Profiting from Adversity

Problems are ever present in the life of every individual who is walking the earth today. The problems we face have the potential to ruin our day or create a fortune but ultimately the choice is up to us.
One person sees their obstacle as a roadblock to success while the other sees the same obstacles as another avenue that will generate them profit. What makes people see the same obstacle from a different prospective?

You will let your obstacles propel you forward by viewing them as opportunities to improve our lives and character.

Horace said, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.”

Think about the heartbreak you suffered when you lost that girlfriend or boyfriend in high school. Though the event was tragic there where several things that you learned. You learned:

1. How you did and did not want to be treated
2. What a person consistently does is who they are
3. When they are flirting with your friend do not turn the other cheek
4. No matter how bad the pain hurts eventually you will overcome the pain and be stronger from the experience.

Now let’s look at the same situation through a business prospective. How could you make money from the same painful breakup situation? Here are a couple of ideas: You could write a book on relationships emphasizing on how to recover from a breakup, create a website dealing with the emotional pain of a breakup and use Google Adwords on the site to generate a profit, open a business in your community that creates an environment where singles can hang out and get to know other singles, or start a non-profit organization that helps individuals recover from hurt. If these ideas line up with your passion you could take them, enhance them, and then use your area of hurt to create financial stability for your household.
When you do something that is proactive in the area where you have been hurt, that activity aids in the healing process.
In the Bible, James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

So here is the progression. You are going throughout your day minding your own business when a problem arises. This problem occurs in such a way that tries your emotions or in laymen terms, ticks you off. The trial causes you to wonder, “Is this really what I am supposed to be doing and if so, how am I going to get through this obstacle?” When you stick to the task that you know you are supposed to be doing this will cause you to develop persistence. Once persistence has fully developed within you, you will not lack financially, emotionally or in the area of fulfillment.

Thomas Paine said, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.”
People who are willing to risk everything for a cause will attract people to their cause. Individuals willingly follow this type of person because they know that regardless of the circumstances that may arise they will find a way to get the task accomplished. Are you that type of leader?

Your answer will be found the next time you are suffering from emotional pains. Will you react in a positive way, create opportunities so that others do not have to face what you faced with the information that you had? Or will you think only of how you may get over your problem and attempt to protect yourself from being hurt? The choice is yours…but remember your choice effects my future as well as yours.