physical health. Adversity can cause the, often apparent, mechanical reactions of depression and hopelessness. Dealing with, and responding to adverse situations in your life will cause you to have pressure and stress which could result in possible psychological problems.

Two people might have the same kind of adversity but they will react in different ways and the outcome will be different. One may come out of it a winner and more positive in life with the strength and power to keep fighting. The other might be depressed and not willing to carry on living because they can’t see a way out of the situation, they don’t have the energy to fight back, they just give up.

The pressures of life and the related stress, affect the blood pressure, cholesterol levels and the possibilities of heart attack. Adversity can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to disease and illnesses. People who are optimistic live a healthier life than pessimistic people, because their attitude of mind and positive outlook on life means that they face and overcome the adverse situations with less stress.

Truth is hard to swallow but whether you like it or not, adversity is part of life.  Overcoming adversity is one of the biggest hurdles you will face. Pain and death are part of life. To reject pain and death is to reject life itself. To reject adversity is to reject life. When Jesus faced the worst adversity in his life, it was on the cross and he prayed for the cup to pass him by but he understood this will never pass him by, so he accepted the situation the way it was. Problems, large and small, present themselves to you throughout your whole existence. Regardless of how sharp, clever, or happy-go-lucky you are you will encounter struggle, challenges, difficulties and at times, heart wrenching moments. So stop fasting and praying against adversity. Rather embrace adversity and pray that God should give you the wisdom and strength to overcome it and learn to grow from it.

When you try to avoid adversity you will end up attracting it. All you need to do is to train your mind so you can live above every adversity as they present themselves to you. The ability to effectively respond to and overcome adversity, will not only reduce the effect it has on your physical and emotional health, it will enhance your performance, which will be seen in a greater focus, increased productivity and you will feel more creative. Less time will be spent blaming yourself and getting depressed and there will be a noticeable increase in the speed of recovery from the challenges and setbacks that you experience. You will have a feeling of being in control and will have a constructive approach to how you address the challenges that you encounter each day. You now have more energy and a feeling of empowerment.

Learning to deal with and overcoming adversity is what makes us who we are. Every challenge and every difficulty we successfully confront in life serves to strengthen our will, our confidence and our ability to conquer future obstacles. Adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a man that would have lain dormant in its absence. What does not kill you makes you strong. Overcoming adversity makes you strong. When you respond positively and constructively to your biggest challenges, the qualities of strength, courage, character and perseverance emerge from deep inside of you.  

What is most powerful is when you can turn your adversity into profit. The people that experience fulfilment in their lives have had to endure many of the same adverse situations, but because they have a love of life, have had inspirational ideas and had faith in the outcome of their endeavours, they have overcome these adversities. The ability to transform adversity into a challenge or opportunity is one of the traits that are a virtue of mankind. So how can you turn adversity into profit, into an opportunity or a challenge?

Acceptance: You need to accept the reality of what has happened, and accept the fact that this isn’t something you can go back and change. Many times we worry and think of our mistakes and wrongs but this is not the time to reflect on how you got into this in the first place. You should never deny the reality of what has happened or the emotions this has stirred, but rather than worrying about what you could have done differently, you should start thinking about what changes you want to make moving forward. This will open a new door of opportunity for you.

Learn to Take Responsibility: Don’t feel like a victim here but rather respond to it in a positive manner. Whilst the situation may be something you could never have prevented, the way you respond to it is something you can take responsibility for. The way in which you handle negative experiences is up to you, and once you realise that, you will be empowered to find positive ways of channelling your energy.

Appreciate the Good Times: The difficult times enable us to appreciate the good times when looked positively and this can be a fuel that will energize you and empower you to overcome the adversity.

What You Prepare For: Be prepared to accept the worst, should it occur. When you have prepared yourself mentally for the worst, it rarely ever happens, and if it does, it seems less so because you are better equipped to handle it.

Learn from it: There are lessons to learn so be a student and start learning from the adversity. Be open-minded as you allow the adversity to lecture and teach you some life secrets. If you have managed to accept the unpleasant experiences you have endured, and you have taken responsibility for the way you react, it’s important to stop and reflect on the ways in which that journey has affected you. Has it made you a stronger person, better prepared to take on challenges in future? Are you wiser now, more comfortable with your place in the world? Perhaps you will even be able to pass on the insights you have gained to others facing adversity of their own.

Identifying new goals: This is the time you need to be honest with yourself were you can use your passion to grow and equip yourself in life. We were being made redundant in 2007, most of my colleagues were depressed but I started planning and registered my own company in preparation and when the time came I was a CEO already. The situation gave me the opportunity to think better and act promptly. There is no better time to take stock of the direction in which your life is heading. You need to be more grateful for the time you’ve got, and think of new things you want to achieve, places you want to see, or experiences you want to have.

Pursuing your dreams: Once you’ve set some new goals for yourself, remember how active you are in dictating your own destiny, and follow your dreams!

Adversity is a blessing in disguise but it is what you see in it that gives you what you get from it so look to see the positive and the good in it and embrace the positive so you can be an achiever from the adversities you face in your life.