Adversity

"Success is not measured by where we make in life, but what we overcame to get there." This is by far my all-time favorite quote. Any time I am faced with any form of ADVERSITY I think back on it and look forward to having a compelling success story when "it's all said and done." Our response is the most important aspect of ADVERSITY. Often times we only see negativity when it comes to ADVERSITY, rather than looking for the lessons and blessings that result from it. I know that myself, as well as others have often asked the question "why do bad things happen to good people?" It's often because God knows that a "good" person is strong enough to handle a "bad" thing.  The story of Job in the Bible is the epitome of a "good" person handling ADVERSITY and receiving the resulting blessings.  Job was chosen by God to endure his ADVERSITY. The Bible says that God asked Satan if he had considered His "good" and faithful servant Job? Instead of taking the advice of his wife and cursing God, Job instead continued to see the light at the end of the tunnel and praised God in spite of his situation. In the end, Job was blessed with twice as much as he initially had.  ADVERSITY is a tool that not only strengthens us but also serves as encouragement to others who know of our situation. I'm sure there are plenty young athletes that have been encouraged by the fact that Michael Jordan did not make his high school basketball team until his junior year and went on to become the greatest basketball player in NBA history. The fact that Donald Trump experienced bankruptcy before becoming one of the world's richest people is encouragement to many young entrepreneurs. Rapper 50 Cent is another intriguing person who began life as thug from a broken home in the streets of New York who overcame a near fatal shooting and went on to become not only one of the world's most recognizable entertainers, but also an astute businessman. Experiencing ADVERSITY allows us help deter others from making decisions that could lead to ADVERSITY and to be sympathetic to those who face situations we are familiar with. Who better to take solace in than someone who has conquered the same situation?  The Bible states that Jesus was sent to Earth as a human being, rather than an angel so that He would be able to relate to every situation that we face in life.  He faced ridicule, persecution, betrayal, and death and conquered them all.  Three days after being nailed to a cross He rose from the dead.  Now that's overcoming ADVERSITY!!! We should take the time to evaluate the adversity in our lives. I believe that if we really examined every situation that we have been faced with we will find the silver lining within.