The Color of Adversity

The Color of Adversity: Adversity reveals beauty that comfort conceals

A friend* posted a picture of a tree in her community. It is not AI-generated. There is a stark contrast between each half of the tree, as you can see. One side is a brilliant pink (my friends who know colors can give a better description). While the other is still green. Same tree. Same roots. The only difference is that one side faces the chill sooner, while the other stays warm a little longer because it’s closer to the water.

My friend was asking for a caption. It made me think about the fact that one side was facing adversity (the cold) sooner than the other. The cold side reacted in color. It reminds me of the Bible verse - James 1: 2 - 4 (KJV) “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

My caption, after some reflection, was "Adversity reveals beauty that comfort conceals." Warmth keeps us safe, but it rarely brings out our best. The seasons of pressure, loss, or struggle, with God’s grace, reveal His beauty reflected in us.

* Photo credit to Joy Crain Boudreu

“Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”

―Elizabeth Barrett Browning

1 Peter 1:6-9 (NKJV)

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not [d]seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.