The Balance Between Prosperity and Adversity....

There must be a balance between prosperity and adversity. God knows this, even though we don’t. Ask yourself this question: when in your life have you grown the most? I mean, when has your character been stretched and developed the most? Was it when you won a game or passed an exam or got something you desired? Or was it when you experienced some adversity and suffered some setback? When we align our outlook and desires with God, we start to see this as an unalterable happening. A life without God seeks prosperity, seeing it as the ultimate goal. People on this pursuit of prosperity end up dissatisfied because they eventually realize things don’t satisfy. Getting that raise at work, a “better” this or that, going on a better vacation, or even pursuing a “better” relationship at the expense of the one you currently have, won’t satisfy the longing of the soul for significance that only God can bring. It’s understanding your place, role, and purpose, where true significance is found. “Getting what you want” isn’t always a good thing. It won’t change a hardened heart. It won’t bring the satisfaction you think it will. Here’s a perfect example of this. The Israelites were complaining about wanting food. God reigns down bread from Heaven. Then they complain about wanting meat. God gives them meat. They weren’t satisfied or grateful. Their hearts were hard. Nothing can satisfy the soul like the presence of God. And we will never see that until we realize this truth. The most important things in life are not things. And until we see God as our One and only source of significance, we will always be tempted to believe prosperity is the “ultimate goal” in this life.

But He commanded the skies to open;He opened the doors of heaven.24 He rained down manna for them to eat;He gave them bread from heaven.25 They ate the food of angels!God gave them all they could hold.26 He released the east wind in the heavens and guided the south wind by His mighty power.27 He rained down meat as thick as dust–birds as plentiful as the sand on the seashore!28 He caused the birds to fall within their camp and all around their tents.29 The people ate their fill. He gave them what they craved.30 But before they satisfied their craving,while the meat was yet in their mouths,31 the anger of God rose against them,and He killed their strongest men. He struck down the finest of Israel’s young men. 32 But in spite of this, the people kept sinning. Despite His wonders, they refused to trust Him.33 So He ended their lives in failure, their years in terror. Psalms 78:23c-33