I hope it was the title of this post that compelled you to click. I know it sounds ridiculous. How can darkness produce any kind of treasure?

My family and I went on a 9 to 10 days Norwegian Vacation Cruise to the Islands of Hawaii a few weeks ago. On board the ship, I signed up to do a workshop entitled, “Eat more to weigh less.”

You can imagine how happy I was, given the fact that there are more than 4 or 5 restaurants on the ship; not counting the other 3 or 4 spaces where the most delicious food (buffet style) is served all day long.

Unfortunately, my hopes came crashing down when the fitness coach told us to stay away from all the “good stuff.” You know, the foods that are really bad for you. And yes, the ones you really like. She told us to eat more of the “good stuff.” You know, your kale and broccoli sprouts.

So when I first read the Oswald Chambers’ devotional, based on his book, The Philosophy of Sin,  I was a bit apprehensive when I saw these two words – “treasures of darkness.” “What good can come out of darkness?” I asked myself. But the following question in the devotional, put things a bit into perspective for me:

Which are the days that have furthered you most in the knowledge of God—the days of sunshine and peace and prosperity or your days of calamity and adversity?

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, my life is so much richer, fuller and better because of the many adversities God allowed me to go through. God doesn’t bring tragedies and calamities into our lives. But I have seen Him use them for our good:

The great producers

God can use adversities to produce something in you that you could never have experienced on a sun shining day driving a very expensive convertible down the highway.

Check this out: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-5

The strength of weakness

God can use adversities to not only assure you but also provide a paradigm shift to know that even when you’re weak, you’re strong.

Check this out: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

More than a conqueror

God can empower and equip you for battle through adversities. Knowing that you can never go down in defeat if the Lord is one my side.

Check this out: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation.” Romans 8:37-39

Treasure in jars of clay

God can give you opportunities to testify of His life give power. He can allow you to carry the aroma of life everywhere you go – even in the midst of adversities.

Check this out: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Refiner’s fire

God can help refine my faith, purify my life and sharpen my focus on what’s important through adversities.

Check this out: “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7

Eternal glory outweighs them all

God can, and often He does make me laugh at adversities; especially when I compare them to the glory to come and the blessed hope we have in Jesus. Sometimes I feel like shouting – “is that all you got.”

Check this out: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Jesus said, “In this world,  you will have many tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We live in a fallen world. Bad things are bound to happen. Adversity is everywhere. This post is not advocating more of it. However, we believe that even though we live in a fallen world and adversity is not good, God can still use it to bring about good in our lives.

Finally, all things work together for good

Adversities remind me of the creative power of God. He takes the good; the bad and the ugly; puts them all together and makes something beautiful out of them.

Check this out: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Let me leave you with the backbone of this post:

We would never know the “treasures of darkness” if we were always in the place of placid security. Oswald Chambers

What do you think about that?