What Use is Adversity?
The Utility of Adversity
In this twelfth Chapter, Thomas brings us into the notion spoken of in Pro
verbs 27:17, “As Iron sharpens iron; so one person sharpens another.” Our adversity has utility: bringing us closer to one another, closer to humility and closer to The Lord. Indeed, why do we pray, do good works, go to Mass, write blogs about the Faith, protest abortion, etc? It certainly does NOT make us the wunderkind of the community. These activities usually bring us derision, and so we “offer it up” for our own sins, and those of the whole world.
Until next time, be Imitators of Christ!
Book 1: Chapter 12 On the Utility of Adversity
It is good for us to have some troubles and adversities; for these make you as a disciple enter into yourself, that you may know that you are in a state of banishment, and that you may not place your hopes in anything of this world.
St. Christopher* & Christ
It is good that we sometimes suffer derision and that there are those who have an evil or imperfect opinion of us even when we do and intend good things. These things are often a help to to us to practice humility and defend ourselves against vainglory. This makes it easier to run to God, our inward Witness, when outwardly we are despised by our enemies and little credit is given to us.
2. Therefore, as a disciple, you should so establish yourself in God so as to have no need of seeking comforts from anyone else. When a disciple of good will is troubled, or tempted, or afflicted with evil
thoughts, then it is easier to understand the need for God, without Whom you can do no good (John 15:5). The disciple then also laments, sighs, and prays, by reason of the miseries suffered. Then the disciple, weary of living longer, and wishing death to come so that prays to be “dissolved and be with Christ (Phil 1:23).” Then also the disciple will perceive that perfect security and full peace cannot be found in this world.
*I put St. Christopher here, since here is one guy who suffered derision to the point that historians even doubt whether or not he existed. But yet, he, or his representative, carried Christ, our inward witness. As we carry Christ, we can more easily wade the deep waters that trouble us in our daily walk. St. Christopher, please pray for us!