ADVERSITY—BURDEN OR BRIDGE?

KEY PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 | SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE: Psalm 37:4; 103:19 | Romans 8:28
1 Corinthians 10:13 | 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 8; 11:28 | Philippians 1:13-15; 3:8-10; 4:4, 10-13, 19

SUMMARY sovereignty rules over all.” In other words, God is in control

of everything. The second verse is Romans 8:28, which
Many people are facing adversity today. says, “God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according
They may be dealing with financial difficulties or suffering to His purpose.” When these two verses are correctly
because of rebellious children. Perhaps they are hurting interpreted, they become a bridge that helps us overcome
emotionally because of personal betrayal, or physically adversities.
due to health issues. Adversity comes in a variety of
different forms, but one thing is certain—it will come to Adversity was a bridge in Paul’s life.
each one of our lives sooner or later.
Paul’s life is one of the best biblical examples of how
Some people crumble under the pressure of adversity. adversity can be a bridge to a deeper relationship
They become so bitter and resentful toward the Lord with God. This apostle wrote the majority of the New
that they walk away from His calling on their lives. They Testament. Without the revelations the Lord gave him, we
might even resort to addictive behaviors to try to escape would have far less insight into how to live the Christian
the pain. Others face similar challenges but have a totally life. But his closeness to the Father came as the result of
different reaction. Instead of weakening them, difficulties loss and hardship. He wrote, “I count all things to be loss
make them stronger because these believers learn in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus
to depend more fully on the power of the Holy Spirit. my Lord . . . that I may know Him and the power of His
Adversity can either be an overwhelming burden or a resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
bridge to a deeper relationship with God. conformed to His death” (Phil. 3:8, 10). Through tribulation
and difficulty, Paul learned:
SERMON POINTS
He could know peace even in adversity. Paul said, “I
A burden or a bridge? have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
I am. I know how to get along with humble means,
No one wants to experience tough times. But when they and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and
come our way, we have a choice about how to view them: every circumstance I have learned the secret of being
as a burden or a bridge. A burden, spiritually speaking, filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and
is a heaviness or weight that depresses us. We may feel suffering need. I can do all things through Him who
weary or discouraged, without joy and peace. A bridge, by strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13).
contrast, is a way to rise above difficulties and develop a
more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. God would give him supernatural strength in his
Two verses represent the foundation of this bridge to weakness. He explained that his weakness allowed
greater intimacy with the Lord. Psalm 103:19 says, “The the Holy Spirit’s power to work through his life: “I will
Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power

SERMON NOTES | SN100829FR

of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content process, discover more about how He works.
with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with (See 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.)
persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for
when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Adversity prepared him to comfort others more
effectively. God uses our suffering to prepare us to
The Lord was the source for all his needs. Philippians minister to others (2 Cor. 1:3-4). We are best equipped
4:19 says, “My God will supply all your needs according to comfort people if we have been through something
to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When we fully rely similar.
on the Father, He will provide for us.
God had a specific purpose for adversity. Paul’s
He could trust in the Lord’s faithfulness. “God is thorn had a particular function; it was designed to
faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond keep him humble and dependent on God, despite the
what you are able, but with the temptation will provide astounding spiritual revelations he had been given
the way of escape also, so that you will be able to (2 Cor. 12:7). Like him, our trials are designed by God
endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). Paul had learned to depend on to help us become the people He desires.
the Lord to carry him through any trial.
We can rejoice in the midst of adversity.
The Father valued his service more than his desires. In Philippians 4:4, the apostle wrote, “Rejoice in the
Although Scripture promises that the Lord delights in Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Knowing the
giving us the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4), He will Lord is always in control of our circumstances gives
prioritize our character development over our comfort. us a reason to celebrate.
Instead of satisfying Paul’s inclination toward comfort
and ease, God sent adversity to prepare him for RESPONSE
greater service (2 Cor. 12:7).
It is likely you are experiencing some type of adversity
Even in his adversity, God would strengthen his today. You can try to handle it using your own
message. Because Paul was imprisoned, the entire resources—turning to your friends for advice, doing the
Roman guard heard the gospel (Phil. 1:13-15). The more best you can, or escaping into hobbies or addictions.
adversity we face, the more effective our message But I guarantee that when it comes to life-changing
will be to others. We have our greatest impact when hardship, such coping mechanisms will ultimately fail.
people watch us go through pain and suffering with our Your adversity will become an overwhelming burden.
faith intact.
I pray you will choose to see adversity as a bridge
It’s important to see everything as coming from to a deeper relationship with your Lord and Savior,
God. One of the most important lessons the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, the awesome power
has taught me is that He uses everything, even of the Holy Spirit is able to equip and transform you
the wrongs of others, for His purposes in my life. and to carry you through suffering. Through pain and
(See 2 Corinthians 12:7.) hardship, He demonstrates how much we need His
help. The bridge of adversity can take you to a place of
God’s ways are not our ways. Suffering is often the indescribable intimacy with Jesus Christ.
stimulus to greater closeness with God. We draw near
to Him for relief from pain and suffering and, in the

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SERMON NOTES | SN100829FR