Triumph Over Tragedy

If you look for the good during trial and pain,

your spirit and outlook will not be the same.

Instead of drowning in sorrows, so grim,

your days will be brighter; you'll find strength from within.  

~ Stacy Coles

Tragedy and trials come in different ways for each of us. Some of us have experienced the loss of a parent, the loss of a child, or the pain of not being able to have children. Some have heard the chilling words that they have an incurable disease. Some have experienced the heartache of watching their home being destroyed by natural disaster. Some have found they are paralyzed after a sporting or car accident. Unfortunately, we will all experience some sort of tragedy in our lives. How we deal with these challenges or tragedies will define who we are, and in some aspects shape the rest of our lives.

When we find ourselves in the face of adversity and trial, it might feel easier to give up or give in than to work through the pain. When it feels like the darkness is never-ending and all hope feels lost, remember that tomorrow is another day. We each possess a lot more strength within us than we give ourselves credit for. Finding this strength might be a challenge, but it's there.

Take things one day at a time. Don't expect things to turn around all at once. Be patient with yourself, with those around you, and with the situation. Time might not change the outcome of your circumstances, but it does heal.

Look for the good. This can be hard, especially when you are in the midst of a tragedy. But, looking for the positive in a bad situation can immediately start the healing process. Those who have lost parents can lean on the life lessons they were taught. Those who have lost children too soon can rely on their precious memories and the time they were blessed with. Those who have lost a home can count their blessings as they comfort their family members who are safe. Those who suffer from a disease can become a beacon of hope as others watch their willpower to fight. Even in the worst of circumstances, try to find one good thing that has emerged from it. This might take some time to do, or some help from those around you ~ but find it. This one ray of sunshine, no matter how dim, can make a world of difference. When you find one piece of hope, you can build on it, find strength in it. Pretty soon, that one ray of hope will brighten your days more and more until you see the sunshine in it's entirety again.

Lose yourself in service. One of the best ways to lift yourself out of a bad place is by serving others. Service is a great way to bless other people's lives and forget your own trials. When helping those in need, you focus on the feelings and necessities of others. And by witnessing how your efforts help lift their spirits, you will, in turn, be lifting your own. Soon, your own trials might seem more manageable and less burdensome.

We all have a choice when trials come our way. We can let the bad take us down and keep us down, or we can pick ourselves up and turn the bad into something good. Regardless of how bad things might seem today, tomorrow is another day. Each tomorrow offers new hope and new possibilities. If we stay focused on the positives, we can draw the strength we need to triumph over our tragedies. After all, it's how we deal with trials, not the trials themselves, that determine our outcome.

Look For The Good

Triumph Over Tragedy

Deal With Trials