Photo credit: ‘Strength‘ by Big Stock
It is through adversity that we display what we really are made of.
Adversity: Could You Overcome This?
Paul got off 2 hours later than normal. He was working overtime to save up for a home purchase he wanted to make at the end of the year. Tired and ready to get home, he slowly walks to the car while rambling through his pockets trying to find his keys. As he finally arrives to where his car was parked, he is alarmed to find shards of broken glass and tire marks but no vehicle. Someone had stolen his car and to make matter worse he didn’t have any insurance. Paul called the police and submitted a report about his stolen vehicle.
Devastated by the loss of his car, he calls a cab and proceeds to make his way home to break the news to his wife. As he walks in the door, defeated and exhausted, his wife greets him with the biggest smile he has ever seen. He didn’t want to kill her great mood so he decided he would wait and tell her what happened after dinner. The car was their sole means of transportation and without it they would struggle to maintain. This car allowed him to get to work, his wife to school, and allowed them to commute to see their family that stayed far away.
The Celebration Dinner
At dinner Paul’s wife had prepared a feast similar to Thanksgiving. There was food everywhere. She was so happy. She was full of love. She was glowing. The food tasted amazing and with every bite the struggles of Paul’s day slowly disappeared. He enjoyed the moment and the time he spent with his wife at the dinner table. Finished with dinner, Paul remembered that there was something important he had to tell his wife. He grabbed her by both hands, looked her in the eyes, and tried to force his lips to say what needed to be said.
Before a word could leave his mouth, she screamed with so much excitement the following statement that the neighbors on both sides of their house heard her. “I’m Pregnant!” Those very words hit Paul like a ton of bricks. He was so overwhelmed with emotion that he didn’t know what to do. How was he going to feed and provide for another life? I mean just seconds before she made her announcement, he was going to tell her about the drastic changes that needed to come about in order for them to reach their dream of owning a house.
The Devastating News
In the midst of his wife’s celebration and joy, the phone rings. Paul quickly steps away to answer it, thinking it would be the police who recovered his stolen car, and he is mortified by the words the other party communicated. His eyes glass over. His breathing intensified. He drops the phone and begins falling to the floor because his legs could no longer sustain his weight. Paul just got fired.
Real Life Adversity
This fictional story is a reality in the lives of people all across America. People are going from a position of planning for their future to a state where they are just struggling to survive. However, this difficult time is where we get to see what the people in this country are really made of. It is in the midst of adversity where people show their true strength.
Imagine being in this situation. What would you do? Do you think after a day like this you could get back up and do what is necessary to feed you family? If so, what do you think is necessary?
We are in a time where people are having to start over from scratch. People are building their futures using the ashes and debris of their hopes and dreams. The weight that many of us are carrying is so overbearing that if we don’t find some help soon it will crush us. Even though the circumstances seem impossible, there is always hope.
Fighting Adversity with Brute Strength
It is so important for each of us to look down deep inside and find a way to fight even when our backs are flat on the mat. No matter how hard it gets, we can never give up. There is too much to lose by throwing in the towel. We all need to develop the strength to overcome.
The strength to overcome is the ability to believe, strive, and persevere even when you don’t feel like it. It is the function of existing beyond how you feel. It is the talent of chasing your dreams when you don’t have the air in your lungs to run. Having the strength to overcome means having the faith that if I keep sowing seeds, I will reap the harvest I desire.
With Strength You Will Overcome:
- Failure
- Adversity
- Foreclosed Homes
- Misbehaving Children
- Unemployment
- Broken Relationships
- Debt
- Depression
- Low Self Esteem
Striving Through Adversity
It’s up to you how your new life begins. Are you going to lay on the floor or are you going to get up and take back what belongs to you? I can’t promise you it will be easy. I can’t promise you that you won’t cry, feel pain, or want to give up. However, I can promise you that doing nothing won’t solve the problem.
You have the strength to overcome whatever circumstances your are facing in your life. Believe in yourself. And if you don’t, never forget I believe in you. You are stronger than you have ever known. You just needed a challenge big enough to prove it.
Frank Jennings is the founder of A Spark Starts where he writes inspirational and inspiring stories. These stories give hope to single parents, encourage people consumed by debt, restore broken relationships, re-build damaged families, empower disgruntled employees, prepare the uncertain, and help you reach for your dreams. Stop by and subscribe today! via pickthebrain.comFollow Us
Jim Woods is president and founder of InnoThink Group; a leading Strategic Management and Innovation Consulting Firm in Denver, Colorado. He is an author, speaker, and a strategic innovation and hypercompetition expert to profit, non-profit organizations and municipalities. He advises clients with an objective view of their competitive capabilities and defines a clear course of action to maximize their innovation return on investment to achieve profitable growth. Build a capability for ongoing competitive innovation across your company. Call 719-649-4118 or complete our form: contact us for more information on hiring Jim to advise or speak for your next event. Business, Career or Life Coach.
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