (Thayer, H7200). Like the people who had been freed from Egyptian bonds were admonished to perceive the Divine wisdom behind their adversity, we are to do the same. In doing so, we will strengthen our reliance upon God and be witnesses of His awesome power manifested in our lives. Have you ever considered why Jesus allowed His friend to perish (John 11:6)? The apostle John, making memory of this event, explains the reason for the Master’s decision was to fortify their faith in Him (John 11:11-15). During the persecution of our brethren in the first century, the apostle Peter consoled the Christians by saying “rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1st Peter 4:12-19). It becomes noticeable that all four minds reach the exact same conclusion; the trials we live here under the sun are allowed for three primary reasons. First, so that God may be glorified by and in us during the times of peril (1st Corinthians 1:26-31). Secondly, because our faith in God becomes mightier during those “fiery trials” if we rely upon Him (2nd Corinthians 12:7-10). The third and final reason this is allowed is best explained by Solomon, “So that man can find out nothing that will come after him” (Ecclesiastes 7:14b). In other words, it is meant to prepare us for life over the sun; eternity. If our lives on earth were always joyous, absent of sorrow, we would have nothing to look forward to. God’s promise of eternal life in heaven would become hollow because this life would already be our heaven. However, God in His omniscience permits our earthly joy to be temporary as a way of motivating His children to yearn for a better, permanent life. King Solomon fully comprehended that our God allows His creation to have only a small taste of the glorious joy that will be enjoyed eternally with Him. Our Lord and Savior, teaches us this same thought process by warning us “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Therefore, we are allowed to have these moments when we are most self-aware so we may learn how to adequately find the blessing in disguise from within our agony.