Studies show that Americans experience crises about 2.5 times a decade. It’s not a question of “if” adversity will visit you. It’s a matter of when!  

The study defines crisis as:

• Sudden changes in the financial state
• Medical emergencies
• Social or familial turmoil
• Loss of a job
• Substance addiction
• Life-altering situations

Most adversity cannot be controlled or prevented. You don’t have the luxury of deciding which crisis you get. You only get to control how you handle it. 

The Master’s Program is a 3-year journey of personal discovery and LifeMastery skills learned. One of the areas of discovery is how to transform our thinking about adversity. That is important because within that timeframe you will most likely experience one of life’s adversities. What if you could embrace it joyfully, knowing that God will use it to refine your faith and make you more like Him?

Jesus’ playbook addresses how we are to react during a crisis. Forgiveness, not being judgmental, not being angry with your brother, and loving your enemies are a few of Jesus’ commands that are only relevant when someone is against us. Without adversity, it would be nearly impossible to put these behaviors into practice. And, of course, Jesus’ early life demonstrated this.

He does not respond with fear. He responds to adversity with love. And so must we. Your TMP LifeMastery and LifeMission growth depend on it.

James, the brother of Jesus, calls us to:

“Consider it all joy when we face trials of many kinds, [Why?] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [So, what should we do?] So let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-3

I’ve wondered “how” to experience joy in adversity. It’s taken many years to implement. It requires rewiring the brain. But, the outcomes have been profound!

Nancy and I learned last week that she tested positive for breast cancer. Another round of adversity. How will we respond? The first response was devastation.  But within 24 hours, we were asking God about the upgrade He had in store for us. We find this concept:

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose.” 

Romans 8:28 

It’s not good; it’s not over yet. Where’s the upgrade, God?

This does not mean that Nancy and I do not have occasional scary thoughts generated by circumstances. It does not mean that our emotions have been magically flipped upside down. It does mean we are enduring and rewiring those problematic thoughts and feelings with a different attitude.  

Our focus is on how God will grow us in the process. We let endurance within the trial have its perfect result: more faith, more trust in God’s ways, and more becoming like Him on this planet.   

God did not cause your current crisis. But He will always use it to your benefit and the Body of Christ. Experiencing joy in the trial requires transforming your mind to believe in God’s ways. It doesn’t happen quickly. You can kick-start by journaling the past three to five crises. Recall and document how God worked all things together for good. Remembering His goodness in the past will catapult you to believing Him for your future!

In your corner,
Rob

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