Adversity

1/11/2001

Over a period of four days, I thought about what to write about in this column; I kept coming 'round to the topic of adversity, but for some reason felt it might not be the right tone. So, I asked a friend what topic he thought I should write on. "What about adversity?" he responded. I got the picture.

King Solomon, considered to be one of the wisest men in history, is reputed to be the writer of Ecclesiastes where we find invaluable insights into the topic that enables us to see how 'backward' our thoughts on adversity can be--and thus, why we often have such a difficult time dealing with setbacks in life.

A common adversity that can throw us into a tailspin is the state of mourning brought about by the sudden, unexpected death of a friend or family member. At first glance, Solomon's words on the subject seem more like the script in a sarcastic satire than the text of Scripture: It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2 NIV)

How could it be better to go to a house of mourning than a house of feasting? Doesn't everyone love a party and hate a funeral? Indeed we do. So much of what we choose to do in life is based on which is more fun. Happy is beter than sad. Partying together sounds superior to sharing each other's grief. It certainly seems that laughing must be a better tonic for us than crying. In a relentless effort to discover new ways to become intoxicated with happiness, we virtually isolate ourselves from any opportunity to learn how to drink from the well of sobering events in life that are inevitable, irreversible and for some--insurmountable. The next verse continues:

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:3 NIV) If you've never had a friend share your grief, this verse probably sounds nonsensical; if you have, you know how it 'does your heart good' to know your friend is willing to share your grief with you. Great strength comes from friends sharing each other's grief. Conversely, one of the disappointing things is to see people avoiding others going through a difficult time because they either don't want, or know how, to share their grief. Why are some so willing to offer comfort, while others avoid even a slight encounter with the grief-stricken? The next verse explains: The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. (Ecclesiastes 7:4 NIV) The wise have not been running away from tough times (in the house of mourning); they faced the adversities head on...and dealt with them appropriately. The fools, on the other hand, have spent their entire lives looking for 'happiness' (in the house of pleasure). No way they were going to get caught in the 'house of mourning'! Because of their different choices, only one of these two groups has the capacity for comfort and compassion.

A couple of verses later, Solomon seems to shift from mourning to a different topic. But it really isnÕt different. The topic is the same...a contrast of the wise and the fool; only the issue is different:

{7} Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. {8} The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. {9} Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. {10} Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. {11} Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. {12} Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. (Ecclesiastes 7:7-12 NIV)

Verse 7 speaks of extortion. Webster's defines extort: "to obtain from a person by force or threats..." Who is the extortionist? Who is being extorted? What are they stealing? What 'force' do they use? Well, brace yourselves...we are the extortionists--and the victims!

In this self-inflicted crime, the commodity stolen isnÕt money...it's wisdom. The 'force' we use to threaten ourselves with is money--or the loss of it; we convince ourselves that money is the shelter we need from adversity...not wisdom.

Verse 8 offers the wise advice we should heed when the threat of losing our money raises its ugly head: "The end is better than the beginning, and patience is better than pride." In other words, things might look bad at first, but they'll be fine when this matter is over.

Patience and pride? They are the two forces fighting inside us if our money threatens to let us down. Pride is very offended when we encounter financial setbacks. It says to us, "What will everyone think?" Patience, on the other hand, will enable us to work through our setback and bring us humbly out the other side to the end of the matter.

Verses 9 and 10 depict an angry person screaming inside himself, "Wisdom! Patience! Remember the Good Ol' Days when we were 'rollin' in the dough'? That's what I want: money...not wisdom and patience!"

In verse 11, Solomon throws his endorsement to wisdom, but apparently feels the reader may not be convinced. Finally, in an attempt to offer one last convincing thought to the wise-but-soon-to-be-turned-fool, Solomon acknowledges in verse 12 that even though both of the elixirs will offer shelter from the storms of life, the reader should notice the warning label around the vial of Money before he chugs it down: This Stuff Will Kill You! (adding back verse 7). It will turn you from a wise man into a fool; it will corrupt your heart! Which vial did he drink? Well, as I guess you figured out by now, it's one of those stories where each of us makes up a new ending every day. (I just hope I remember which vial has the Skull and Crossbones on it!"

A few centuries later, the apostle Paul summed up a lifetime of making the right choice: I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13 NASB)

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