"Adversity doesn't kill us, but the impatience with which we bear adversity."

Today I would like to share a "thought of the day" that a coworker of mine, Dennis, puts on our hospital's intranet. I read it and once again thought "Boy how true this is." and when I read things I love I want to share them with you all. This was the thought of the day.......
"Adversity doesn't kill us, but the impatience with which we bear adversity." This quote was carved in a prison wall in the Tower of London by an unknown author.  Life is filled with adversity. If there's one thing you can count on, besides death and taxes, it's adversity. Doesn't matter what you do, who you are, where you live, how much money you make, no one escapes it.

Some people become irritated (at best) and ballistic (at worse) whenever adversity strikes or meanders their way. Many people are completely and totally shocked that it keeps showing up... like they somehow should be immune or spared. Adversity can come at work, at home, in the car, in church, sitting in a deer stand, wading in a mountain stream, with the one you love the most, or with the one you are most challenged to get along with. Suddenly, like the attack of killer bees, it shows up...uninvited, rudely, and usually without warning. 

So how do we face this consistent and vigilant adversity?

1)     Stop expecting adversity NOT to come. Get over the thought (wish, hope) that it only happens to some and not others, that we'll ever be free of its self-invited knocks at the door. Adversity is a part of life.

A father was sitting in his dining room with a guest waiting to eat while his four young children were scurrying to get to their designated places around the table, one child bumped into the table and sent things flying. The father, as if this was a regular occurence, looked at the guest and casually said, "Excuse us, it's always something in our home."

This man could have gone off on his child. He could have raised his voice, shouted, scolded, belittled, and said or done something else to make the already embarrassed child feel a whole lot worse (and leave a longstanding scar in the process.) Instead, he said, "it's always something..." while everyone proceeded to clean things up.

This father knew that if he was going to have a home filled with children he would have to have the WHOLE experience, the good and the bad, the fun and not-so-funny. In other words, there would be moments of adversity. And so it is with LIFE.

2)     In life it's not what happens to us that matters, it's how we respond to what happens to us that matters most.

Someone has said that it's not the note itself that makes beautiful music, but the PAUSE between the notes. We should think about the importance of pausing before we respond, say, do, or react to the adverse situations that come our way. (Have you noticed how the reaction to a moment of adversity sometimes is as big as the adversity itself?)

 3) When we do respond to adversity poorly (and we all do) acknowledge it, ask forgiveness (if that's appropriate), learn from it, think about why you responded the way you did, and move forward. And if you think sometimes it takes a supernatural strength or ability to cope with the endless amount of adversity we face, you are right. And the supernatural strength that has helped me face adversity in my life is God. As the bible says, "I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 

I know many, many, people facing adversity right at this very moment and my HOPE is for you all NOT TO GIVE UP...NEVER GIVE UP! And do not be afraid to ask family and friends and most importantly, God, for help. Because like I always say (because I have experienced it my own life) .............

God gives us HOPE when there seems to be none. ~ Your Friend, Lib

(Thank you Dennis for letting me share part of your Thought Of The Day!)