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Life’s Difficulties
Life can be rough at times. I mean really rough. Is there anything we can do to get through the tough times and actually find the good in the midst of life’s difficulties?
I recently read an article O, The Oprah Magazine, written by Lee Woodruff about her husband, and how they dealt with and overcame a horrible tragedy. You may recall this event as it made national news.
13 years ago, Bob Woodruff, a journalist for ABC News, was covering the war in Iraq when the armored vehicle he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb that changed his life forever. He survived the blast but suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that altered his life and the life of his wife and family. (For more details about Bob and his recovery please visit the Bob Woodruff Foundation.)
In the O magazine piece, Lee writes about the transformation of life they all encountered. She shared some of the struggles during Bob’s years-long recovery. She confessed that she would often think about all that they had lost because of this tragic event, but one day, she wondered. Wondered if she had been looking at this whole experience in the wrong way. Instead of focusing on the loss, she began choosing to focus on what was gained.
A New Perspective
Just before the accident, Bob had been tapped as the replacement for the retiring Peter Jennings on the ABC Nightly News. That was no longer an option for Bob. As he recovered, Lee began to recognize the new gifts they had been given as a result of this unimaginable event. From the small simple things, like the fact that Bob was now able to attend the kids’ school functions regularly (something he was rarely able to do with his previous work schedule) to more far-reaching things. Such as being able to raise millions of dollars for veteran’s services through their new foundation.
Having gone through this catastrophic circumstance, allowed them to be of service to others in a way that might not have been possible or even a consideration otherwise. What was meant to harm them, was used for good.
A Familiar Story
This got me thinking. I am sure we all know or have heard of someone with a similar story. Not the same specifics, but someone whose life didn’t go according to plan, but despite the difficulties and tragedies a new life was exposed and something positive erupted because of it.
Pondering this for myself, I was reminded of the story of Joseph from the bible. He went through some tough times. I will give you a bit of his background.
Joseph was a young man, the favorite son of his father’s, much to his brother’s dismay. The brothers were jealous and wanted him gone. After a series of betrayals, Joseph was dropped into a pit and left to die. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused of impure acts with a high-ranking official’s wife, thrown into prison, and forgotten.
Joseph suffered many things, but when it was discovered that he could interpret dreams, the Pharaoh of Egypt wanted him released as he had been having disturbing dreams.
Pharaoh was so thrilled that Joseph could interpret his dreams and help him prepare for an impending famine, that he positioned Joseph as second in command. Joseph was in charge of getting the nation prepared for the famine and when the famine arrived in the land, many suffered, except for those under Joseph’s watch.
Eventually, Joseph’s brothers, who were in nearby Canaan, traveled to Egypt as they heard there was grain stored up there. They wanted to plead their case in order to receive some of it to survive.
The Big Reveal
The brothers had no idea Joseph was alive, let alone in charge in Egypt. When they were before him, Joseph actually had compassion for his brothers. He could have said, “You hurt me, you sold me into slavery, you wished me dead. You separated me from my father. I am not giving you anything!”
But he didn’t. When he finally revealed his identity to his brothers, Joseph made this statement, “What you meant for evil against me, God meant for good.” Joseph realized that it was because of these trials that he was led to the position he was in that day. Despite the evil intent behind their actions, something good, even great, came out of it. He now held a position of power and was the one who had the ability to help others, including his own family.
Life Lessons
Joesph’s story has many lessons in it, but the statement that he made is one that I think about often. If those tragic things hadn’t happened to Joseph, would he have had the power and authority to be of service to others? Likely not.
I try to keep in mind that no matter what is going on in my life, there will be something positive that comes out on the other end of it. It may be a lesson learned, a new sense of appreciation, cultivation of character, a relationship strengthened, or any number of things. At times it may be hard to see, but when we try, we can often look back and find some good that came from our difficulties.
A New Perspective
Though things don’t go as planned too frequently in life, we can choose to take our struggles and make them our victories. We can take our mess and make it our message. We can make a mosaic out of all the broken pieces of our lives. It may not be the same as it was before, but it can be beautiful nonetheless. Sometimes even more so.
Like I said before, we have all heard the stories of people dealing with life’s difficulties; a terrible illness, a death, a financial crisis, a destroyed relationship. But look closely, see if you can find a cause for joy. Finding the Good in life’s difficulties. Not in the tragedy or trouble itself, but the positive changes that can come about as a result.
If you are going through something as we speak, as hard as it is at this moment, be on the lookout for sparks of joy. For small victories or for positive life changes in the making. They may not be visible right away, but they can arise and be seen if you are open to them. What was intended for evil (or for harm) God can use for good.
Life is a journey and a continual series of events. Some good, some bad. But it is often in the trying times that our character is revealed, our faith is tested and our light is able to shine the brightest.
~Amy
Finding the fearless life
Footnote: The story of Joseph and his brothers can be found beginning in Genesis 37.
It’s true that a lesson learned from a bad situation or a strengthened character can be considered a positive in trying times. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Paris. I appreciate your comment.
I love this post! It’s well-written and has a great message. I definitely have a hard time finding the positive in life’s difficulties, but these stories you mention help a lot in thinking different about it all. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I hope it provokes thought.
Great post, Amy! So well organized; starting with the story of Bob and Lee Woodruff; then relating it the Bible, before allowing the reader to contemplate how the message of the post relates to our own lives.
It is so easy to ruminate and wallow in the seemingly unexpected turns in our lives. I have done this many times. I love how your post reminds us to search and find the likely beautiful opportunities that can stem from painful events.
Thank you for sharing!
Roger
Thanks for the feedback, Roger!
I appreciate your time.
I love this line, “…but when we try, we can often look back and find some good that came from our difficulties.” It is so true and can really help you get through the tough times when you can find something you learned from the experience. I definitely needed to read this right now, thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Kelly for reading and taking the time to comment.
Thanks for a really interesting read Amy. I remember some months ago being told about “PTSD Growth”, and how it is often seen that those who have suffered extreme traumas can grow from them. At the time I thought it was impossible – that there are some traumas that you cannot recover from.
Now, I am not so sure…
Thank you, Sandra for your thoughtful reply. Interestingly I was just listening to Dr. Carol Leaf, who is a neuroscientist, on how we can restructure our brain. I plan on digging in more to her studies and how the mind can heal.
Thank you so much for this article and perspective. I’m learning to praise God and give him the glory even when everything around me is fall apart. Learning to not get stuck in what we wish didn’t happen such a hard decision but once we see the good is so worth it.
Thanks, Elizabeth for taking the time to read and leave a comment.
Yes the struggle to find the good can be a challenge but good for our mental well being and God’s glory.
Gave this a like! Thank you for a great read!
Thank you for sharing!
I found this very inspiring. I consider my illness this time round to play a big part in changing my mindset to a better life. Although one door has closed during this, many more have opened in by way of finding a new path.
It’s never as dark as it seems.
Thanks, Nyxie. Perspective can be a game changer. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I absolutely adore the story of Joseph! I have the same approach to life now after my life changed past year. I focus on the positives and I focus on what I am able to do rather than what I’m no longer able to do. Outstanding post!
Thanks so much, Ami. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and comment. Hope your day is fabulous!
I love your perspective on this, and your interpretation of Joseph’s story in relation to the lives of the living. All stories teach us so much, some more than others, but being able to see light in every situation is a true step to happiness.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, perspective is everything.
This is a fantastic post! Thanks so much for sharing it 🙂
I needed this post today! I’ve been going through a pretty rough time and it’s been very easy to get down and depressed and forget how much good I still have in my life. It’s often hard to remember to do this, so seeing this post was the perfect reminder for me to get out of my own head and count my blessings vs focusing only on the negative.
So glad that this was a positive, helpful reminder for you. Keep looking up!
Many times, when we’re in a rough time of our life, we forget about the positives in life. Thank you so much for sharing this!
This was great 🙂 I love the idea of the mosaic!
Great post! I definitely needed this!
Wow, totally amazing. I really needed to read this today. Thank you, God Bless you!
This was so needed during this time. I actually love the story of Joseph, so that had me into it even more! Thanks for sharing this 💕
So glad!
This is so true, Amy, “Life is a journey and a continual series of events. Some good, some bad. But it is often in the trying times that our character is revealed, our faith is tested and our light is able to shine the brightest.” PTSD and Brain Trauma are large obstacles, but the brain can heal and there are tools that assist for daily living. We never go back to what we were before, but we can live in the new normal as the Woodruffs have. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great post. I have actually read the article you referenced. It was very interesting. I pinned this post so I can refer back to it and your site.
Such a great message! We should always remember the good in our darkest moments.
Journaling has helped me get through my tough times. Also, you should always take action and move forward. Thank you for the great article 🙂