Don’t Sink When You Can Swim
Today’s Verse:
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. ~Proverbs 24:10
Swimming is perhaps one of the best resilience, resistance, and strength exercises. To be a very good swimmer requires many hours of swimming and focus. Over time, good swimmers learn to develop good technique in order to avoid early fatigue. Good swimmers know that the body’s buoyancy enables them to float on water. When tired and fatigued, they know that it is better to keep swimming instead of quitting and sinking. Adversity in the Christian life can be like swimming in difficult, choppy waters. The pounding waves and the distance to a safe location are difficult and might feel out of reach, but as a good swimmer, we must keep swimming. Let us see this morning why we should not give up when things are tough.
There is the attack when in adversity.
Adversity can be any kind of trouble or difficulty that we encounter that has no immediate solution. When adversity comes into our life, fear can overcome us. We have fear about the uncertainties, the possible losses, and how our world is being altered. We feel like we are at a disadvantage and are fighting to keep our head above water. The devil places many negative thoughts into our head, and we may even think that God has forsaken us at our most critical moment. Adversity attacks our morale, our confidence, and our faith in God and people.
There is the admonition in adversity.
Solomon said that if we faint, or give up, in the day of adversity, our strength is small. Adversity brings out the best and worst in us. It shows what kind of Christian we really are. It is a means to determine if we really have faith in God to lean upon Him. Through this admonition, Solomon is giving us a caution. It is a way of telling us not to waste our trial. It is a way of telling us to use the good days that we experience to store up strength against the evil days. When adversity comes, will you sink or will you swim?
There is the advice for adversity.
First, we must prepare for adversity. We are encouraged to prepare ourselves in the event of a natural disaster. In the same way, we must take time each day to prepare our soul for the day in which adversity comes. Memorize verses that speak about God’s power and faithfulness. Pay special attention to chapters and verses where faith and reliance upon God are given. Underscore Bible characters who overcame adversities in their life. Read the biographies of Christians who were resilient in times of adversity. Second, we must strengthen our prayer life. Prayer is a spiritual exercise that deepens our soul experience, draws us closer to God, and gives us needed assurance. A strong prayer life makes a strong Christian.
There is the advantage in adversity.
Spurgeon said, “Fiery trials make golden Christians.” Always remember that God will make a way for you. Always remember that God is for you when adversity comes. Always remember that God loves you and is with you in your adversity. Remember that things are always better higher up!
Don’t allow adversity to make you sink. You can prevail over your adversity. Don’t give in to the thought of giving up. Don’t sink when you can swim!
Have a courageous God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Acts 21-23