When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. – Henry Ford
Men and women who we we would quickly describe as ”great” and “heroic” didn’t earn those reputations while smoothly sailing through life. My own heroes and heroines (Jesus, John the Baptist, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Helen Keller, Mother Teresa) certainly were unfamiliar with the calm seas of life.
In fact, as they rode out the roughest seas imaginable, each would probably ask, “Calm seas? What’s a calm sea?”
Granted, when life’s tossing us to and fro, it’s hard to pause and appreciate the moment. Yet, in reality, we very well could do just that. Life’s trying moments and trials develop character and an inner strength that would, otherwise, be non-existent. They keep us from becoming people who aren’t even worth knowing, let alone being.
If you feel as though you have not only your own share of trouble, but enough for three or four people – take comfort in this: You have the opportunity to help yourself to more strength than most people will ever know. If, that is, you take your rightful position.
What’s the rightful position? Being on top of the trials rather than under them. When we allow them to dictate our moods, how we spend our time, our outlook, our faith, and our relationships – we’re under their control. They’re on top and they’re scarcely allowing us enough air to breath!
But if we take the upper hand and refuse to let them get us down, monopolize our time, shake our faith, or cause us to become bitter – we’re in control and can remain on top. Since the view’s much better from that vantage point, it’s easily the option we should aim for.
The people who show up on lists of heroes and heroines had this view of the world and we’d do well to share it.
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