Hardship

Let me define hardship from my own personal perspective. Hardships are those unforeseen circumstances that transpire in our lives, leaving us feeling powerless, fearful and uncertain about the past or future. Typically, we are left feeling destitute, agitated, alone and often angry. Depending on what matters most in your life, interference to your sense of stability, whether self-imposed or inflicted by others can be a harrowing experience.  Nonetheless, it is our attitude in action that will determine whether we are able to overcome these transgressions and like an emerging equilibrium we reach a more robust level of being.

Indeed, the process before reaching this new equilibrium will be a very unnerving experience but lets not forget that we can still track progress. In progress, there is hope. In hope there is eagerness. In eagerness, there is the drive to progress further. 

Reflecting upon my own hardship, I am able to analyze myself now and notice that there is a monumental difference to the person I was 3 months prior. Improvements are difficult to track on a daily basis and often I am fooled into thinking that nothing is happening. However, much like an unstable gradient on an upward sloping curve, my improvements may be impossible to predict but they are happening. Setbacks may occur but there is a general trend of things getting better. Critical thinking may be a curse but there is a blessing in using it correctly. In light of hardships, treat them as tangible events. Things that have a starting point and an ending point. Engage with it positively and take each day, one day at a time. Try not to over analyze those "what if" questions. These questions can never be answered. Treat your predicament like a wound that requires healing. If you continue to pick at it, it will never heal. Staring at the wound won't do you any favors either because it blinds you to progress. Appreciate the healing process and respect it. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13a,14)

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:9-10)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)