Session 8: Adversity is Not Your Enemy

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ADVERSITY IS NOT YOUR ENEMY

Pastor Taiyo Konda and Peter Lowe discuss the theme of persevering through adversity. They emphasise the idea that obstacles and challenges should be seen as opportunities for growth and refinement rather than hindrances. They draw inspiration from the biblical teachings that highlight the importance of perseverance and the role it plays in shaping our character and faith.

The Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, is famous for saying:

“THE IMPEDIMENT TO ACTION ADVANCES ACTION.

WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY BECOMES THE WAY.”

The things that you see as obstacles are not barriers; they are pathways.

When viewing obstacles in a mere binary sense, we are only left with “win” or “lose”.

But what if there was a deeper purpose in the obstacles that we face in life?

What if there was more than just the external result we were pursuing?

What if (regardless of the outcome), there was an internal change that we should be seeking?

Just like sustained pressure over a long period builds diamonds, and irritations create oysters, so

does pressure and irritations build precious stones and jewels within you.

The ancient scriptures put it this way:

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.

You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

James 1:2-4

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What is a significant obstacle that you are facing now?
• What would you like to see change in the external? What would be the impact of this change: Today? In a year?
• As you wrestle with this obstacle, what are you learning and how are you growing?
• As you learn and grow in this specific wrestle, what would be the impact of this internal change: Today? In a year?
• Do you believe that regardless of the outcome, you can change for the better?
• Do you believe that the real opportunity is not in the external change that you are seeking, but in the internal change that is happening as you wrestle?