Dealing with Adversity

By Dennis Pickering

"Blesses are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." - Matthew
5:4

Each day I receive several letters from people who are facing adversity,
some are confronted with the loss of financial resources, some have
serious health problems, while others are faced with the loss of a loved
one either through death or divorce.
Some of these people are bitter about these problems and blame others
for them. While others rejoice in there problems and look at them as
positive challenges in their lives.

None of us are exempt from the challenges of life and although sorrows
come to us unwanted, they leave us with our choicest blessings. Through
hours of mourning and introspection we learn unselfishness, patience,
brotherly love, and are given a sympathetic understanding of life.

We are all endowed with the emotional element of mourning, and this
moving power is brought into action by the loss of loved ones, illness,
remorse and misfortune of all kinds. Order within one's self must be
made from within, and we must strive to climb out of the chaos that
sustained mourning might bring.

I know a man who for many years seemingly had everything anyone could
want in life. He owned a large ranch in Wyoming, A good job in that
states educational system, A loving wife and six wonderful sons and he
was an active member of his church. Yet in his life he suffered the
death of 2 sons, 1 in an avalanche, the other to suicide because of drug
addiction, His wife divorced him taking away his ranch in the divorce
proceedings. Then his health failed him to the point that he could no
longer teach.

Now he could have given in to his situation and been miserable. Yet he
chose to see the positive side of his challenges and dedicated his life
to others.

He then met a woman whom he had known when he was young, this woman had
recently lost her husband through death. So they dated and were soon
married. Today he has a wonderful relationship with his second wife, a
small ranch in Idaho and serves on missions for his church. He says he
has never been happier in his life.

Many years ago I also knew a man who had a loving wife, two children and
a good job. This man too was faced by the challenge of the loss of his
employment. But instead of dealing with his problem he blamed his wife
for his loss. He took to drinking and beating his wife. So she left him,
taking her children with her. He then took to the road as a bum moving
from place to place trying to find a solution to his problems.

So what was the difference, why did the one man succeed in overcoming
his great challenges while the other man blamed others for his and only
added to his problems?

The first man held fast to his faith in God acknowledging him in all
things and trusting in his judgment to help him in overcoming his
problems, even in the worse situations of life he maintained a positive
attitude of, I can overcome this with Gods help. While the second man
held onto his problems, blaming others for his troubles and choosing to
add more problems onto those he already had. Thus dragging him down to
self-doubt and depression.

Who we are and how we respond to life's challenges depends upon whether
we react to adversity, letting it control us or do we become stronger
with our adversity and grow because of it. The choice is ours.

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Also it could mean that rich guy's(first example) are smarter while working class guy's(second example) are not!

Just kidding !!!

Welcome toCanada, Kjyoti! Thanks for your positive vibes

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Kjyoti, Welcome to Canada.
Very sound article. Right attitude is all you need to succeed.

Good luck.
Samir

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

Very well said...

+ve attitude and trust in God is needed. He has promised sustenance to every living thing in the Universe.

Thanx a lot to jake3d & mishter india. Congrats to Mishtar india & all the best for ur happy married life

BTW what about party to all of us (just kidding)

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Thanks for the good wishes K jyoti.
A party is surely due from me.

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.