Face to Face with Adversity

When Sharon’s oldest daughter moved out, she had a pep in her step that lasted for several years. She’d finally paid off student loans and was only a few more years away from paying off her mortgage. Things seemed to be falling perfectly into place, and most of the plans she set for herself had panned out. The only thing still missing was meeting a nice guy and getting married again. Fifty-two and a single mom, she wanted to be married and build a future with someone new. What she hadn’t factored in was the possibility that her plans might not unfold the way she expected. She neglected to consider that God’s timing might not align with her timing, and that more spiritual preparation might be required.

Spiritual Preparation

Our Lord and Savior said in Luke 12:48 (NLT), “and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” A law is communicated in his truth, and it is telling us a little bit about the way in which God designed the universe to behave. Blessings come with both responsibility and accountability. Together, these two solidify integrity and guard against the enemy’s corruption and deception. The wisdom that Jesus lays out should inform how we pray and what we pray to receive. In other words, when we’re asking God for the desires of our hearts, increased spiritual maturity and strength should also be an important part of that prayer.

Increased blessings will always require more from us, and this is especially true when we’re praying to cross paths with someone that will be significant in our lives. Jesus Christ teaches us in Luke 14:28-30 (NLT), “28 But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’” Jesus makes it very clear in this passage that forethought is necessary before we commit to something, especially when it comes to following him and achieving the purpose we were created to fulfill.

Understand the Costs

We must be prepared for both the challenges and responsibilities that come with the commitments we are asking God to place in our hands. When Jesus asks, “who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” he’s asking us to think about what it truly means to follow him, because being fully committed to Christ should be the priority of every living person. This Christian journey demands total commitment. It involves challenges and sacrifices, and the truth is that many people haven’t fulfilled this commitment or even thought about it, but they are expecting greater blessings. Their current level of commitment to Christ must be weighed in light of the spiritual maturity to handle greater blessings.

When we come face to face with adversity, if we’re not spiritually strong, how will we handle it without allowing the enemy to steal from us or get the best of us? When we face adversity in our relationships that really break our hearts, we’ll mount up with courage and forgiveness, or allow sadness to cripple the relationship? Will we give in to bitterness and resentment if things don’t go our way or change within our timetable?

If we don’t fully understand what it takes to follow Christ, it is doubtful we will come to the table in relationships with the depth of commitment and endurance they require. Whether it’s pursuing a career goal, entering into a significant relationship, or any other personal ambition, we must count the costs of those choices. If we don’t understand what it takes, we might start something we can’t finish, and that’s not going to fulfill us. It leads to disappointment and shame, because we find ourselves in the position of not having the emotional and spiritual resources to see something through to the end.

Maximize Your Resources, Build Your Strength

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT), “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Our lives are precious to God, and our time on earth is also limited. That’s one of the reasons we have to be intentional about maximizing it by doing all the good things God has planned for us. He doesn’t want us wasting resources by starting things we can’t finish. Instead, we’re to use our time wisely by immersing ourselves in His Word, praying often, and following the Spirit’s guidance. Spending quality time with God in ways like these strengthens us. It’s the spiritual preparation that helps us steward our resources in a Godly way and deepen our walk with Christ.

We all want more out of life, and blessings bring so much joy, but we have to be ready to deal face to face with the adversity too. Sharon had not considered the cost of adding someone new to her life. She had not thought about what it means to minister, sacrifice, and put someone else’s needs ahead of her own. Often, we only focus on what we want without the kind of careful consideration of what it means to steward a blessing in a way that pleases God. Our Heavenly Father entrusts us with blessing for which we have the spiritual maturity to steward. The wisdom, patience, compassion, and care that careful stewardship requires should be fully part of our arsenal. God will help us get there if we aren’t already, but we must be willing to allow Him to shape and prepare us for the responsibilities that come with His blessings. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of receiving what we've prayed for, but the true test lies in how we manage, care for, and nurture those blessings once they’re in our hands. God’s desire is for us to grow through the process. He wants us to be transformed into people who are not just recipients of His goodness but who also reflect His heart in everything we do. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Face to Face with Adversity”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.