The Untold Secret to Rising above Life's Greatest Adversity

 

From Ashes to Glory

A lot of people have asked themselves this question: How can I rise from my present challenges, and emerge stronger and better? Well, this post will answer that question. In fact, you'll be left asking yourself, "Why didn't I think of that before?"

So put on your helmet and prepare for a headlong dive into the mine.

Needless to say, life is full of hardships, that ultimately test our strength, like waves knocking at the walls of a dam. The only difference with us is that catastrophe strikes when least expected.

Don't be frightened, though. on the brighter side, through these hard times, your true character is forged. After all, pure gold is purified through fire. Instead of grumbling when passing through the furnace, be thankful and pas through it with grace.

    Let me assure you of something: like the proverbial phoenix, you         have the power to overcome and emerge stronger. 

Before I outline how to, let's look at what the calamity basket contains.

The Nature of Adversity

Misfortune comes in many forms, like financial slip-ups, health challenges, broken relationships, loss of a loved one, and such occurrences that  hit us hard.

The truth is that these hard times may leave you feeling defeated, even to a point where you question your purpose in life. At such times you even doubt your ability to move forward. Your only option seems to throw up your hands and resign to fate.

But let me remind you something: Adversity is not the end of the story: it's just another chapter. It makes life more interesting. Instead of going smooth all the way, trouble is like a bump that jolts you back to wakefulness, forcing you to concentrate on what's going on ahead.

Adversity is not the end of the story: it's just another chapter.

James 1:2-4

New Living Translation

Isaiah 40:31
New Living Translation



31 

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.
x

2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Challenges are an opportunity for growth. You must outgrow your trials to overcome them, and you have all it takes. Not only that, but also you have the confidence that God has a plan for your lifedespite suffering. Hardship doesn't negate any of them.

Embracing Struggle.

Embrace you said? Yes!

The first step to overcoming misery is embracing it. I concur, it's a natural reaction to resist pain/ discomfort, but denying the reality's only prolongs the healing process.

Embrace suffering as it is, acknowledging pain without it to define you. You are not defined by what you are going through, but by what you are inside.

Take Joseph from the Bible as an example. He was sold into slavery by his kin, was falsely accused and thrown into prison. But he didn't let that define him. 

Instead, Joseph, through the power of unfailing hope and by God's help, rose to a position of power in Egypt. Th slave boy ended up saving his entire family from famine.(Genesis 37-50)

When life seems unfair, the road ahead bleak, remain steadfast in your faith and trust there's a bigger purpose beyond this.

Why Sticking it Out Matters More than you Think

Perseverance is very key to overcoming struggles. But this is barely evident in people faced with trying times. In times like these, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and want to give up.

But you are not everyone. Dig your heels in, dig deep and find strength to keep on. This is what we are told in the Bible:

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Enduring hardships builds character and strengthens hope that sustains us through even the darkest times.

Rising From the Ashes

Mishaps, while painful, can be a catalyst for immense personal growth. They force you to comfort your limitations, re-evaluate your priorities and discover strengths you never thought you had before. 

It's like falling into a river, and discovering a new trick for swimming under pressure, while having a chance for a really good bath!

But rising above your challenges is not that "wow". It requires a positive mindset, with persistence, commitment to self- reflection and strong faith. To get to the other side yo must keep on keeping on.

You must believe there is renewal for you. Believe that this is not the end of the road. You must crane your neck higher to see beyond the obvious. 

To get past the canopy of devastation, you must be willing to kick a few more asses, step on toes and bulldoze your way up. You must see the future ahead and reach out for it.

No matter how demoralizing the circumstances are, you have the capacity to build your life back together and soar to new heights.

moving forward with Hope.

Hope is the guiding light that guides us through the darkest of valleys, the anchor that keeps you steady when storms rage.

With hope you can face trials with courage and emerge from your struggles stronger, wiser and more compassionate. When you hope for better things in the future you are able to stay afloat even if the storms rage ravenously.

When you trust in God you can rise from the ashes of trials and realize a future full of purpose and possibilities. He is there with you every step of the way to strengthen and comfort you.

Whatever you re going through, you have the strength within you to overcome. 

Trust in God throughout the process, and lean on your faith, and you will never lose sight of better things that lie ahead.

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Solace in Faith Amidst Grief and Loss

 

Healing from Pain and Agony

Grief is an unwanted burden that proves overwhelming to many. Well, some may take it in their stride, but others are unable to cope, while others struggle to come along.

When we think of grief, so many things come to mind. But loss of a loved one, dream, cherished part of life, and such occurrences can rip us apart, leaving us in a furtive search for a lifeline. During times like these you realize how naked you are, and how vulnerable you can be.

Understanding Grief

Grief is a very natural part of human emotion, that elicits emotions of sorrow, anger and disbelief. This is not to say that you are not allowed to feel otherwise when going through grief, but these are some of the most experienced feelings in grief. 

However, it is good to remind yourself that grief is not a destination but a journey. In fact, part of a journey. You could be mourning today and celebrating tomorrow. Just go through this rough patch at your own pace and with grace. You will come out the other end a stronger person.

Is there a right way of going through heartbrokenness? No, there isn't right or wrong in distress. every situation is unique, and everyone was created differently, so you would handle your agony differently. It's allowed. 

Even when you feel like giving in, remind yourself that the pain may seem unbearable, but healing is possible. Just focus on healing.

The Power of Faith

Faith is an indispensable source of comfort during loss. It gives a framework for understanding suffering, hope, and is a connection to God Himself, who is way greater than you( or your loss) 

Many people turn to different distractions to escape the underlying feelings that come with loss, but there a few real solutions that you could turn to. God is the central focus when it comes to healing from heartache. His words are filled with relief, understanding and optimism.

Look at what he says:

Psalm 23:4

New International Version

4 

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

God will never leave you even in your darkest hour. He is here, always speaking comforting words to you. He is here offering his shoulder for you. He is here, giving the best of heaven to you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New International Version

Praise to the God of All Comfort

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Today you are being comforted. Tomorrow you will be strong enough to comfort others. It's God who says it in His word. He is filled with compassion and understanding, that He can't let you be when you are beside yourself. He is beside you instead, carrying you through it all.

John 14:27

New International Version

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The peace of God surpasses all manner of human understanding. When He gives you peace, nothing in this world, or the next, would ever disturbed you. Are you feeling like the signs of a storm inside you? Embrace the peace that God gives.

The good thing with the peace of God is that it does not come with a price tag. When He gives, it's in the true sense of giving. In your grief, you have God giving peace to you, and expecting nothing in return.

The power of faith is beautifully illustrated in the story of my grandfather. A man of strong faith, he was devastated by the loss of his son, Nahashon - the brightest star among his many children. The pain was almost unbearable. 

I was a young boy, in Form One, and felt helpless in the face of such sorrow. Yet, amidst the storm of grief, my grandfather’s faith, coupled with the support of his district fellowship, became a beacon of hope.

His testimony is a testament to the enduring power of faith. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest hours, hope can be found.

Finding hope

Did I just say that hope can be found? How and where? Before I start baring the truth to you, let's flesh out some truth: faith doesn't cross out pain, but it offers us the hope of a better future. 

We know that even if things might look bleak today, we are assured of better things tomorrow. Through faith we believe in a future where healing and restoration are possible. Not just possible, but very real.

When we know hat healing is possible we start envisioning it in our minds and working towards it. Misery stops being our driving force, and consolation and inspiration takes its place.

Slowly, a step at a time, you start making progress our of your agony, and into happiness. Am not promising you a one-day experience that leaves you feeling great again, no: grief is a process that takes time. 

Just take those baby steps towards healing, and work your way up. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to feel your emotions. Who doesn't experience them?

Seeking Support

During tormenting times, it's advisable to not shrink back into your cocoon and rot in misery. Instead, it would be of great help to surround yourself with a supportive community. They don't have to be all the witty and mighty people, or the most sympathetic. Your normal group of friends can do.

The idea is to enable you to share your feelings with someone who can lend an ear, be it a support group, trusted friend.... or you can seek professional counselling. By all means, don't keep your feelings to yourself. You don't have to go through it alone.

You will realize at the end that grief, though a challenging experience, is a great opportunity for growth and spiritual deepening. Do you remember the song that goes, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller..."

Grief is not there to kill you: It's there to shake out the loose bolts, and replace them with steel-reinforced ones. Your loss is for your detriment ,but so that you can gain experience in life, and a testimony for the future.

Through faith you will find solace, strength and hope to carry you through.

Sources

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en.wikipedia.org

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www.frugalcouponliving.com

www.liberty.edu

www.liberty.edu

www.adventhealth.com

www.adventhealth.com

en.wikipedia.org

en.wikipedia.org

Finding Hope in the Darkness

 

Where Mental Hygiene and Faith Meet

In the labyrinth of life, we all become entangled with so many undertakings that our minds become jumbled up and bogged down. Add to that the numerous challenges, responsibilities and the pace of life itself, and you have a recipe for a clogged mind.

Can you identify with this? You wake up at ungodly hours, have a hectic day with quite a umber of twists and turns, trying to balance family, work, church activities, allocation of your funds- little or otherwise... the list goes on. Does your life seem intent on driving you nuts?

Well, you are not alone. Virtually everyone else is going through the same ordeal, only that they hav not been brave enough to seek solace. Let me tell you that you are closer to finding it, because you came to this post. Am not giving you a guarantee that your life will suddenly become reading but if you combine this text with faith in Christ Jesus, your life will be a lot easier and satisfying.

What part does faith play in my life, you ask?  Faith and mental hygiene are entwined in a delicate dance of resilience, hope and community. Faith in God assures us of better things to come, knowing that He has better plans for us. We are assured that though the going may be tough today, God is working behind the scenes to make everything work out for our good.

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Through faith we are connected to something infinitely greater than ourselves- God, who gives us strength in our time of need. In this way we are empowered to see hardship and suffering in a different perspective. We know that present hardships are the premise for future testimony.

We also know that God is always there to comfort us, regardless of how hard the situation is, how mean the economy could be, how nagging the children are, how challenging the balancing game is proving. The book of Corinthians offers us consolation:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New Living Translation

God Offers Comfort to All

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Life's challenges may plunge you in to a state of questioning, where you doubt everything- even your own sanity. Add to that feeling of guilt, shame, loneliness or abandonment.... You end up feeling like throwing in the cards. But don't be dismayed. 

When all seems to be lost, you have God at your side. The more you are deserted, the more He draws near to you. The more guilt you feel, the more He reminds you of His love for you. The more he reminds you of No Condemnation for those in Christ.

God is closer to you, eager to carry you when you are broken and crushed. This is what He says in Psalms 147:3

Psalm 147:3

New Living Translation

3 

He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.

To find that peace amid the complexities in life, you first need to embrace your feelings. Although faith assures us of better things in the future, it doesn't negate the present situation. Instead of living in denial, accept the reality of the situation and how you feel about it. That's the only way you can genuinely develop a different outlook of the situation, and have a chance of ever changing things.

After you have accepted the reality and had a proper summation of it, you need to seek support from trusted friends and professionals. Instead of internalizing everything, share your thoughts with someone you trust. After all, a problem shared is a problem half-solved. This is what the book of Psalms tells us:

You may also consider connecting with a community. A faith community offers you a platform to share,laugh, unload, make friends and be merry. Why die alone when there is a faith community that could make life lively?

Don't forget to care for yourself. Self-care is one of the things we love to push back in a race against time, but it is the most important thing in your life. 

Before your family, there is you. Before your finances, there is you. Before your engagements, there is you. prioritize self care and set aside time for unwinding, grabbing a snack and hitting the Gym. Thank me later for it. Christ said this to his group, who, obviously had neglected self-care:

Mark 6:31

New Living Translation

31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

Lastly, you need to come back and ask yourself, what am I really living for? It's easier to navigate a life with meaning, purpose and direction. You know what to prioritize first and what come last. You also are able to cut back on unwanted jargon that could be holding you down and eating into your resources. 

Luckily for you, you have faith in Christ, and he gives you a meaning and purpose in your life. He is the one who directs your steps. Am not suggesting that you should be fanatically religious, but pointing to your strength. 

When you find purpose in your life, you are several strides into streamlining your life. What's better is that you have God, pulling the strings behind the scenes. He says he has great plans for you, and Am sure He won't rest until His plan in your life has succeeded. This is what He says in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 29:11

New Living Translation

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Remember you are not alone. Many have trodden the same path and come out with victory. Though it's not a smooth running, God has seen others before you through, and H eis not tired yet. He still wants you to put your trusting Him, ad He will carry you through too. 

with support, resilience, and a steadfast connection to your faith, hope and healing are attainable.

Citations  

 1. beautyinourbrokenness.com

beautyinourbrokenness.com