We all encounter misfortune in our lives. It comes upon us in many different forms and sometimes quite unexpectedly. Even Jesus was confronted with difficulties during his three years of ministry. At these times, he forthrightly confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees with words that left them speechless; on other occasions he went off by himself to commune with his Heavenly Father, to receive the strength and peace of mind to cope with life; during his trial and crucifixion he met the conflict in silent suffering.
The Apostles James and Peter wrote letters to Christians scattered in various parts of the known world explaining to them about the need to have faith and to endure during their times of suffering. Some of their words were:-
“My brothers, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.” (James I:2,3 Good News)
“Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine.” (I Peter I:6,7 Good News)
I recently received the following message from a friend that may illustrate a way to cope with misfortune. Something to think about: A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee... A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?”
“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.
Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked. “What does it mean, mother?” Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. When misfortune knocks on your door, how do you respond? “Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean”?
Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you handle misfortune? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? May you have the faith to endure your adversity and respond like the coffee bean.
Bill Gillard