How to Handle Adversity (Difficulty)

“after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Peter 5:10).

I. Prayer

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man helps much" (James 5:16).

A.           Many people do not even pray when difficulty strikes. 

1.     They depend solely on human effort, and of course, they fail (Luke 18:1).

2.     They depend upon their own efforts.

3.     They depend upon tarot cards.

4.     They look to political correctness… POLSTERS.

B.           Prayer changes things and people. 

1.      Prayer changes the things which change people.

2.     Through prayer, we receive God's comfort and help in time of trouble (1 Thess. 5:17).

II. Promises

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises" (2 Peter 1:4).

A.           Some believers are defeated in times of difficulty because they do not appropriate God's promises to their needs.

1.     They don’t know what God has promised them.

2.     They’ve not taken the time to get to know God.

3.     They’ve not developed a sensitivity to hear God’s voice.

B.           God's promises are powerful;

1.      They never fail. 

2.     They’re never late.

3.      They can meet the deepest needs of those who believe them (1 Peter 5:7).

III.  Patience

'But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing' (James 1:4).

A.           It is difficult to be patient in times of trouble. 

1.      We become fretful and frustrated as the hardship continues.

2.     We don’t understand why we are going through the hardship.

3.     We wonder if the frustration will ever end.

B.           God has a purpose in what He allows for us. 

1.     We should look for the good in each trial, and

2.     We should wait patiently for His will to be worked out in our lives. (Rom. 8:28).

IV.     Perseverance

". . . forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth ... I press toward the mark. . ." (Phil. 3:13-14).

A.           Many give up when trouble strikes. 

1.      They blame God or other people….

2.     They blame their situation or circumstance….

3.     They blame anyone else so they don’t have to be responsible.

B.           We must be persistent, and keep working to improve difficult situations. 

1.      When you are going through HELL don’t stop.

2.     When the trial you face seems astronomical don’t give up, look up!

3.     We must have faith that God will see us through (Heb. 10:23).

V. Praise                            

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18).

A.           This command is sometimes difficult to obey.  How can one praise God in the midst of adversity?

B.                Praise the Lord, anyhow! 

1.        He loves you, He died for you,

2.        When we praise, we look for the good and not the bad.

3.        We release faith and turn away from our fear.

4.        Praise brings the victory (Ps. 113:2-3).

APPLICATION: