Our lives as Christians should be one of constant growth. “Testing our faith” through trials of many kinds develops perseverance, and perseverance leads to the maturity of our character.

 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3 English Standard Version; ESV)

 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)

 God uses those difficulties to reveal our need to grow so that we will reach out to Him to change us more and more into the likeness of His Son. But how are we to “rejoice” or “exult” in our adversity? It is not the adversity itself that is to be the ground for our joy. Instead, it is the expectation of the results, the development of our character, that should cause us to rejoice in adversity. Remember this from Hebrews 12:2:

 “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 See the bigger picture. Look beyond your adversity to see what God is doing in your life. Rejoice in knowing the truth that He is at work in us to help us grow. All that God does has as its purpose His glory and our good.  God is the Master Teacher, training His pupils; the Father of creation wants us to grow through adversity as well as through instruction from His Word.

 “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law” (Psalm 94:12 ESV)

 Is there any specific good that God provides through adversity? Here are just a few. Perhaps you can come up with more.

 Pruning. Jesus said that “every branch that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2.  God uses adversity to loosen our grip on those things that are not actual fruit. God prunes us that we might become more fruitful.

 Holiness. God disciplines us through adversity for our good, that we may share in His holiness. Hebrews 12:10. In times of hardship, we can see into ourselves more deeply and clearly. i.e., Are we mature and strong enough to love and forgive the person who was the instrument of the adversity? Adversity can reveal our sinfulness. Our response is to be humbled, mourn our transgressions, and earnestly petition God that we change. When we endure hardship, we know that it “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:11.

 Our dependence on God. An understanding of John 15:5 tells us that apart from our union with Christ and absolute reliance on him, we can do nothing that will bring glory to God. Through adversity, God teaches us to rely on Him instead of ourselves. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9. Paul dealt with his adversity, trusting in God, saying, “I delight in weakness… For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10.

 Perseverance. Adversity helps us develop perseverance thru our faith founded on God’s Word. Hebrews 10:32-36. Perseverance or patience is an essential element of character for a Christian. Hebrews 12:1. Each one of us has a race to run, and we can grow in perseverance through adversity. Romans 5:3; James 1:3. We persevere by faith to do God’s will despite obstacles and discouragements. Hebrews 10:36;11:1-40;12:1.

 Service. God also allows trouble in our lives to equip us for His effective service. The first four contribute to making us useful in God’s service. Before his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph’s adversities prepared him for the role he would later play. God comforts us in our adversities that we might comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

 The Fellowship of Suffering. John described himself as “your brother and companion in the suffering… that is ours in Jesus.” Revelation 1:9. Being involved in adversity, we enter into a unique fellowship with others who are burdened with similar trouble. At times adversity breaks down long-standing barriers or differences, which are replaced by a bond of a fellowship of caring and sharing.

 Relationship with God. Perhaps the most valuable way we profit through adversity is in the deepening of our relationship with God. Through adversity, we learn to bow before His sovereignty, to trust His wisdom, and to experience the consolations of His love until we can say with Job, “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.” Job 42:5.

Adversity enables us to know Christ more. “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Php.3:10). David sought out a deeper knowledge of God during times of adversity. Psalms 23,42,61,62.

 To us, adversity often appears completely senseless and irrational, but none of it is meaningless or irrational to God. He has a purpose in every pain or sorrow He allows in our lives. We can be sure that in some way, He intends it for our good and His glory.