Life. What an absolute gift. A gift that many take for granted everyday until all of a sudden they are faced with something that makes them realize how much they’ve taken their daily life for granted.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.” Truth in that, don’t you think? In life I believe that in ALL situations we have opportunity to grow, coming out the other side of adversity a better person, wiser, more humbled, and more thankful for the gift of life. Here are some real life examples: Losing a loved one, overcoming cancer or other illness/disease, divorce, abuse, or being homeless, losing a job, being imprisoned. These are pivotally life changing subjects that if you’ve been faced with any of these in life, you know what a blow they can be to you physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. But for the blow they may initially implode on us (maybe, or for a length of time), there comes a time when we may see we have an opportunity in life’s adversity to find the blessings in disguise.
I’ll use myself for example. When I became ill at age 18, I switched my diet to enhance my health. Little did I know at the time that in switching my diet, this was helping me in more ways than I ever could have imagined.
The opportunities that came from switching my diet helped set the tone for the healing to continue in the years to come via using food as medicine, and also in many more ways.
Another example in my being ill: Being rather young at the age of 18 and being ill, I wasn’t able to hang out with friends like most people were at my age. I had to decline invitations that soon became rare because I literally didn’t have any extra strength or energy to do fun activities, share meals, etc. I won’t lie, sometimes it wasn’t easy because I wanted to be with my friends doing fun things, but it was truly unrealistic for me to DO these activities. Honestly, the worst part about it was that I believed friends thought I just didn’t want to hang out, which wasn’t the case.
Do you want to know what opportunities came from this particular adversity? Years later, I got to explain my being unable to hangout with a particular friend, and she then understood the severity of what the situation really was. In the end we both grew from what happened, and we did get to hang out a few times after my being ill. Eventually, time changes the details of our lives and what we do with our lives, and we all move on our journeys either growing from the adversities, or continuing in our own ways unchanged.
Okay, now I want to ask you; what one or two adversities have come across your life that have impacted you in a profound way? What was your initial reaction to it/them? Were you able to find opportunities in the adversities that were encountered? What are your feelings and thoughts as you look back at this/these events that happened?
Life. What an absolute gift, filled with adversities making for opportunities. Sometimes its exhausting to face, be apart of, and live with adversities. But yet we somehow find the energy, the gumption, and breathe of life to keep on going. Why? Because we know there IS opportunity in the adversities that we are facing. We have the opportunity to become a better version of ourselves, and hopefully smile more, laugh more, love deeper, and most of all, never take the gift of life for granted.
I don’t know about you, but the latter is one that I never take for granted. Yes, I do think it’s partially due to being so ill that I brushed death’s door, but also because I know my Papa God gave me the greatest gift, LIFE, to live and share with all people. That is something that I’m really thankful for, and I truly hope you do too.
Not everyone has the opportunities and freedom that we have here in America. There are many living in third world countries that are THANKFUL for one meal a day. They are thankful to have a safe place to lay there head at night, clothes to wear, and clean water to drink. It hurts my heart for these people that the things we so readily take for granted here in America are the things that these people wish and long for. Yes, we have a LOT to be thankful for. And this is just a smidgen of the big picture of what we have to be thankful for.
Life isn’t easy, we should all know that. Everyday, people are faced with obstacles, adversities, and tribulations. Can we, and are we willing to, find opportunities, joy, and the good things out of these trying happenings in our lives? I do believe we can. No, it’s not always going to be easy or come easy, but it IS possible. Sometimes, we need someone to encourage us, remind us, give us a hug, a shoulder to cry on, to help us to keep our chin up. And isn’t that what friends and loved ones are for, to be there for one another, no matter what, through thick and thin? We learn from others and we can be encouraged for others.
Today, no matter what adversities have entered into your life, I want to encourage you to find the good opportunities that this adversity has brought. Try to find some joy, some peace, and allow yourself to grow from this trying time. Become a better version of yourself through this time in your life. You CAN do this! I want to remind you that Papa God has you in this world for a reason. You make Papa’s heart sing all the time. That in and of itself should make you smile!
I hope and pray that whatever adversity is burdening you right now, you will be lifted in spirit as you begin to see the opportunity that comes from this trying time. May your view be brighter, load be lighter, and hugs be tighter!
Your Life, Your Choice 