This is courtesy of Bob Starkey's blog at http://hoopthoughts.blogspot.com/
I received this via email from my friend and mentor Dale Brown. During my tenure under Coach Brown, he was always at his best in difficult times. A great deal has to do with his attitude and the choice he makes not to accept adversity but to be invigorated by the challenge it creates. Here is his email:
After a major disappointment or failure to be sad and fearful is not a weakness but you must remember that there is only one power greater than fear and that is faith. The boldness of faith is so powerful that nothing can stop it. Stand firm and persevere. Have courage and wait patiently, and comfort will come when you most need it because God will not abandon you. It has been said that it is only after some painful struggle that one usually finds the deepest peace. Suffering is and always will be a mystery. You don’t explain a mystery; you respect it and trust God with it. If you let adversity whip you it’s because you allowed it. My friend Coach Don Meyer who has suffered unbelievable sickness and injury said, “Peace is not the absence of trouble, trial, and torment but calm in the midst of them.” History is punctuated with instances where people became strongest at their weakest point. Famous historian Arnold Toynbee believed that all people react in one of four ways under the most difficult circumstances:
1. Retreat into the past.
2. Daydream about the future.
3. Retreat within and wait for someone to rescue them.
4. FACE THE CRISIS AND TRANSFORM IT INTO SOMETHING USEFUL.
The greatest power in the world is our power to choose. You have special talents that God has given you, now let God give you peace and hope.
Adversity only visits the strong but stays forever with the weak. Stay Strong and Whip Adversity!
