Thoughts on Adversity: Mon. Aug. 23

I’ve run across three timely quotes on life and adversity. Because all of us deal with adversity, I hope you find these quotes encouraging.

In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.  – John Churlton Collins

Proverbs says it aptly,  “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”*  We always find out who those friends are in tough times.

If you feel that you don’t have “that friend that sticks closer…”  I’d like to make two suggestions:

1. If you don’t have a church family, find one.  Even as you’re honest on your struggles, they will both stand with you and by you.

2. May I recommend the One who’s stood by me in the many highs and lows of my life:  Jesus, the risen Son of God.  I can attest to his faithfulness.

I’ve been feasting this week on Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus:

He is despised and rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 4) Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…**

There’s a hymn called “Man of Sorrows, what a name.”  ***Lyrics are below.  I love the part  “Hallejuiah what A Savior.”

*Proverbs 18:24

** Isaiah 53:3-4

A second quote bears remembering:

The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances.”  -Aristotle

I love those words:  grace and dignity.  Lord, help me to have them in my life.

A third quote:

Misfortune nobly borne is good fortune.  -R. E. Lee

I’m always amazed at the wisdom of the  greatest “Son of the South.”  He was a great general; evidently, even a better man.

Here is an excerpt about Lee meeting 13 year old Woodrow Wilson from http://www.americancivilwar.org.uk/news_robert-e-lee-weekend:-jan-2006-after-appomattox_121.htm

Final trip through the South

Lee began a tour on March 24, 1870 accompanied by Agnes. They visited Annie’s grave on March 29, the train arrived in Raleigh to crowds chanting “Lee! Lee!” Union soldiers on duty sent a basket of fruit to Lee.

In Columbia, SC, the city declared a holiday in the rain. Stores and offices closed and a parade went to the train. They were greeted by E. P Alexander. In Augusta, Ga. there was a reception Planter’s Hotel. Crowds thronged in line for hours to meet Lee. Somehow a 13-year old Woodrow Wilson worked his way through the crowd to stand right next to Lee. Wilson later said he admired him silently and glowingly.

***Lyrics to “Man of Sorrows”

1. Man of Sorrows! What a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

3. Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

4. Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

5. When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

©2002 Phelps Anderson Music /
Jim Hitch Music.

Words:	Philip Bliss
Music:	Phelps Anderson and Jim Hitch