by Pastor John Kim

Jonathan Edwards Resolution #57
Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. (June 9, and July 13 1723)

When life throws us a curveball and takes our MS Outlook planned schedule and turns it all upside down, many can’t help but react with anger, frustration, anxiety, and a sense of uncertainty because it feels like we are not in control. The truth is that we really do not have much control, if any at all, over the circumstances around us, whether it be through relationships or through events. But the one thing that we do have some measure of control is how we respond to adversity and misfortune. As Jonathan Edwards points out there, his responsibility is to examine whether he has done his duty and to accept the events that come as God’s providential order. The other aspect that he is concerned about is a sinful response. Oftentimes we justify having a sinful attitude because we feel that the circumstances have caused us to have a sinful attitude, when in fact sin is always a choice. No one makes you sin, just as no one makes you angry. You have a choice to be angry. You don’t have to be angry. You can choose to be anxious. You don’t have to be anxious. This is not to say it is easy to not be anxious. It is a tremendous challenge to choose to be at peace amidst circumstances that are trying. Yet James 1:2 is very specific and clear regarding the choice we should make.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It’s not IF we encounter various trials but WHEN we encounter various trials that we must consider it all joy. There is a God-ordained purpose in our trials – it is to produce endurance. Without endurance we will surely fall to temptation and struggles too easily and so we must build a sense of perseverance that only comes as we are trained or disciplined through hardships.

Our duty and responsibility is to choose to have attitudes and act out in such a way that is worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) and particularly when we are being tested through misfortune and adversity. Just like Job, can we follow in his example in response to the tidal wave of misfortune that caused him to lose everything within a span of minutes?

Job 1:20-22 (ESV)
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

It is a tough path to walk but it is possible when we choose to rest in the sovereignty of God and trust that in His loving grace and mercy He will accomplish His good purposes that we have yet to see or understand but that our responsibility is to act in such a way that shows our reliance on His grace and to not sin or charge God with wrong when we go through difficult times.

I can tell you that this is not an easy choice to make. There have been too many occasions where I have struggled greatly with making a choice not to sin or blame God when things are not going well. Even this past week there have been tests to my faith that are difficult to swallow because they involve people and situations that are very delicate and sensitive and it seems like the outcome is going to be pain and hurt, possibly even people leaving the church. But that is where we trust in God and our duty is to respond with a loving submission that obeys the Lord in choosing to act with godly character and humility in righteousness.

Let us follow Jonathan Edwards in his resolutions to pursue holiness in every aspect of life, even in response to trials. Trials are going to come and we must be prepared with an attitude that chooses God over circumstances.

In His grace,
Pastor John