Positive Adversity

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” — author Anne Bradstreet

“…if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” –entertainer Dolly Parton

“Don’t take every challenge as a problem, take every problem as a challenge.” –source unknown

These notions all remind me of Yin and Yang, the ancient Chinese philosophy that teaches dualism– that obviously opposite forces are actually complementary, working together in an interdependent nature. We need the bad to appreciate the good. We need disruption to appreciate peace.

Got teaches us this. God wants us to understand balance in life which may require patience in hard times and will allow for joy and appreciation in good times.

Proverbs 1:11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight.

Ecclesiastes 7:16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise.

It would seem that life dishes out positivity and negativity and it is our job to walk both paths with understanding, truly knowing that both seasons do not last. Did you ever get through a difficult season in life and years later reflect on it wondering how you did it? God brought the balance. The temporary trauma, no matter how painful, will have its more positive counterpart eventually. Yin/Yang.

The best part of all of this is that God is present in times of both good and bad. His unfailing support is available when we cry or when we rejoice. God is there for the mere asking. His faithfulness endures.