Adversity: Don’t turn it down, just turn it around
Scripture reading: Matthew 26:35 and 69-75. Text: “I (Apostle Paul) can do everything through him (Jesus Christ) who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. From our Scripture reading we learn how Apostle Peter had denied Christ in spite of his definite promise: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” 35 verse. In contrast to Apostle Peter’s failure, there is the encouraging statement from Apostle Paul: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” See our text. Knowing the weaknesses of Apostles Peter and Paul and also that both of them had suffered martyrdom, the negative and positive aspects of their earthly lives so truly reflect our failures and successes.
“SIMON … WHEN YOU HAVE TURNED BACK, STRENGTHEN YOUR BROTHERS.” Luke 22:31-32.
The need and significance of strengthening the faithful are important:
– Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, … “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.” Acts of Apostles 14:22.
– “I (Paul) long to see you (Christians in Rome) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – …” Romans 1:11.
– “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” wrote Apostle Paul. 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
WHEN WILL WE REACH THAT GIVEN POINT – THE FOUR VITAL POINTS THAT AFFECT EACH OF US:
THE BREAKING POINT. Any material subjected to increasing stress or pressure will eventually break. The point where a given material cannot withstand the stress anymore is the breaking point. Christ said to the disciples: “… When he (Jesus) had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ . . . When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” Luke 5:4-7.
THE TURNING POINT. One may reach that crucial situation when change has to take place and proceed in a different direction. “… The people (the natives on the island of Malta) expected him (that is Apostle Paul who was bitten by a snake) to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” Acts 28:6.
THE MELTING POINT. When you heat butter or chocolate it will melt at a given temperature and change its state from solid to liquid. Does a heated discussion raise your temper and blood pressure? Do hotheaded people do silly things while being angry and upset? From physics we know that pressure creates heat, and how many of us can remain “cool” while being unjustly ridiculed, blamed, irritated and agitated?
THE SATURATING POINT. A piece of paper towel can absorb only so much water, and the housewife knows when to squeeze the mop as she cleans the floor. Businessmen can tell the closer the market is to saturation, the harder it is to sell more products.
We are also constantly exposed and subjected to physical, mental and spiritual pressures and the question is: what are our breaking, turning, melting and saturating points?
However, this has two sides! On one hand, it would be wonderful if everybody would offer his/her heart to Christ without hesitation and delay, turn to God, be born again, and live a clean, happy and fruitful life. But, on the other hand, the very same person is expected to resist the temptations, remain faithful under pressure and not change his/her conviction in distress.
Please look into yourself and try to analyze objectively your thoughts, wishes and emotions, as well as your endurance, perseverance and faithfulness. Will you pass this test? What will be your answer?
– How soon will you break down under pressure, temptation and difficulties?
– When will you reach that point where you will turn around and change your life?
– Do revenge, retaliation, grudge fuel the anger within you? When will you melt down?
– When will you say: “NO MORE?” because the world intends to saturate your whole being with unholy desires leaving no room for faith, love and forgiveness?
Now we can say with Apostle Paul, “I can do everything through him (Jesus) who gives me strength.”
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.