All is Not Lost

Every person regardless of who they are will face adversity at some point or another. That is part of living under the curse of the fall. But it is also part of how we develop as human beings. God puts humans through adversity so that they can grow in dependence on him, but also so that they can help and encourage others.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 
2 Cor 1:3-4

A number of weeks ago I watched the movie All is Lost starring Robert Redford. I knew the premise of the movie going in, but I never realized how empty a movie can be without knowing how the characters background and how they respond to adversity. The only inkling we have in this movie of the character is the brief time in the beginning where we see a note that tells he is sorry. They could have easily put a robot in the role. There was no human character to identify with.

We need many questions answered about this guy:

• Why was in the boat making the trip?
• Who were the people that cared about him?
• What was his faith?
• Did he have regrets?

Spoiler alert - in the end he is rescued, but I found myself not really caring whether he did or not without knowing who this guy is. We root for those who go through adversity and come out better people. A persons character comes out when we see them in the crucible - in a trial by fire. As the verses say - it strengthens our relationship with a heavenly Father and with others. Otherwise, all indeed is lost.