Embracing Adversity
Updated: Aug 6, 2021
I’m sure you have heard the saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can bear or handle.” Here’s another one: “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” Although these statements are cliché, there is a lot of truth to them. For me to get a full understanding of what these actually mean, I had to analyze these sayings and understand how they connect to my life and how I have learned to embrace adversity.
Throughout my lifetime, I have had my share of adversity. The majority of it has been related to my health – the multiple surgeries that I have had, which I shared in My Journey on this blog, and some related to other personal challenges. I have had to repeat that saying in my head a few times to help with getting through each situation. Words are powerful to me and repeating words to myself or aloud that are positive helped to bring me through tough situations.
One thing that has held true is the “bigger picture” regarding why I was chosen to go through what I went through. The bigger picture for me was understanding that God would be at the finish line waiting for me as I ran each 26.2 mile marathon (not literally but you understand my point). I knew that if I stayed the course, I would get to the finish line. If you’ve ever seen the New York City Marathon on television, you’ll remember that when the runners get to the finish line, some of them just walk around, some stop and bend over trying to catch their breath, and others just collapse. I felt like doing each of those things through various trials.
What was important for me besides getting to the finish line is a deep understanding about why God would allow me to go through the things that I went through. I came to a conclusion about that, which was more humbling than you will ever know. The conclusion was that He had so much confidence in me that I would be able to endure whatever adverse situation I was given and share the good news that He is a healer. He had confidence in me! Who am I? I’m just a regular ordinary person trying to live right, and God who is EVERYTHING had confidence in me. I cannot tell you how that made me feel, and whenever I go through something, I realize that there is a bigger picture at the forefront than what appears on the surface. Now, don’t get me wrong, no one is signing up to deal with adversity/trials, but since God didn’t promise us a life without trials, we might as well try to be as positive as we can to get through them.
One of my friends was going through a very serious health situation some years ago. Someone asked her, “Why you?” and she said, “Why not me?” I admired her for saying that, and she poured strength and courage into my spirit helping me get through my own situations of adversity. Whenever I approach something, I think about it in those terms—why not me? That is the bigger picture! Why. Not. Me.
Our first line of defense is to run from adversity – that is the human side of us, but by tapping into the spiritual side we can face adversity AND get through it! Don’t run from adversity, embrace it! A good meditation scripture regarding enduring trials is James 1:2-4 NKJV. What I have learned is each adverse situation has made me stronger and able to face and endure the next situation that comes about. In each situation my faith becomes stronger and stronger.
Recently while on Facebook I was moved by a post made by a lady named Gwen Daniel under the “I am Beautiful…The Movement” blog. She posted the following message: “Never be ashamed of what you’ve been through. God will use your story for his Glory.” I was very moved by this statement because I am trying to be what God wants me to be and share with anyone who will listen that I am living proof that you CAN endure the toughest of situations that life can throw at you.
It is my honor to share the stories of triumph and overcoming situations that could have removed me from this earth. I thank God for His goodness and mercy. I am very grateful to Him and thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough so I will do my best to live each day showing Him that I’m thankful and grateful.
I will strive to be as strong as possible whenever God gives me something difficult to deal with because He has confidence in me that I will come out victorious in the end. His confidence gives me confidence that I will make it through. I will embrace each adverse situation, take it as a challenge, and run the course of the race because I want to make him proud.
Live, laugh, love, and pray.
God Bless You with Good Health and Wellness,
Antoinette
Antoinette Shar’ron Johnson
Facebook: Antoinette Sharron Johnson
LinkedIn: Antoinette Johnson, MAEd
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