I don’t know about you, but I don’t live in the crystal-clear shallows of
a peaceful tropical ocean. I have absolutely no conception of such a blissful
existence. My life is more like the deep sea when a sudden storm pops up. That’s
the way it’s always been for me.
Rough times are a part of most peoples’ lives. In fact, many individuals
go through setbacks they fear will defeat them.
Personally, I have been through so many tempests powerful enough to
crush me, I’ve lost count by now. Yet, I’m still here. So are you. We are still
standing, and we are stronger than we were previous to our trials. Aren’t we?
The great philosopher, Friedrich Nietzche, gave us one of the most famous
quotes on the topic: “That which does not
kill us, makes us stronger.” Truer words were never said! Of all the
quotes I learned during my liberal arts college career, this one stands out.
How do hardships
make us tougher?
They strengthen our
inner core of faith and confidence. While our bodies and minds may seem to be
sickly, weak, or confused, we have a reservoir of divine power in our souls. It’s
usually in our darkest times that we are able to/forced to truly connect with
it.
Trees
This is a
regular hardwood tree. It is the kind of tree that will bend and crack in
severe storms. Its roots are not deep enough to survive high winds, and its
trunk will not move with the strong winds.
Conversely,
the palm tree can survive hurricanes. How does it accomplish this amazing feat?
It can bend into an almost horizontal position with the winds. When the storm
has passed, the tree will usually return to its regular height, or close to it,
as if nothing has happened. In addition, tempests strengthen the palm tree’s
root system.
Jack
He is an
older friend who has had health challenges for most of his life. Particularly in
recent years, he has been overwhelmed with numerous operations. We really didn’t
know how long he’d survive after the last one. I’m not saying it’s good that he
has been miserable for decades. However, here’s how he became stronger:
- Kinder, gentler disposition
- Eats healthier
- Lost quite a bit of weight
The Bible
This is an image of the young shepherd boy, David, and the giant Philistine, Goliath. The story of their fight is found in I Samuel, chapter 17. David won the battle, but everything was against him:
- No armor
- No training as a warrior
- Small stature
David’s
trial, his “Goliath”, promoted him in the end. The poor, small shepherd boy who
was disrespected by his own family became king over a united Israel within two
decades. He needed to overcome huge
trials in order to prepare for his true calling: the monarchy.
My Conclusion
For more about strength through
trials, please view my book, Accept No Trash
Talk: Overcoming the Odds.
How have
your setbacks set you up for a better life?
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