If you’ve been living more than a few years you probably have experienced some level of ADVERSITY in your life. Now, I’m not talking about spilling your Starbucks on your shirt, or having to wait too long for your meal at a restaurant. I’m talking about the kind of adversity that DIGS into your SOUL.
Sometimes the adversity comes from WITHIN, where you have thought patterns or habits that have LONG been established, and now you are trying to breakthrough to a NEW you. But old habits and though patterns don’t die easily. It seems like you take one step forward and two steps back constantly. It’s at this point that I’ve allowed God to shape and change my thought patterns through DAILY TIME spent with Him – transformed by the renewing of my mind.
At other times adversity comes from external sources, where people and circumstances challenge you to your very core. They come at you with either attacks or disregard so that you can feel your blood boil. Or maybe they throw doubts into your thoughts/goals. You’ve set up some pretty big dreams, but these people want to keep you down with them and they will say just about anything to keep you from spreading your wings into greatness.
In my experience, I’ve had this hit me where I’ve had bosses who were simply interested in me “towing the line” and keeping things in order. But as a dreamer/entrepreneur, I felt caged by this attitude, constantly asking WHY do we have to do things the same way? Ultimately it pushed me to the point where I needed to choose to spread my wings and FLY, establishing my own business. So, through the adversity, my character and belief was refined. THIS changed everything for me and has allowed me to build into others in ways I never would have imagined.
THE LESSON:
Don’t run from adversity. See the potential for growth and allow it to transform your heart, mind and soul.