How I handle adversity is mostly determined by how I interpret the following passage of scripture:
Gen 3:17 “…So I will put a curse on the ground, and you will have to work very hard for your food all the days of your life. The ground will produce thorns and weeds for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. You will sweat and work hard for your food…”
Less than 2% of Americans are actually farmers and have to deal with the curse on the ground of thorns and weeds, but we all work hard for our food or money to buy food. How you interpret the “thorns and weeds” of your life, determines how you handle adversity. There are three ways to interpret the things that cause trouble or cause you to have to “sweat and work hard:”
- I’m being punished – “It’s my fault, I did something bad and I deserve to be punished.”
- I’m a victim – “I don’t deserve this, someone did this to me or someone else is making my life hard.”
- I’m being reminded of my need for dependency on God – “This is an opportunity for me to turn my heart toward the Father and rely on Him for my strength.”
Just as Adam and Eve did in their garden, we attempt to get on top of life and do things so we don’t have to depend on God. The curse was placed as an obstacle to slow us down when we are cruising through life on our own strength. Even though I will continue to share things I’ve learned on my leadership journey, it’s important to remember that we can’t possibly master enough leadership principles to completely get on top of life. There will always be “thorns and weeds” to remind us of our need for dependency on God: Walk with Him daily, learn to hear His voice and He will direct your path.
