Adversity is the true test of our faith. God brings different types of experiences and circumstance into our life so that we may learn valuable lessons from them. The most important thing adversity can do for us is to bring us to a higher level of thinking and understanding as we pass through each test of faith, or lesson. These lessons have the ability to change our perception of the world around us and strengthen our relationship with God. However, we must be willing to acknowledge that the adversity we are going through will bring something positive into our life. When we are faced with adversity, there are two very clear choices. First, do we become negative, hostile, question God’s will, and even forsake God’s company? Or the other choice we have is to remain positive, calm, loving, compassionate, and continue to remember God. The Bible says, “if thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10). What good is our faith if it is never tested or has never stood the true test of a storm?
The easiest thing in the world is to live life without any challenges, but this would probably lead to nothing of significance being achieved in our lives. The most remarkable thing in the world is to live with the challenges, the ups and downs, without breaking your spirit.
The most incredible people in the world are those who have experienced the test of faith over and over again in different forms but have remained constant in their faithfulness. Spiritual growth begins the moment we go from one test of faith to the next unruffled in our state of mind and being.
Even a kite rises higher against the wind and not with it – I believe this to be true even for human beings and spiritual growth. Just like a tree that is deeply rooted can sustain a storm, so is the life of a person of faith. Our roots need to be planted so firmly that we remain positive and unshaken by adversity.
We learn some of life’s most important lessons through difficult experiences and times. Herodotus, a Greek philosopher, said, “adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a person that would have lain dormant in its absence.” What is meant by this quote is, when we are able to respond positively to adversity, characteristics of strength and courage come to surface and remain with us. It is only then we are able to remain like the lotus flower, which is considered to one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. It is not considered beautiful because of its colors but rather it’s quality to bloom beautifully inspite of the muddy water beneath it. Can we still bloom beautifully despite the challenges of life? His Holiness Nirankari Baba often said, devotees should live like flowers and spread fragrance even in adverse situations and the fragrance of spirituality must remain present always.
In the end, for spiritual growth to occur our faith must be tested over and over again, from one phase of life to the next. A student can only move from one grade to the next, as he or she successfully completes the tests administered by the examination board. This is important to determine what the student has learned, where there is need for improvement, and sometimes to make the student reflect on his or her own learning.
If we pass these tests of faith, standing tall in the face of adverse circumstances, the experiences will bring us to a place of higher understanding and awareness. There will be self-reflection and growth, wherever it is needed. His Holiness has often emphasized the importance of Saints and Prophets, who delivered such sublime teachings of truth, love, faith and humanity. However, these messages are easily lost and forgotten in times of adversity. The recent mass exodus from Syria and other war torn parts of the world do bring tensions and financial strain on countries who harbor the refugees and victims – however, these are tests for our wider communities, governments and for each of us as individual citizens. From a humanitarian point of view, human values decline when the message of love and oneness is forgotten. Rather, His Holiness has always reminded us of these valuable precepts so that we may live in peace and harmony within, and with others, even during adverse times.
– Rajvir L. Raheja (Seattle)
