9/27 Consider

Consider

Ecclesiastes 7:14

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.”

I have made the statement many times, "Life is a series of mountains and valleys." If you lived for any length of time, you no doubt understand that life has its ups and downs. At times life will be great and then at times life will become hard. But, life is a series of mountains and valleys. In this verse we are told what to do in the mountains and valleys of life.

God tells us in the "day of prosperity be joyful." When the days come when everything is going well, you had better enjoy those days to their fullest. In other words, what God wants you to learn is that when times are good, enjoy the goodness that you have. For instance, while your health is good, use your health to its fullest and enjoy having good health. When finances are plenteous, be joyful over the fact that you have finances to take care of your needs. What God wants you to do is to stop griping over what you don't have and enjoy what you do have. Too many people in the good times complain about what they don't have and don't enjoy what God has given to them. You had better enjoy what you have because the day of adversity is going to come, and when it comes, you will wish you had the day of prosperity back. So while you have the day of prosperity, enjoy it.

Then we are told to “consider” in the day of adversity. The word "consider" means "to ponder; to study; to meditate on; to view with careful examination." In other words when adversity comes in life, instead of looking at the adversity, God wants you to consider your life. Let me give you a few things you can consider when adversity comes your way.

First of all, consider how good God has been to you. Instead of complaining about the adversity, you ought to look at life and remember how good God has been to you to give you what you have.

Secondly, consider that in your life you have probably had more good than bad. In most cases, God has blessed us far more than He has sent hard times our way. What happens to most when adversity comes, the adversity seems to overtake our minds and seems to be bigger than all the good that we have had in the past. This is why you must stop and consider your whole life, and realize you have had more good in life than bad.

Thirdly, consider that you don't have it as bad as others. Somebody somewhere has it worse than you. You ought to consider that you don't have it as bad as others do.

Fourthly, consider what God is trying to teach you in times of adversity. Let me remind you that God sends adversity to help you grow and to show you things that you need to correct in your life. Now take the time to consider what God wants you to correct and correct it. Consider where God wants you to grow and be sure to grow in that area.

Lastly, consider that you are going to a place someday where there will be no adversity. Just remember that Heaven is not that far away. One day soon we all will be in that place called Heaven and all adversity will be gone forever. Let’s let the day of adversity become a day of joy by considering these areas.