Are We A Graduate Of Adversity?

History tells us that when a society becomes addicted to pleasure and luxury, it soon ceases to exist through self-destruction. Tribulation ensures our survival by helping to instill within us the qualities of discipline, independence, and creativity. Paul said that adversity helps create perseverance, character, and hope.

In Romans 5:3-4, the apostle Paul writes:

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [endurance]; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.“

Christians who have graduated from the “school of hard knocks” [adversity] should be individuals who have grown the most (1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 2:1-5).

Are we a graduate?

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets