Finding Peace in Adversity and Prosperity: A Lesson from Ecclesiastes

Life often brings us to moments where we experience highs and lows, prosperity and adversity. Sometimes these contrasts happen so rapidly, it’s difficult to make sense of them. It seems like globally, the last few years have seen so many of these shifts, it can almost give one whiplash. Recently, a verse from Ecclesiastes came up in Sunday school, and it reminded me of God’s purpose in both the good and challenging times we face:

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. | Ecclesastes 7:14

This verse offers a profound reminder of God’s presence and plan in our lives, whether we’re celebrating or struggling. Let’s explore what this means for us today.

Understanding Life’s Highs and Lows Through Ecclesiastes

The Balance Between Joy and Adversity

Ecclesiastes is a book that examines life’s various stages, asking tough questions about purpose, joy, and suffering. In Ecclesiastes 7:14, we see the acknowledgment that life is made up of both joyful and difficult days. We are encouraged to embrace the good times and reflect deeply during the hard times. Each season has its purpose, and God has carefully designed them both to draw us to Himself.

Why Both Are Necessary for Spiritual Growth

The coexistence of joy and adversity isn’t just a coincidence. It’s part of God’s plan to grow us spiritually into the image of Jesus. In prosperous times, we see God’s blessings and learn gratitude. In challenging times, we are refined and reminded of our dependence on Him. Without adversity, our flesh tends to become complacent, forgetting our need for God’s guidance. Without prosperity, we might lose hope and struggle to see His goodness. Together, they work to shape a balanced, humble, and grateful heart that remembers God’s goodness and glorifies Him for His plan.

God’s Hand in Every Season: Days of Prosperity and Adversity

How God Orchestrates Life’s Seasons

Reflecting on the past few years, it’s clear that life brings moments of joy interspersed with trials. We’ve seen times of national and global prosperity, and we’ve faced challenges such as political upheaval, economic struggles, and even the pandemic. Ecclesiastes 7:14 reminds us that God sets both prosperity and adversity side by side. Neither surprises Him, and both serve His greater purpose to bring us to Him.

But God doesn’t just allow adversity on a global scale—He also works in our personal valleys. A couple of years ago, I went through one of the hardest physical trials of my life. After months of unexplained, intermittent pain in my back, we finally discovered I had three kidney stones, each between 7 and 8 millimeters, lodged in my left kidney. When the CT scan came back and I shared it with my family, my brother-in-law pointed out what he jokingly called a “hidden Mickey Mouse” shape on my left side. Let me tell you—not the kind of Disney magic anyone dreams about.

It took over two months just to get in to see a urologist, thanks to a frustrating string of delays with record transfers, insurance battles, and scheduling issues. Then it was another two months before I could even have surgery to remove the stones. By that time, they had grown from between 7 and 8 millimeters to between 8 and 9—just one more reminder that even the waiting was hard. When the surgery finally happened, we thought the worst was behind us—until I landed right back in the hospital with a kidney infection, which set my recovery back by several more months. In many ways, it felt like starting over.

For the better part of seven months, I was unable to do much of anything that required me to be upright. I couldn’t stand for more than five minutes without being in significant pain. During that season, I still worked as much as I could and tried to attend church as often as possible. But if you’re a tired mom like me, let me just say—six months in pain, working part-time, and then coming home only to lie down because you can’t perform basic housework tasks—is not restful. It’s isolating, discouraging, and emotionally exhausting.

I didn’t always respond with grace. There were days I was short-tempered, discouraged, and angry—with my coworkers, my family, and honestly, with the Lord. But He gave me strength well beyond what I thought I could handle. Even when I felt like I couldn’t take one more day, He carried me. He was present in the pain, and His grace sustained me—even when I couldn’t see it clearly in the moment.

Now, when I read Ecclesiastes 7:14, I understand it a little differently. God truly does set the day of prosperity and the day of adversity side by side—not to confuse us, but to call us to Himself in every season.

Learning to Trust in God During Both Good and Hard Times

One of the key takeaways from Ecclesiastes is that God’s sovereignty extends over every aspect of our lives. Whether we are in a season of celebration or trial—nationally or personally—He is in control. Knowing this allows us to trust Him fully. Just as God controls the big picture, He also oversees the smallest details of our individual lives.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. | James 1:17

Even the hard times in our lives can be good gifts as they draw us closer to God in the struggle.

If that verse is familiar to you—but still hard to live out—you might enjoy our blog post, Trusting God with All Your Heart: A Deeper Look at Proverbs 3:5-6. It takes a closer look at what it means to actually let go of our understanding and trust God in the thick of uncertainty.

Applying Ecclesiastes 7:14 to Our Daily Lives

Finding Joy in Prosperity: A Gift from God

It’s natural to enjoy the good times. When we find ourselves in seasons of prosperity, it’s important to rejoice and be thankful. Recognize these moments as gifts from God. Take time to celebrate the blessings in your life, whether it’s a new job, a healthy family, or simply a peaceful day.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. | Psalm 118:24

Finding Strength in Adversity: Leaning on Faith

In times of adversity, it’s easy to question why things aren’t going well. These are the moments when we are invited to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Adversity teaches us to trust God more deeply, as He is our ultimate source of strength and comfort. Reflecting on Ecclesiastes 7:14 helps us understand that adversity has a purpose—to draw us closer to Him.

I saw this truth firsthand during my long recovery. In the thick of it, the verse I held onto wasn’t about strength or understanding—it was about mercy.

It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. | Lamentations 3:22–23

I would whisper that phrase—“we are not consumed”—to myself on the hardest days. The pain was overwhelming at times, and so was the discouragement. But every single morning, the Lord met me with just enough mercy for that day. Not always in ways I could feel or see immediately, but always in ways that sustained me.

One simple thing that helped me during that time was keeping Scripture close—literally. I had our Verses for Anxiety card set tucked beside me at home and another copy at my desk. That card with Lamentations 3:22–23 became my lifeline on more than one tearful afternoon. If you're walking through your own hard season, these verse cards might be a sweet reminder to your heart like they were to mine.

Practical Tips for Relying on God Every Day

1. Start your day with prayer: Begin each day by asking God to help you submit to His plans, whether you expect a smooth day or a challenging one.

2. Celebrate the small wins: Don’t wait for big events to express gratitude to the Lord. Acknowledge even the little things that bring joy.

3. Turn to Scripture in difficult times: The Bible is filled with promises of God’s faithfulness. Let verses like Romans 8:28 (“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…”) remind you of His presence in every situation.

4. Stay connected to a local church: Share your joys and challenges with those who will pray with you and encourage you, and serve the Lord with gladness in His local church body.
   
   

A Prayer for Peace in All Seasons

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of every season in life. In times of prosperity, help us to be grateful and to share our blessings with others. In times of adversity, remind us of Your constant love and help us to lean on You more deeply. Thank You for being our steady rock, no matter what life brings. May we always trust in Your perfect plan. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.