Miracle Gro: “Plant food developed for maximum bloom yield.”

Adversity: “Misfortune: hardship and suffering, adverse happening: an extremely unfavorable experience or event.”

What do these two words have in common? I believe everything.

Last year I started experiencing pain, a pain that after nine months left me temporarily crippled. I was unable to sit or walk.

Finally, my oldest daughter said to me one morning, “Mom can you cry a little quieter? Your crying is keeping me up at night.” I had tried prayer, blessings and every alternative healing modality; from affirmations, acupuncture, chiropractors Nucca, and massage, nothing I tried brought any relief.

One day when I couldn’t walk anymore, and this adversity seemed to be getting the best of me, I got an MRI and we found the problem: fragments from a ruptured disc. I had surgery and have been able to return to almost normal physical activities since.

The reason I am sharing this story is because of what I learned from it. I believe that all the adversity we go through is for a reason. Just sometimes the purpose takes a very long time to reveal itself, and this was one of those times.

One night as I pleaded as I had for months with God to show me what it was I needed to learn or let go of, an interesting thing happened.

As I was asking God to give me a word to hold on to, I did what I often do when I am seeking direction or understanding of His will for my life. I opened the scriptures and as it often does it fell open to a scripture that seemed to talk to me and my situation.

Still not comforted, I turned on the TV and, low and behold, there was the very same scripture showing on the screen. Then as I turned the channel to another station, this same scripture was being read and discussed. By then I gratefully received the message.

Here is the scripture: Hebrews 12:11 Now no “adversity” for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are “exercised” thereby.”

While I didn’t get a specific answer at that moment, I did receive an answer and comfort. And the message that stood out here was that the “fruit” of the experience, the “miracle gro part” only comes to those who choose to be “exercised” by it.

We have to believe that the adversity in our lives can bring about our “maximum bloom.” Adversity is our Miracle Gro plant food, so we can experience “maximum bloom,” and bear much “fruit.”

If we will search we will find that every experience we have is rich with learnings and gifts that are meant not only to bless our lives, but also to bless the lives of others. These experiences prepare and strengthen us so we can live our Life Purpose.

If we want to be “exercised thereby,” if we want to understand and find meaning in our life experiences, we need to ask questions like: “What can I learn from this?” “How can what I am learning from this serve others?”

Let’s avoid asking questions like “Why me?” or “Why is God punishing me?”or “What have I done wrong?” Questions like these will push us into a downward spiral and we will remain “fruitless.”

When we ask “what and how questions,” we move through are experiences with purpose and hope, gaining valuable insights and strengths.

Are we willing to consider the possibility that our adversities can provide us with the experiences we need so we can yield our “maximum fruit?”

Adversity can show us that we’re never really alone. When we turn to our Creator, He can show us who we are and what we are really capable of. Our experiences can give us deep and meaningful understandings and compassion for others, creating deep new friendships with bonds that last a lifetime.

Today’s quotes on miracles and adversity:

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.”—Jean De La Bruyere

“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness.”—author unknown

“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.”—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus), Satires

“There is no education like adversity. “Disraeli

“Adversity introduces a man to himself. “—Author Unknown

Today’s Challenge: Let us believe in the gifts of adversity and in so doing we can become God’s greatest miracle.

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Copyright © 2007 Becca Levie. All Rights Reserved. “Joy comes in finding and living your Life On Purpose.”—Becca Levie