What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger!
The dictionary describes adversity as a state of hardship or affliction, misfortune, an unfortunate event or incident, a calamitous event. While some of us may have had to deal with misfortune, or a type of hardship in our life, we truly have not, on a whole, suffered a great amount of adversity in our lives. Some of us may feel as though we have not been treated fairly in life, even if it has been of our own making. We expect to be rescued, or given a hand up or hand out. The problem with this way of thinking is as that each generation has become more and more entitled, to the point where they are now protesting everything, depending on which way the wind is blowing. Universities are now turning out children who are demanding socialism, so instead of getting a hand out they will be getting everything free, they think. No amount of persuasion can make them understand even in socialism, nothing is free!
When I think back to my childhood, watching TV was very limited, and considered a privilege. Most of our time was spent outside playing, running up and down hills, playing in the creeks, or at a friend’s house playing a board game. Video games had not been invented, so we did not become the generation of couch potatoes, and we did not miss what we did not have. We were required to help around the house, help with the laundry, and do yard work. None of this was considered a hardship for us, or any part of what you could define as adversity. Many of you know, a year ago my mother, who is 98 years old, passed away. It is my belief that hers was the generation that knew adversity. She lived through the Great Depression and the war that would end all wars, World War II. It was during that war that the Allied troops liberated the concentration camps, but not before 6 million people died between 1933 and 1945. The people left alive knew firsthand what adversity meant, and did not expect a handout when it was over. They were given support, and their medical and physical needs were met, for which they were truly thankful. They had no way of knowing if their family members lived or died, or how to erase the memories that were scarred into their hearts and minds. Most went on to live the rest of their days as productive people, expecting nothing but a chance to make a living.
Fast-forward 73 years and look at society today. A large part of the world’s population think because they draw breath they are entitled to get whatever they want. The refugees that are pouring into every country, instead of being grateful for the sanctuary they are given, are making demands of what they feel they are entitled to. I know this all sounds a bit cryptic, it is not meant to be, but it is meant for us to wake up and look around, and appreciate the freedom and possibilities we have at this time in history. There are exceptions to every rule, and that includes the youth of today, the refugees of today, and the illegal aliens of today. Many of these people are just looking for a chance to make a life, and are willing to work hard to do that, if given the opportunity, not a handout.
The real problem here lies, that we are willing to compromise, and disregard the adversity our forefathers went through to establish, and keep free this great nation.
The blood and sacrifice of many generations should be honored and remembered, who fought for, and maintained the freedom of our Country and its Constitution!
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Look at the people who are screaming the loudest for socialism; actors, actresses, and athletes, all making millions of dollars. Some young people of the universities who have not paid their dues in society, have nothing to lose. Why? Because they will not be touched by socialism, it has been proven that the rich stay rich, but the poor get poorer in a socialistic environment.
They say adversity makes you stronger, better people, so what kind of adversity have we had in our lives lately? We may suffer some financial setbacks, physical ailments, and emotional stress, and if that is the only adversity we have in our lives we should praise God. God never promised that we would not have trouble in our lives, and it doesn’t mean that if trouble comes He has turned His back on us. But even our troubles, (although minor compared to the concentration camps), will not only strengthen our resolve, but strengthen our faith, because God has given us the tools to get through it.
As parents it is important that we teach our children the history of this country. We just recently took the time to remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001. We need to show our children what that and the Holocaust were truly like. There are many websites which are available about 9/11 and the Holocaust, as a reference to help our children truly appreciate what living in a free country means. Because the images they will see are horrific, they need guidance to understand so they don’t forget what true adversity is, and work for what they have and what they want. Things that are worked for are always more appreciated, and taken care of, than things that are simply handed to us. Teach them to be thankful to God for the bounty and the blessings they have.
We as authors, do not bring to the foreground enough, the adversity that others have endured, to ensure our freedom, such as all the patriots and soldiers since the founding of this country, to the recent heroes of the police actions and the wars against terrorism, and the people on flight 93. Never let us become numb to their sacrifice, or arrogant in thinking we deserve more.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
II Corinthians 4:8-9
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
I Peter 5:10
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:12-13
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Proverbs 24:10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
II Corinthians 1:4