Times to Consider
April 27th will be the 10 year anniversary of the Super Tornado Outbreak, one of the largest, costliest and deadliest tornadic events historically recorded and certainly the case in our lifetime. It was a significant event for many of us to live through, affecting us all adversely in some way. In total, at least 362 tornadoes were confirmed, contributing to a loss of 348 precious lives. One of those tornadoes, which cut a swath across Limestone and Madison counties, was later identified as an EF5 with over 200 mph winds, the highest rating possible. Many of us knew someone personally that succumbed to this horrific event.
Consider the work of God: “For who can make straight what he has bent? In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.” Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
Consider the work of God: this passage teaches us to give consideration and acceptance, especially when it comes to adversity. Considering our ways is an admonition for us to learn from this experience. Whether it was adversity 10 years ago, this past year or even today, we should consider the time and what we can learn from it, especially as it pertains to our lack of control of it. During times of catastrophic events, our way of life may be impacted. Schools and businesses are unable to operate. Our lives can be completely upended. What do we learn about our plans? Our power? Our control over our own lives? Quite simply, it becomes apparent that we are not in control. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. God tells us that both adversity and prosperity are to teach us that we do not know what the future holds.
During these times, we are to consider that God has made one day as well as another. When you have those days of prosperity, we should enjoy them as “gifts from God” (Eccl 2:24; 3:13; 5:19). However, the days of adversity will certainly come in our lives. These are the times for reflection. These are times to renew our commitment of our dependence upon God. When we have good times, enjoy them. When we have bad times, learn from them. We are unwise not to expect the likelihood of this uncertainty and to prepare to adjust and react accordingly.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:13–17
We need to live our lives without the assumption that we will have tomorrow and without the supposition that tomorrow will be like today. Realizing that at times in our life, we will experience good fortune, health and prosperity. But at the same time, we understand that there will be times of suffering, due to age, illness, persecution or just misfortune. We shouldn’t allow misguided self-confidence to take hold of our way of thinking and deceive us into believing that we have control over how tomorrow will go. James reminds us that “if the Lord wills that we will live tomorrow and it is if the Lord wills that we will do whatever we have planned tomorrow”.
We understand that the Christian life is the best kind of life in this world. However, the Christian is not exempt from adversity or suffering. Even those that we may think of as the most righteous are not limited to this experience. Many times, it is the godly and the righteous who receive worse treatment. We must understand this, so as not to be surprised when bad things happen to good people. Further, the righteous do not receive a lesser portion because of their faith in God. You may recall the life of Job, who was identified as one who was blameless and upright, who feared God and rejected evil, a man who, in a related contextual illustration of this writing, also suffered a devastating loss of family and property, due to some kind of weather event involving “a mighty wind”.
Job’s wise response to this experience,
Shall we receive good from God and shall we not receive adversity…The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 2:10; 1:21
The Lord gives, just as the Lord can take away. We are not deserving of anything in our life. All of it comes from heaven. This should teach us that He is the one in control. Our focus in this life should be one that we are willing to live for God, no matter our circumstances, whether in prosperity or adversity. Once we come to terms that we cannot “make straight what he has bent,” then we learn the importance of making the best of our situation. The alternative reaction is counterproductive, resulting in frustration and exasperation.
May we be determined, during times of prosperity, to be joyful, to do good, serving the Lord with gladness of heart!
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10
May we never forget to be thankful to God for the good blessings in our life. Let us use those opportunities to be a light to others. In whatever time that we experience, may we encourage others as we laugh with them or cry with them.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 2:1-4
Looking back 10 years ago now, many of us can recall the days around that memorable event on April 27, 2011. We can recall the destruction and loss surrounding us, the adjustments that we had to make in our lives. We can now know these things because we’ve experienced them. We understand that not only are there things that we know in life. There is much more that we do not know. We cannot know the future. We cannot know all of God’s purposes and we cannot change any of these things. We do know that we may experience prosperity and adversity throughout life. We do know that we serve a God who is in control. He loves us no matter the conditions, in times of adversity or prosperity or whatever the future holds. May the days of adversity give us greater hope and a greater appreciation for the days of prosperity. Most of all, may we always put our faith and trust in Him knowing that His will be done.
“Never Regret A Day In your Life: Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories.” - Anonymous
