Weekly Thought Archives > Don't Duck The troubles
Don't Duck The troubles
Douglas MacArthur on V-J Day (Victory in Japan) said, "It is my earnest hope that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge." As we now know, Japan was defeated in battle, but victorious in peace.
Alvin Toffler, in his 1972 work Future Shock, said we are a nation suffering from "over choice." We have too many options. Adversity limits these choices and can actually be an advantage. Trouble concentrates the mind. Some of us are trying to get away from difficulties which can positively propel us. That would be like a crew member navigating a sailboat out of the wind and wondering why there is no forward progress. The wind of adversity is often our motivator.
Troubles are a good teacher. Our valleys test our ability to forget revenge and practice forgiveness. Through trouble we learn to help others and to set our minds to be examples, not obstacles.
I find it helpful to write down the lessons I am learning through trials. A young real estate developer came to me after suffering drastic losses. I listened to him, then suggested he document the process. This would show him the value in the experience and also help him see it clearly as it happened. Clarity comes as we think it through on paper.
The old mystics called trials, "God’s gymnasium." The muscles we build help us lift up others who suffer. When we recognize the purpose and value of persevering in troubling times, we can pass it on to others.
We can help others by encouraging them not to give up. Prior to a Super Bowl, one of the players talked to a reporter. "What are you going to do if you win?" "As soon as I get my Super Bowl ring, I’m going to drop down on my knees and thank my dead mother. She kept me going when I wanted to quit. She never gave up on me."
Unexpected lessons in the value of loss came to an affluent family when they had to deny their children some expected luxuries. They gathered as a family, talked over the situation, and came to a mutual understanding. The entire family participated in the solution. The financial troubles became a great blessing to the entire family.
