Adversity and Loss are Better

I know, my title is not exactly awe inspiring, but I do believe it is accurate based on my closer examination and what God’s Word gives.

“¹A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. ²It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.” – Ecclesiastes 7:1-3 (ESV)

When I read God’s Word above, I am taken to any time I have experienced loss or adversity. Ultimately we come out the other side better for having gone through the experience. We have taken time to think deeply and cherish more of those things around us. Our adversity or loss have driven more introspection and learning, thereby giving us the opportunity to grow.

Now think about the “good” times we experience. Where they are wonderful to have and enjoy while going through them, I do not feel the same growth and learning when I come out the other side. I will remember the time itself and reflect on the experience as a “fun” and “good” time, however other than the memory of the experience, not much else materializes.

I am not saying and would not recommend we are out there seeking adversity and loss, for that would be a bit counter intuitive to living a life of Christ. What I will say is that when we do experience the loss and adversity we should look at that time as one of contemplation and introspection and learning. It is not the adversity that defines us, but what we learn from it that makes us better.

When you look at adversity and loss, what is your take? Are you able to embrace the opportunity for growth? Are you able to grasp that adversity and loss are better?