THE REFINING

BLESSINGS OF
ADVERSITY
“Count it pure joy whenever you
face trials of many kinds . . .
James 1: 2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you
fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing
(James 1:2-4, NKJV)
Adversities/trials come in
various SSS (styles, sizes,
shapes)
 Apathy
 Betrayal/deceptions
 Discouraging circumstances
 Delays
 Physical infirmities
 Anxiety/fear
 Unwanted events
 Etc.
The nature of man is detest/hate
adversity. But God’s view is altogether
different.
• Life never was intended to be easy. Rather, it is a period of proving
& growth. It is interwoven with difficulties, challenges, & burdens…
yet these very forces, if squarely faced, provide opportunity for
tremendous personal growth and development.

• After the crucifixion & resurrection of Jesus, Christianity made rapid

gains in Jerusalem. Then disaster struck: Stephen was stoned to
death; Christians were scattered to Judea & Samaria.
End of the Church? NO! This proved to be its Great Beginning.

• Shakespeare writes “Sweet is the uses of adversity.” Persecution

became the catalyst of Jesus’ Great Commission.

* Persecution jolted the apostles out of their comfort zone & sent them
out to witness in their hiding places. It was God’s way of fulfilling
Jesus’ prophesy.
Many in today’s generation have not fully known nor
appreciated the refining blessings of adversity.

Adversity is a painful experience,

but by God's grace it is possible for
great good to come from such experiences.

Don't give up! Don't hate the refiner's fire.

Trust God during the dark days and He will guide you
through to a better tomorrow
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity
 Jesus knew that adversity is on the
outside of a person. An individual’s
attitude determines whether one
chooses to become bitter or better
from it.
Ask the Lord to improve your
ability to handle adversity with a
better attitude.
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity

 Jesus knew that adversity often

allows one to demonstrate courage.

Ask the Lord to help you respond

with
great courage to hardships.
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity

 Jesus knew that adversity often

exposes our weaknesses.

Ask the Lord show you your weakness so

you can learn ways to grow in Christ.
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity
 Jesus knew that adversity comes to
everyone, but God provides a way to
overcome them.

Ask the Lord to help you choose the way

out of trials rather than allowing it to
conquer you.
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity
 Jesus knew that adversity
overwhelms people because they
do not utilize the power of prayer.

Ask the Lord to help you utilize the full

power, privileges, and processes of praye
to overcome your adversity.
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity
 Jesus knew that adversity is often
a
part of God’s plan to help us grow
in
Ask the Lord for willingness to let Him
Christ-likeness.
do whatever He wants to bring you
more into conformity with Christ.
 Refining Blessings
of Adversity
Jesus knew that adversity could
bring
People to see the greater works of
God.
Sometimes God allows adversity for
Ask the Lord to allow you to believe,
His purposes which we are not to
perceive
question. and understand more of
the greater things God will do
through all types of adversity.
 In life we all have our times of
testing and growth.
 These trials are necessary.
 They are growth experiences.
 Although these were times of
deep anguish and suffering, they
are also times of drawing near to
God.
 The suffering of the Savior in
Gethemesane was without
question the greatest that has
ever come to mankind, yet out
of it came the greatest blessing
in the
promised eternal life.
A Carrot, An Egg,
A Cup of Coffee?
 Carrot, Egg, Coffee

The carrot seems strong, but under trial wilts.

The egg seems fairly formidable but under trial

becomes very hard in the inside; still looks
the same from the outside, but its inside is stiff.

But the coffee bean is altogether different.

It changes the hot water. The very circumstance
that brings the pain is changed into something
that changes the environment.
Am I living my life that way?

Which of the three are you?

May you. . .In Christ!
 elevate yourself above the dark
hours
 have enough happiness to make
you sweet
 have enough trials to make you
strong
 have enough sorrow to make you
human
 have enough hope to make you
happy
The happiest of people
 don’t have the best of everything
 make the best of everything that
comes their way
 builds their future on hope, not
from past failures