Maintain the Right View of Adversity

1-2. What do we need to do in order to deal with our adversities successfully? (See also picture.)

ARE you currently facing injustice, family opposition, or persecution because of your faith? Are you enduring poor health or the effects of old age? Or are you dealing with a tragedy, perhaps the loss of a loved one? Like so many of Jehovah’s precious sheep, you may have a life “filled with trouble and sorrow.”​—Ps. 90:10.

² To deal with our adversities successfully, we must view them correctly. What does this involve? We can illustrate it this way: The problems you face in life are like the hazards you may come across while driving a car. Depending on the hazard, you might steer left or right, slow down, or temporarily stop. To take appropriate action, though, you must see the hazard clearly. You cannot see it if your windows are obscured by snow or mud. Similarly, to deal with our adversities successfully, we need to see them as Jehovah does. In this article, we will consider (1) the right way to view our adversities, (2) how a wrong view of our situation can harm us, and (3) some steps we can take to maintain the right view when adversity strikes.

THE RIGHT VIEW OF ADVERSITY

3. What must we accept about life in this wicked system?

³ Adversities are unavoidable in this wicked system. As long as we are imperfect and Satan rules the world, adversities will affect us. Further, as this system nears its end, we will face even more problems, whether from natural or man-made catastrophes or from people who do wicked things. (Matt. 24:8; 2 Tim. 3:13) If Jehovah were to fix all such problems now, it could seem as though he were helping Satan to run this world. In this system, we cannot help but be affected by “calamity.”​—Eccl. 9:12, ftn.

4. What additional hardships do Christians face?

⁴ Christians face added hardships. Jesus often told his disciples that they would be persecuted for their faith. (Matt. 24:9; John 16:2) Knowing this helps us avoid having our faith shaken by such tribulations. (1 Thess. 3:3, 4) When we endure trials because we have strong faith, we can be sure that we are still on the road leading to everlasting life. In addition, we show what side we are on in the great issue, the one between Jehovah and Satan. As part of his attack on God’s name, Satan claims that humans serve God only for selfish reasons. To try to prove his point, he targets Jehovah’s people with intense attacks. (Job 1:9-11) When we endure because of our love for Jehovah, we make him rejoice.​—Prov. 27:11.

5. What can we learn from Ecclesiastes 7:13, 14? (See also pictures.)

⁵ Jehovah allows adversity. Jehovah never acts wickedly or tests us with evil things. (Jas. 1:13) However, King Solomon wrote that “the day of adversity” is “the work of the true God.” (Read Ecclesiastes 7:13, 14.) As is often the case, the Bible here refers to Jehovah as doing something when he is in fact merely allowing it to happen. Solomon gave good advice that can help us to have the right view of our trials. First, we need to be realistic about our imperfect life in Satan’s world​—we will have good days and bad days. When we have a good day, we can show our appreciation for God’s goodness and view the day as a gift from him. Second, Solomon reminds us that we “cannot be certain of anything that will happen,” whether the day will bring us good or adversity. Unexpected problems strike both the righteous and the unrighteous.

6. Why might Jehovah allow us to face trials? (Hebrews 12:7, 11)

⁶ If we view our trials properly, we will see that Jehovah is teaching us to depend, not on ourselves, but on him. Jehovah never fails to notice our trials or to care about our suffering. Even when he allows us to go into “the valley of deep shadow,” he continues to guide us, to reassure us of his love, and to give us the strength we need to endure. (Ps. 23:4) Adversities can also help us to identify our weaknesses and, with God’s help, to refine our personality. (Read Hebrews 12:7, 11.) For example, Job needed to work on his humility. Jehovah did not cause Job’s trial; yet, He allowed it and used it to help Job learn valuable lessons. (Job 42:1-6) Regardless of what may befall us, though, we know that whatever Jehovah permits cannot harm us permanently. When we faithfully endure our trials, we come off “completely victorious.”​—Rom. 8:35-39.

7. Why can you be happy even when you are persecuted for your faith?

⁷ We can be happy during persecution. If you are being persecuted for your faith, do not think that you have lost Jehovah’s blessing. On the contrary, such opposition indicates that you have his approval. (Matt. 5:10-12) With the right viewpoint, you can find joy and maintain your self-respect when you are persecuted for being a Christian, just as the apostles did. (Acts 5:40-42) In addition, you might help non-Witnesses to learn the truth and “glorify God.” (1 Pet. 2:12) Like Joseph, you can be successful during adversities​—not just when they are over.​—Gen. 39:3, 23.

8. What further incentive do we have to endure our trials?

⁸ Our trials will come to an end. Job’s experience reminds us that our hardships will come to an end. In fact, “Jehovah blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the beginning.” (Job 42:12) Jehovah likewise promises to bless “the last part” of your life, the part that continues forever, more than the brief beginning that may be filled with trouble. What an incentive that is for each of us to endure to the end!​—Matt. 24:13.

HOW A WRONG VIEW CAN HARM US

9. How could a wrong view of our adversity harm us?

⁹ Regardless of the adversity we are facing, we need to have the proper view of it in order to avoid creating further problems for ourselves. For instance, we might feel that Jehovah has actually caused our adversity. For a time, Job felt that Jehovah had caused his problems, and this wrong view led him to try “to prove himself right rather than God.” (Job 32:2) Similarly, Naomi at first blamed Jehovah for her calamities. (Ruth 1:13, 20, 21) If Job and Naomi had held on to such wrong viewpoints, they would have damaged their relationship with Jehovah. (Prov. 19:3) Yet, Jehovah helped them to gain a correct view of their problems and blessed them for their loyalty.

10. When we are under trial, what might we begin to wonder about?

¹⁰ Even if we are certain that Jehovah has not caused our trials, we might begin to wonder whether he still cares about us. Such a negative view can sap our strength. (Prov. 24:10) King David and the prophet Habakkuk each faced adversity and at times questioned whether Jehovah was listening to their cries for help. (Ps. 10:1; Hab. 1:2) Yet, they did not stop praying. Jehovah assured those faithful men of his support, and he will do the same for you.​—Ps. 10:17.

11. What could happen to us if we do not have the correct view of trials?

¹¹ Without the correct view of trials, we might be surprised by them, perhaps feeling that such things should not happen to us. (1 Pet. 4:12) Jesus’ disciples struggled to understand that he would face intense persecution. (Luke 18:33, 34) Despite Jesus’ clear statement about what lay ahead of him, the apostle Peter downplayed the adversity. Jesus knew that such thinking could hinder him from doing Jehovah’s will, so he rebuked Peter. (Mark 8:31-33) And even after Jesus’ death, his disciples continued to be slow to understand those events. Still, Jesus did not give up on them. When he spoke with them after his resurrection, he helped them to gain the right view of his suffering by “fully opening up the Scriptures to [them].” (Luke 24:25-27, 32, 44-48) By meditating on what Jesus was teaching them, they would be helped to prepare for the opposition they would soon face as his followers. Considering Scriptural truths can help us prepare for adversity as well.

12. How could a wrong view of our situation make us feel?

¹² A wrong view of our situation could make us feel that it is worse than it really is. Jesus showed one way this can happen in his illustration of the workers in the vineyard. Some workers were distressed about what they thought were unfair wages, but the master told one of them: “Fellow, I do you no wrong.” (Matt. 20:10-13) The complaint of the workers was based, not on an injustice, but on their mistaken expectations. Today some Witnesses have had to battle similar feelings​—for example, when they missed out on a privilege of service or had to relinquish one. What practical things can we do to have the right view of a difficult situation?

STEPS WE CAN TAKE WHEN ADVERSITY STRIKES

13. What might happen when adversity strikes?

¹³ You may know the Scriptural truths about adversity. You may have even shared them with others to help them cope with trials. Yet, when adversity hits you personally, you might struggle to keep the right viewpoint. For instance, you might feel that Jehovah is punishing you or that he is not listening to your prayers. What steps can you take to maintain the right perspective?

14. What can you pray for when you are suffering? (Philippians 4:13)

¹⁴ Ask Jehovah for his support. Tell Jehovah about your suffering and how it is affecting you. You can pray specifically for the way you want Jehovah to help you. You can ask for his holy spirit to give you the strength and the wisdom you need to endure. Remember, though, that Jehovah may answer your prayer in a way that you do not expect. (Eph. 3:20) He might also direct the angels or your brothers and sisters to support you. (Ps. 34:7) So accept Jehovah’s help in whatever way he provides it. He gives his spirit generously, and it can make you equal to any challenge.​—Read Philippians 4:13.

15. What will help you to endure adversity? (See also picture.)

¹⁵ Maintain a spiritual routine. Do what you can even if you are not able to keep up the routine you had before. You need to fill your mind with God’s thoughts even more during times of “distress and difficulty.” (Ps. 119:143) Continue to read the Bible regularly, to study it, and to meditate on it. Share in the ministry to the extent you can, and attend meetings and participate in them. Stay connected with your brothers and sisters. Resist any urge you might feel to isolate yourself.​—Prov. 18:1.

16. What doubts might you face when adversity strikes, and how can you resolve them? (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5)

¹⁶ Resolve your doubts. When adversity strikes, you may need to overturn “strongly entrenched” ideas, including doubts about yourself or about Jehovah. (Read 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5.) You can resolve such doubts by using “the knowledge of God” found in the Bible and in the publications of his organization. For example, do you doubt that Jehovah still approves of you? Study the experiences of the apostle Paul. During his ministry, he suffered extreme adversities; yet, these only strengthened his conviction that he was an approved minister of Christ. (2 Cor. 11:23-27) Do you wonder whether Jehovah has really forgiven you for past mistakes? If so, compile a list of scriptures that show that Jehovah does forgive sins. (Isa. 43:25) Then read these verses and meditate on them. (Ps. 119:97) Has a tragedy led you to question God’s promise to protect his faithful servants? Research the subjects of why God permits suffering and how he safeguards us spiritually no matter what befalls us. (Ps. 91:9-12) Also, read the accounts of brothers and sisters who successfully coped with tragedy.a

17. What should we do when adversity strikes?

¹⁷ Are you currently enjoying a good day, free from significant hardships? Then thank Jehovah and make the best use of the opportunity to reflect on his goodness. (Eccl. 7:14) But when adversity strikes, maintain the right view of it and keep your trust in Jehovah strong. As you do so, Jehovah will “make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) But what about our dear brothers and sisters? How can we help them when they face adversity? Our next article will consider that subject.