“Judging from the way the story is told they [the Israelites in Exodus 15:22-27] were not far from the oasis. But God had other plans for them, to see if they would trust Him wholeheartedly and obey. They did not do very well this first time, and they will have to learn how to obey. The lesson is clear: God uses adversity to test His people’s loyalty. The response to adversity must be prayer to God, for He can turn the bitter into the sweet, the bad into the good, and the prospect of death into life.” (NET Bible, Exodus 15:27)
“…in this time of trial, as in all times of adversity, we seek to understand the divine purpose for our testing. Yet the Lord may not reveal the reason to us, at least not until we are ready to receive it. Instead, we must intensify our prayers for the faith to trust that God will make something good out of what seems to be bad for us and something for our benefit out of what seems to be harmful to us…Sometimes we must be humbled by adversity before we will look up and see The Lord..." (Fr. Basil, Life Application Study Bible, Psalms 83:13-18)
“Sadly, it often happens that we forget God in the difficulties we have in our lives. Instead of turning to Him, humanity tries to face the adversity and sorrows of life alone. This only increases suffering, and when resolution or relief cannot be found, they lose hope. For those Christians who have put their faith and trust in the benevolent Lord, doing all that they can in every situation, a different result can be seen. By giving ourselves over completely to the divine will of God, we find peace instead of despair. Our All Loving God will always be at our side!” (Metropolitan of Pisidia Sotirios)
“Imagine meeting someone who is so strong, resolute, full of conviction, and filled with zeal. The qualities of his or her undaunted faith could not help but have a powerful impact on you. Those with such confidence in the face of adversity create an aura around them. Their presence is a refuge of grace amid the storms of our life, a shelter of thanksgiving amid the worries and cares of life. But what if we could be that sort of faithful person for our friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances around us? Paul believes that we can, writing more than once, “Imitate me” (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). The result is that faith in God’s grace and thanksgiving for His mercy would indeed increase and reach more and more people to the Glory of God.” (Fr. Basil)
“Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one has. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they reveal what he is….Adversity removes the cloak of “what we are supposed to be” to reveal the truth of what we are…How strange it is, Lord, that we require the bitter-sweet force of adversity—in all its various forms—to fully ripen us in our walk with You. (Thomas à Kempis, Charles Stanley, Rebecca Lusignolo)
“God has entrusted every single person with a measure of adversity…Times of adversity are always times of opportunity." (James MacDonald, Warren Wiersbe)
"Often God allows us a period of waiting to show ourselves, and others, how we react and what we do in the face of difficulty, for it is only in adversity that virtue will be made manifest." (Archimandrite Sergius)
"...it is the mark of a courageous and noble soul not to despair in adversity. (St. John of Karpathos)
“Adversity—It can drive us to our knees in despair and depression or it can drive us to our knees in humble recognition of our dependence on the Father. It’s our choice." (Rebecca Lusignolo)
“Adversity destroys this superficial faith. But adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms.” (Life Application Study Bible, Job 1:9)