"Joy in the Midst of Adversity"

     On January 12, a massive earthquake struck the tiny, impoverished nation of Haiti.  At the time I am writing this, the death toll is up to 150,000 & continues to rise.  Most of us by now have heard several accounts of what happened and have seen a multitude of pictures.  Many stories are arising from the ruins, but one in particular has stood out to me.  I would like to share that story with you.

     I was watching the news as the first pictures of the disaster began to roll in.  The reporter doing the story was giving an overview of the extent of the damage, and the pictures were pretty bleak.  But at one point, he said something like, "Yet in the midst of tragedy a song of joy is rising."  The pictures then went to a group of young people who were singing praises to God for saving them.  Their countenances radiated with joy that was rooted in their gratitude for what God had done for them.

     There's more to the story, though.  A few scenes later, the camera was on a man standing in front of a destroyed building.  His countenance was very different from those of the young people I had just seen earlier.  He was extremely angry and bitter as he said something like, "Where is the help we need from the world?"  His need was very real, and I had compassion on him.  Yer, I was struck by the contrast between him and the young people.

     Since these images were etched in my mind that evening, I've thought much about how we as Christians handle adversity.  Sometimes we are like the group of young people, seeing more of God's faithfulness than the need of the moment.  We come through those situations stronger and a lot closer to God.  At other times, we are more like the man in front of the demolished building. (And for most of us, our situations have been nowhere near as bad as his.)  We focus more on needs of the moment and on what we believe we deserve, missing God's goodness in the midst of adversity.  We come through the situation angry and maybe even bitter.

     What about you?  What are you like when you go through adversity?  Does your countenance radiate with joy that overflows from a thankful heart over God's goodness in the situation?  Or is it filled with anger and bitterness?  God wants to bring us to the point where we can see His hand at work even in the midst of hardship.  Then, as we see His kindness toward us, our hearts well up with thankfulness, and we find joy in conditions of despair.

     "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.  therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling." (Psalm 46:1-3)

     "Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I've missed seeing Your grace in the midst of adversity.  Help me when I face difficult times in the future to recognize Your hand at work.  Then, may my heart be filled with gratitude that leads to joy over Your faithfulness.  In Your name I pray, amen."