From Adversity to Action

This title emphasizes a shift in our hearts from being a victim of hardship and pain, to becoming an empowered agent for positive change in Christ Jesus. 

When we step into action, we will draw on spiritual strength and purpose that is God driven. 

First, we must recognize the adversity as a tool for growth, developing inner resilience through faith in Jesus, and then letting the learning lessons be the fuel towards our forward motion to find His will and His purpose for our lives. 

Yes, He has a specific purpose and plan if we can finally dispose of the negative thinking patterns, attitudes and responses when adversity strikes us.  We all go through trials, some more than others, yet many times there is not any gain without the pains of life. 

This does not discount the ones who love Jesus and are truly born again who suffer more sickness and disease, or personal trials in marriage.  Perhaps the children who were raised in a nurturing, loving, Christian home saw too much negative vibes and actions on the part of the parents.  Parents learned parenting from many different schools.  Especially the school of hard knocks like I went through. 

I spent too many long nights and days twiddling my thumbs, hoping for things to change.  They never did until I fully surrendered my life to God’s will and His way of doing things on my behalf.  Prison time taught me to respect the most valuable commodity I had back then.  Time.  I wasted enough of that on my own, without the influence of demonic strategies. 

Isaiah 41: 10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” 

Not living in fear is the first step and our part to exercise, by our trust in Him through faith.  He will help us not react to fear factors when we grow up in His promises.  I did not learn this or practice this until late into my early 50’s, yet “better late than never.” 

We must know He is with us, and He will never leave us or abandon us in any kind of way, or during all trials and tribulations.  Isaiah continues in that scripture saying, “Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” 

Two points about this.  One, being dismayed (distressed or feeling consternation.)  (Anxiety and fear of something that happens unexpectedly.)   

Two, “I am your God.” 

If Jesus is not the God of your salvation, you cannot trust that He is there for you and that all things will work out for good to a degree.  

Joseph, Job, and the Apostle Paul are examples of overcomers. 

Even modern figures who have overcome significant challenges, like Horatio Spafford who wrote the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul” after losing his entire family at sea.  This tragedy brought a hymn from his heart.  His broken heart.  

Joseph.  His story exemplifies moving from the adversity of being sold into slavery and imprisonment to a position of leadership and salvation for his family and nation through God’s guidance.  Let us not forget who sold him into slavery and were at fault in doing so.  His brothers did it.  Family.  Blood relatives. 

Job and his trials and perseverance demonstrate enduring faith and how a right attitude in the face of immense suffering can be the seed planted which can lead to restoration and a deeper understanding of God. 

Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” and his response, teach that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness, turning a potential hindrance into an opportunity for God’s Glory.  “When I am weak, then I am strong.”  2nd Corinthians 12: 10. 

Now for my story. 

 I had to turn my adversities into action.  I thought I was doing that.  I did not know Jesus yet, so I was doing everything in my power to overcome.  That did not work. 

I used drugs and drove that needle into my veins daily for 7 years.  Alcohol use and abuse included.   I tried to quit on my own.  That did not work at all.  I did not seek treatment, counseling, or even hospitalization.  I found out later in life that even if I had done all three, I would still not be happy. 

“How so?”  Because being sober is not freedom.  Only Christ can bring true freedom.  Vindication, pardon, and release from the sin and the consequences of that sin.  “Who the Son, sets free is free indeed.”  John 8: 36. 

I have personally known hundreds of addicts over these 40 years of ministry, that are clean and sober.  Clean in regard to not using.  Sober as in not out of their minds from drugs or alcohol. 

My question for all of them was a simple one.  “Are you happy now that you are clean and sober?” 

The answer was almost 100% the same each time I asked them individually and in a group setting.  “Well, at least I am not in a rehab or jail any longer.”  Or “I am glad to not be hungover and vomiting into a toilet while on my knees in the bathroom.” 

They found out later after attending the 12-step meeting that I was conducting in the church, that it boiled down to step 13.  Receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord and your life will have meaning and there will come joy in the morning.  His joy. 

That was not the question that I asked them. I asked them if they were happy with their sobriety.  They were happy with the sobriety but mad at themselves for getting messed up to begin with. 

 Happiness is not found in stopping the sin.  It is found in knowing the One who forgives sin.  Jesus. 

Adversity will drive humans to change.  One way or the other.  Either they will recognize the pain and do something about it, or they will blame someone or something for their pain and heartache. 

Lasting change will only occur by the power of God through repentance, and His grace and mercy applied to our sin-filled lives. 

No more, no less.  It is a simple Gospel that will set us free.  No need to complicate it. 

I allowed myself from the age of 15 through 20 to do everything on my own.  Without a living mother and father, I was independently stupid.  No one is around to guide me or direct me back then. 

I relied on me, myself and I. 

Me stupid.  Myself lonely.  I did it to myself.  My sin drove me to change.  I had to change or die. 

It amazes me that in the preaching of this Gospel of peace, how so many men in prison identify with the truth so quickly and easily.  Maybe out of desperation more than conviction, but they run to the altar many times.  Not a casual walk to repentance. 

 In many free-world churches that I have preached in, it is not so quick for some to repent or bend a knee in prayer and discuss their sin or problems with Jesus.   It is as if they are too concerned about how the people they know, or the ones they invited to church will respond to them under conviction of the Holy Ghost.   

I preach it this way in prison: “If you are concerned about the “homeboy” setting next to you, or the ones in this chapel that may see you go to the altar for prayer, and label you weak; then it is not the Holy Spirit moving on you.” 

When God deals with a human being in their sin, they will respond one way or the other.  Most who are convicted in their hearts move quickly for an answer to their pain.  “Who cares what anyone in the room or even at home would feel and how they may respond to our desperate life that needs change?”  Peer pressure has no power over the Holy Ghost.  

 It is God’s business how He deals with each person under conviction of the Holy Ghost. 

Salvation was not free by the way.  Jesus paid a heavy price and shed all of His Blood for us.  It cost Him his place in Heaven.  Temporarily. 

My sin took me all the way to prison.  This was a good thing.  

 It was not so good when I was 20 headed on that bus to maximum-security prison.  I can look back on my life and see all the crossroads and connections that God made for me to bring me to an end of myself.  ME, MYSELF and I needed help.  Beyond a treatment center or hospital.  I needed a super-natural touch from the One who has the power to change a life.  Jesus turned me upside down, and shook out the debris of sin, and all the pain I endured in my early years.  This “shaking” was a process, not an overnight sensation.  Gentle but thorough by the Lord Jesus. 

He shook me but did not destroy me.  He purged me from myself and my way of doing things. 

Now, at 69, I can say I have learned a few things about the nature of God. 

Experience is the best teacher. 

A man with experience is never at the mercy of a man with only an opinion or an argument.  This common saying suggests that direct experience provides a more concrete and reliable foundation for understanding a situation than a person who only relies on theory or debate. 

A person with experience is not at the mercy of someone with an argument because they have a basis in reality to rely on, rather than just rhetoric. 

So, how do we turn our adversities into proper actions? 

It is not complicated. 

James 1: 2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know (and have experience) that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

Romans 5: 3-5, “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” 

And we know that hope deferred (or put on hold) causes the heart to grow weary (or sick) but when the answer comes it is like a tree of life planted by the water.” 

If during the adversity or trial, we can somehow discipline ourselves and rely on our past experiences in the Lord, and not react but respond properly, there is hope.  It does take fortitude and patience, but this “action” will springboard us to gain more faith in achieving change. 

I know that most Christians know what Romans 8: 28 declares.  I know this about that scripture.  Loving God and being the called according to His purpose is only one element of that piece of scripture.  God uses all things.  Good, bad, and ugly.  He uses up and changes all situations for His Glory.  It is done in bizarre ways at times, yet He keeps on being God, despite how we believe or what we believe in accordance with our interpretation of His Holy Word. 

Trust and obey.  

Trust and obey.  For there’s no other way.  To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.  Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away; not a doubt of a fear, not a sigh or a tear, can abide while we trust and obey. 

What a great hymn by John H. Sammis who wrote this piece.  He was 22 when he converted to Christianity.  He was active in the Y.M.C.A serving as secretary for the Terre Haute Association and later becoming State Secretary.  He also pastored in many churches. 

He wrote over 100 hymns. 

One man.  One life.  He knew adversities too.  He acted in his trials.  He took action. 

If there is only one thing to glean from this writing, please remember this. 

When your next trial or problem happens, you can begin by praying, worshipping and trusting on your knees, by faith, that Jesus will calm your storm. 

Do not look at the situation from eyes of doubt or unbelief.  Once you get over the initial shock from the situation, that is the moment to bow, pray, sing and cry out to Jesus. 

He proved by dying which is His faithfulness to us. 

You don’t have to prove something today.  Jesus is not looking for your actions to speak louder than your words spoken.  He looks at the heart.  Your heart and mine. 

He knows how to fix things.  They may take time and not happen in our specific time periods.   

Your best action is to be proactive.  Prepare.  Plan. Pray.  Do what you know to do which is right, and according to His Word. 

You do your best, and Jesus will do the rest.  He is the One who fills in the gaps when we fall short. 

I would rather take action than give any room for adversity to grow. 

This is not up to you to figure out all the details of what to do.  It is better to know what “not” to do, rather than “to” do at times.  Get quiet before the Lord Jesus and He will speak to you.  It is His still, small voice of love whispering into your ear right now. 

Listen contently, and the contentment you need will live in you. 

Be of good cheer, He has overcome the world. 

Copyright © 2025 by Joe Wilkins