The Importance of Opposition

by John Michalak

Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

Micah 7:8

Can you name a book or movie you’ve enjoyed, where there was absolutely no presence of conflict? Where Mr. and Mrs. Jones lived their lives with no problems, got everything they wanted, and faced no obstacles at all?

Perhaps you can, but it probably wasn’t a very good story.

Most good stories require two elements: a desire for something, and some type of opposition to achieving that desire. It’s only in experiencing what it takes to achieve things in life where a story truly becomes interesting.

And so it is with your life story and mine. We live life desiring things: love, purpose, stability. But we face opposition in achieving these desires. We endure challenging relationships; we struggle to overcome past hurts; we sometimes even oppose ourselves, becoming our own worst enemy in achieving the things we desire.

But, what also makes for a good story is a hero. Someone who helps us endure and overcome. So, if you’ve experienced opposition from others, your environment, or from yourself, turn to our hero, God, to help you overcome.

In seeking the things you desire, you may fall, but Jesus will help you rise. You may face darkness, but God will light the way.

Prayer: Lord, help us see you as the Hero of our story, the One who will help us overcome.