Adversity and its Immense Value

Perhaps from the title you might already be thinking to yourself, “Value in adversity? Alan, did you finally lose your mind?”

Possibly, but that’s a highly subjective question.

I read the following quote recently from C.S. Lewis: “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

This made me think about all the various obstacles and sufferings I have faced in my life, and I’ve gone through some real doozies.

Each of them difficult, painful and sometimes scarring. Literally. See my older post about my near-death experience in the car accident!

Hard work, disappointments, failures, criticism, misinterpretations, opposition, sorrow, death, and bodily suffering have been the tests which have showed me what I’m am really made of.

But each of these things, however difficult at the time, has without a doubt strengthened me, making me into a better person. And have brought me closer to God.

We all dislike times of adversity. In fact, when they come, we want them out of our lives as quickly as possible. I know I do. But in time, sometimes sooner than later, we comprehend and even appreciate their value.

In fact, our virtues are proved and our faults are often revealed during times of adversity.

Over two years ago when my mother lost the use of her legs, and was no longer able to care for herself, I was left with a very hard decision to make: take care of her, or send her to a nursing home.

In the spirit of complete honesty, I didn’t want to take care of my mother. Not really.

I had my own life to live. How could I take care of her and still enjoy my life?

My Life.

Adversity Often Comes Through Sacrifice

When faced with my decision, I knew I would have to reduce my income, because I wouldn’t be able to work as many hours. I would be mostly confined to my home watching over her. I would have to lift her daily, get all of her meals daily, and help with pretty much all of her needs…daily.

How would I continue to spend time with friends? Go for long walks in the evening? Have the freedom to travel? All the things I enjoyed doing.

I had become accustomed to my focus and my energy being on…well, me.

These are truly all of the things I thought about when I was faced with the decision.

In the end, I know I made the right choice, but I was very tempted.

Tempted to run from adversity.

Tempted to follow the easy path. The comfortable path.

The Value from Adversity is Immense

It’s taken me awhile to learn that life cannot, and is not, meant to be all about enjoyment, fun and leisure. Yes, everyone needs enjoyment in their lives…but enjoying ourselves can’t be the sole purpose of what our life is about.

That’s called selfishness.

In the end, our greatest achievement on earth is to be united with God in all things. And believe it or not, this closeness to God can often grow tremendously during times of adversity. We are used to leaning on others for help – people, institutions, etc. Sometimes when our suffering is so great and all help is gone – we finally reach out to God. That is when we grow.

When life is going well, we can deceive ourselves. We can easily ignore the sufferings and difficulties of people around us – perhaps even those in our own homes.

But no so much when things are going badly. It’s then that our faith, hope, charity, humility, and patience can be measured only by their testing in real life. When you are going through adversity, you cannot deceive yourself, because it’s then that you see yourself as you really are – all your strengths and weaknesses come out full force.

It’s when we are willing to sacrifice and patiently suffer through adversity, that we are transformed into something more. Something better. Because we are, at that time, not thinking of self-fulfillment. We are trying to survive and hopefully trying to trust in God to help us through it.

We also grow more as person when we can suffer without blaming the situation, blaming others or even blaming God.

So, not only do we suffer patiently, but perhaps we suffer quietly – without complaint.

Jesus is Our Perfect Example of Adversity

Our ultimate model for the value of adversity is Jesus’ life on earth. From the hour of His birth until His last breath on the cross, He patiently endured all kinds of adversity. Quietly, patiently, lovingly, willingly.

Enduring suffering is definitely not easy. It’s not supposed to be. But if we can bear it willingly and patiently, we can even find joy, because during times of adversity we are given the opportunity to exercise more faith, more humility, more patience, and more love for others, and for God. Instead of favoring ourselves so much.

As I look back on my life and recount the good times – I simply can’t neglect the value of adversity. Of struggle. Of the “bad” times. Because without the adversity and the struggle, I would never know what is good in my life.

Personally, I am grateful for every ache in my body, for every heartbreak, for every disappointment, for every unexpected change of plans.

Because to feel and to experience these adversities, I recognize their value. And I clearly understand they were presented as opportunities from God.

To become a better man. To love Him more.

And isn’t that why we’re here?