“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” — Pslam 119:71
Sometimes, life is like a boxing ring. Worries about your future, relationship problems, your grades, and personal issues are all working together to try and make you tap out. Every day is an uphill battle, and it’s weighing on your heart. But the only difference between an opportunity and an obstacle is your outlook. All you have to do is change how you look at the tough situation.
Remind yourself this: hard times are opportunities for growth. They give you thick skin. You learn to work harder, think smarter, and do better. You become an upgraded version of yourself. If life was easy, we would never grow. Could you imagine if you never suffered? You wouldn’t be as amazing as you are today.
Difficulties are also opportunities to support others. When you have a friend who is going through something you dealt with last year, you’re able to understand them. You can offer valuable advice. You can see them through to the end. You know what it’s like because you’ve been there. Sometimes, you don’t go through trials because of you. You go through it to witness to someone else. To tell them that they will make it out.
When we sit around the table at thanksgiving and talk about what we’re grateful for, I’m going to say that I’m thankful for life’s difficulties. Not only have I grown, but I have come closer to God. He was my source of strength when I was down. I learned to trust in his plan and call on His name during times of need. Without those dark times, my faith would not have been transformed. I would have not been transformed. My younger self would be proud of the woman I have become. I can say that confidently because of the difficulties that molded me, splintered away at my flaws, and formed my character. However, I still have progress to make. I have a vision of the woman that I want to be and I know that any adversity I encounter along the way will be for her betterment.
I encourage you to look back and remember the hard times. Appreciate them. Be happy that it happened. Be happy you made it through. After all, life’s misfortunes gave you the best gift of all — a better you.