It's true: hardship can prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny - approach life that way!
The famous Oxford and Cambridge professor and author C.S. Lewis stated the following:
Hardships prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.
In the last blogpost I shared some thoughts on why bad things happen to good people, and how to handle challenges in life. There is, of course, much more to say on this topic, as it's a complex one, yet approaching life in the proper way by seeing the good in the bad, the positive in the negative and opportunities in the challenges, is certainly recommendable over resentful victimhood. I see great utility in approaching life as a training to become mature and competent. I agree with C.S. Lewis that hardships can prepare ordinary people for extraordinary destinies. Do you?
I agree that some hardship can make us better, more mature and competent to manage life well, and that we can ultimately succeed. Such hardships are simply part of life and we need to accept that and respond to them properly. There are some tough circumstances, however, where it seems that nothing good come from them. There's evil in the world that makes one conclude that there's nothing good about it whatsoever. I would like to focus on the hardships in life that are manageable and if you respond well, there's great benefit in it.
We mentioned Joseph and Paul, both imprisoned and seeking to make the best of it all. Joseph got his great promotion in prison, and Paul had opportunities there he could not have had otherwise, and wrote powerful letters that changed and improved the lives of millions of people in the last 2,000 years. I'm grateful for their examples and the encouragement they give me in my life and circumstances. There's much we can learn from those who handled life well and paved a way for others to follow. Even the great tales that shaped national identities, like Robin Hood or Willhelm Tell, legendary as some aspects might be, gave hope to those who heard of their heroism and sought to be courageous in their own hardships. Life makes us or breaks us.
Many great men and women set an example for others to follow, and these were in one way or another related to how they overcame hardships and impossible odds. You're not alone. So rather asking yourself, Why is this happening to me? and falling into victimhood, better accept that this is happening to you, and focus on how to handle it well! One can even develop an attitude of gratitude in these trials of life, knowing that we can learn things in them we cannot learn in any other way. Be grateful for what you can learn and what you can become, but also knowing that the maturity you gain and the knowledge you acquire can help others overcome their difficulties better. Become an example yourself! There's comfort in this, especially when you have children - you're their primary example and you better be a good one!
'Struck down, but not Destroyed'
Paul was a powerful and inspiring example to many, both in his leadership to those around him and through the legacy he left to the rest of us. He had many opponents to deal with, great challenges to handle and many difficult problems to solve. He also suffered a great deal of hardships, but they made him a better person and more effective minister. At Ephesus, for example, 'a wide door for effective service' had opened to him, yet there were also 'many adversaries' (1 Corinthians 16:9). It seems to me that he was aware of, yet unmoved, because of his opposition, and focused on the opportunities presented to him. His attitude was remarkable: 'when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate' (1 Corinthians 4:12-13). Based on this exemplary conduct, he could encourage others to 'not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). Paul knew how to respond to pain and trouble caused by others. He accepted these evils as a part of life, yet found ways to overcome them and do what was right anyhow. Forgiveness certainly played a key role to keep his heart clean and free of bitterness.
Paul knew that God was faithful and any temptation or trouble could be overcome as we seek the exit strategy, the solution to the problem, God provided (1 Corinthians 10:13). Rather than blaming God or asking self-defeating questions, he trusted God to help him through it all. James emphasised that there is divine wisdom that helps us in our trials (James 1:5-6). They were solution-minded and relied on God to show them the way. The ancient psalmist prayed to God to deliver him from his enemies as he sought refuge in God (Psalm 143:9), yet also prayed that God would show him His lovingkindness at the start of the day and lead Him in the right paths by His Spirit and teach Him to do His will (see Psalm 143:8, 10). In His will is His provision. Paul knew this secret. Jesus taught His disciples that we can trust God's provision when we first seek His Kingdom, will and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
The power Paul relied on was in Christ. Through Him he could do anything (Phil 4:13). Paul knew that despite the trials and troubles, there was a way to serve God and overcome. The following words express this beautifully:
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
-2 Corinthians 4:8-9
It's wise to avoid unnecessary risks and trouble, but we must also accept the fact that some challenges cannot be circumvented - sometimes we must go through the storm! But it's best to approach it with courage and hope, rather than fear and anxiety. There are afflictions, yet they will not crush us; there are moments of perplexity, yet we must avoid despair and losing hope; we must know that when we are persecuted, we are not forsaken; and when we are struck down, it won't lead to our destruction. Paul could bounce back from trials and defeats. Even when he prayed to God to remove what he called 'a thorn in the flesh,' defined as 'a messenger of Satan,' those who caused insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties of all sorts, he accepted that these things exist for a reason. He could remain grateful for God's grace that is sufficient to handle these troubles (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). He would rather suffer these things and remain humble, then have it easy and risk becoming proud and lose everything. He was happy to be 'weak' in himself, but 'strong' in God (v 10). As someone said so spot on, 'a failure that keeps you humble is better than an achievement that makes you proud.'
Paul knew that these hardships served to prepare him for extraordinary destiny - and would also keep him there! It's one thing to achieve a certain position, it's another one to keep it. Success is not only defined by what he achieve, but by what we become by what we achieve and how we handle the positions of power. Towards the end of his life, reflecting on all he went through, Paul remained grateful that he had 'fought the good fight,' 'finished the course,' and 'kept the faith' (2 Timothy 4:6-7). He wasn't referring to a boxing fight or a golf course, but life in its fullness, including the pain and suffering we must face to reach what we desire. Paul's ultimate comfort was eternal: 'in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness' (v 8). He knew it was all worth it in the end. He was not resentful, but showed extraordinary forgiveness and love towards those who caused him harm. Paul knew his 'why' and endure any 'how' He had to go through. He took hardships to make him the person who lived an extraordinary destiny!
Let hardships make you better, not bitter. Let hardships not make you hardened, but tough, yet keep a good, soft heart. Let hardships prepare you for your extraordinary destiny. You're in the making while being in the breaking!
Always remain grateful.
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