How do you handle adversity? Is it easy for you to adjust? Does your life become a tangled web when you encounter adversity? If so, it is well to consider pointed teaching from God’s revelation to man.

The wise man reminded, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Prov. 24:10). It takes great faith to properly deal with life’s adversity. It demands rugged determination to face the trials of life. A story is related that illustrates our point: “A little boy was leading his sister up a mountain path, and the way was not easy. His sister complained, ‘This is not a path at all - it is rocky and bumpy.’ Her brother replied, ‘Sure, the bumps are what you climb on.’” It might be well with all who murmur about adversity to adopt this kind of attitude.

Rebellious Israel was counselled when placing their confidence in Egypt, “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers…” (Is. 30:20). Although they “may add sin to sin,” (30:1), in their time of adversity, they would be properly instructed.

Solomon taught, “Consider the work of God… In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him” (Eccl. 7:13-14). We must learn absolutely to place our confidence in our Heavenly Father.

Along with David, we may cry out: “But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together… with hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Lord, how long wilt thou look on?” (Ps. 35:15-17). Do we sometimes feel that there is no end to our trouble, to our adversity? If so, you can relate with David. “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name forever?” (Ps. 74:10).

Young widows were prompted to “give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (1 Tim. 5:14). With proper conduct and manner of life, we may overcome the adversary. Our Lord had reminded His disciples when faced with persecution, “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist” (Luke 21:15).

Even when entering a great door of opportunity, Scripture relates that there are “many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9). “The bumps are what you climb on.”