Judging Those Who Face Adversity

     What do you do when adversity comes your way?  Do you stand up and face whatever mountain is in your path, or do you cover your head and beg for it to end?  Many times this simple decision can decide a substantial portion of your life and also your character.  Why we all will usually say 'I would stand tall and rely on God, never wavering', and we tend to judge those who don't when their challenge is at hand.  Easy words of condemnation can have devastating effects on those we deem as failing.

     When we read through the Bible we are told by Paul to gently restore the fallen brother or sister in Christ, but our human tendency is to think 'A little tough love is what they need'.  One question for you to think about...did you ever read of Jesus catching a person in sin and His reaction was to strike them verbally across the face and tell them they deserve the trial they are going through?  The answer is no.  The opposite is actually the case.  When He came across those who were judging (the Pharisees) Jesus would rebuke them and gently restore those who had been humbled.  

     We must remember that we ALL go through trials and tests in this life, and when you're a seasoned Christian you may handle it better than others, but don't let that lead to you thinking you are better than the one who struggles.  God is allowing the challenge to enter into their lives and is there to pick them up when they fall, and that is how we should be.  We need to encourage those who have fallen into sin, or who have a mountain of trials standing in front of them.  So next time you see that homeless person, or person in the back of the church, go up and give them a hug and encourage them to keep fighting the good fight and that God loves them very much!

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee