Why Suffering and Sickness Didn’t Destroy Me – Part 3 of 3

(Part 3 of 3)

Adversity isn’t fun, is it? It often strikes when you least expect it. If you haven’t experienced any adversity yet, hold on…it’s coming! 

Adversity expresses itself in varying forms and degrees of magnitude.

Sometimes it’s small; sometime’s it’s big — really big — like the natural disasters so many have tragically recently experienced.

What adversity has your name stamped on it?

Is it a wandering child, a wayward spouse, a job you hate, a relationship loss, or perhaps a trauma you experienced that was totally out of your control?

For me, it was a defining illness that I experienced as a teenager.

Recently, I chose to share my personal adversity experience on this blog as part of a three-part series (you can find Part 1 and Part 2 by clicking on the links).

I intentionally chose the title, “Why Suffering and Sickness Didn’t Destroy Me.”

Why?

Because sadly, sometimes adversity does destroy people.

But it doesn’t have to.

A number of people will find it hard to believe that I can now say that I’m glad I had TB.

Don’t get me wrong! Had you asked me as a 17-year-old teenager,  “Are you happy going through this experience?” I would have thought “what a silly question. Of course not!”

With 39 years to reflect, however, I am thankful and grateful it was my TB test that came back positive.

In more concrete terms, having TB:

Humbled Me — The TB diagnosis brought a new “normal” to an introverted, awkward teenager. This illness was something God allowed. He opened my heart, through fervent prayer and study of His Word, to the fact that I needed to be more empathetic to others and to their trials and adversities.

He chose me to have TB, and through this experience, He was building my character and my resilience.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when 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.” (James 1:2-3, NIV)

Helped me Recognize the Limits of My Abilities — So often in today’s culture, overcoming adversity is described only in terms of the individual’s personal merits and attributes (e.g., personal achievement, education, personal greatness, etc.).

As Christians, the Creator of the Universe (who is way more powerful than you or I) is working through us, by His Holy Spirit living inside each one of us.

It “ain’t” about you or me. It’s about Him!

My personal power is finite; God’s power is infinite.

Provided me with the Privilege and Responsibility to Share My Story — I am a Christian, a wife, a Farm Girl, step-mother, and I am a TB Survivor. The experience transformed me into a better (but still imperfect) human being, and enhanced my spiritual development and growth.

My experience made it possible for me to share a story of hope and survival with others who have experienced the same or similar adversities.

God could have chosen to take me, but He didn’t. So, in the meantime, I’ll share my story and give Him the glory!

“And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15, NIV)

Finally, I would be remiss to close this post without a link to a TB Fact Sheet.

P.S.  “How I met the Man of my Dreams” turned out to be l-o-n-g-er than I expected, so I’m going to make it a separate post!”   😉