My Friend Adversity
My Friend, Adversity
by Sylvia van Velzer
Mother of dread, how many times i've prayed you away.
Bearer of bad news, party pooper, my worse nightmare
Unpredictable, tenacious, a no respecter whatsoever
The sum of all my pain, you make me cringe i swear!
You never wait for an invitation, nor need any welcome mat
Like a diva you won't be snubbed, hello, you just show up
The hell you found my number, surprise, surprise!
You marked me like an assasin, 'was stunned and shocked
You made sure i agonized deep, I felt dead, but really was not
How you disrupted life's sweet flow, man, you robbed my joy
I thought i heard, 'pray or mock God', careful with your choice
Like Job in the Bible, i found myself ask, why i was even born.
That was then, with so many visits, we've become acquainted
You've unmasked, you're an ally, my toughest teacher yet
A goldsmiths as well, you pick gems to shape and refine
Dross you remove, the stale status quos, for me to shine?
And! You call me a "diamond in the rough"? I had much doubt
Chip away you went, twas not enough, you put me through the fire!
Holy! The furnace was hot, but grace you sent, i was unscathed
Then you promised, 'rest for now, we're not done, I'll be back!
The End
I know adversity well, which inspired me to write this piece. I was 16 years old when I lost a brother who took his own life and left us confused as a family. My parents separated after being married for close to 30 years and as kids, we had to deal with so much pain and bitterness, which went on for a long long time. My first marriage failed, and my husband of 28 years died of cancer. My daughter went through several traumatic miscarriages, we felt as if heaven was close to receive our prayers. But we were proven wrong. Our life has been filled with so many miracles, we have been amazed, knocking our socks off! It's tough dealing with tragedies, as we see so much unfold all around us. Yet, we clearly see the 'Unseen Hand' of God who moves in our midst, to help us overcome, give comfort when we need it, and strenghten us and build our faith.
Some quotes to help encourage us when we are visited by adversity...
"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small"-Proverbs 24:10
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed"- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". -Philippians 4:12-13
