We all experience times of adversity. But it’s how we respond to those times that shape our character, and ultimately our destiny. We can blame, complain, and retreat—or we can use those times as opportunities to thank the Lord for what He will ultimately do with the difficult season.
- How do we turn adversity into an opportunity?
- How do we see a purpose in the adversity?
- How can we look at adversity from a Kingdom perspective?
Let’s dig into the answers above and see how God is using adversity to fulfill prophecy today…
The Power of God Helps Us Turn Adversity into an Opportunity
The passages below provide more instruction as to how these turning points occur…
James 1:2-8
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
This passage tells us that adversity is…
- Inevitable
- Produces the fruit of patience and expectation
- Produces faith
- Produces discouragement if not looked upon with a Kingdom perspective
- A time of testing
- Must be allowed to fully bloom and mature so that we lack nothing
- A time to come to God and ask for wisdom, expecting an answer
2 Chronicles 15:4, 7-8
“‘but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them… But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!’ And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the Lord that was before the vestibule of the Lord.” (emphasis added)
This passage tells us that adversity is an opportunity to…
- Turn to the Lord
- Continue to be strong and work
- Have faith that we will be rewarded
- Remove idols within our hearts, homes, and families
It is only when we turn to the Lord, seek His ways, and activate His power in our adversity, that opportunities will come into our lives.
We Are Called to Help Others Turn Adversity into Opportunities
We can help others turn adversity into opportunities by using God’s principles, allowing others to reap a harvest! This means providing them with opportunities that allow them to perform tasks and work.
Leviticus 23:22
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’”
This passage indicates we are to…
- Be generous to others
- Provide for those who are in a season of adversity opportunities to work, as it allows them to preserve dignity and contribute to the nation
God cares for those who are facing adversity by giving them opportunities to prosper.
Turning Adversity into Opportunities is a Kingdom Assignment
After reading the passages above, can you see how opportunities are tied to trials and working? Before sin entered the world, God told Adam, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Being fruitful, the principle of multiplication and taking dominion, both involve active faith. Therefore, when we are faced with adversity, it’s an opportunity to operate out of the Lord’s power and step out (an action) in faith.
We also must look past our current circumstances and understand the greater glory that will come.
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
1 Peter 5:10
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
Adversity turned into an opportunity—when aligned with God’s will—will always bring Him glory.
Knowing these principles, My Olive Tree said “Yes!” when we were asked to partner with the Golan family who wanted to turn adversity into an opportunity.
The Golan family…
- Had a dream to make the land of Israel prosper
- Had gone through adversity during 2020 due to the pandemic
- Wanted to take part in cultivating the land, ultimately for God’s glory and prophetic fulfillment
Read more of their story here. Take an active part in turning adversity into an opportunity for the Golan family and the nation of Israel.
The Takeaway
So how do you turn adversity into an opportunity?
- Turn your heart to the Lord when faced with adversity
- Sow a seed into someone else who is going through a season of adversity
- Have faith that God will multiply the seed, fulfilling His purposes
Watch as God moves throughout Israel, not only restoring your situation but His Kingdom purposes.
But what does that look like? How do we activate the thankful heart with the expectation of God’s goodness in the time of adversity?
There are some simple ways to activate the thankful heart during a difficult time…
Have faith that God will use the season for His glory.
Sow a seed into someone else’s life who is also going through adversity
Align with God’s will and take part in a prophecy
Check out biblical passages that speak into these principles…