The Life Survival Hack
Maintaining Composure Amidst Adversity
Many of us, the “baby girls” and “baby boys” of the world, wish for a “soft life,” a smooth existence without complications. Yet, life consistently presents huddles and adversity. The goal, however, isn’t to avoid these challenges, but to learn how to maintain composure, demonstrate excellence, and fulfill purpose even in the midst of adversity.
The reality is that struggles are not meant to destroy you; they are designed to teach you. By shifting our mindset, we can turn adversity from a shocker into a teacher, a refiner, and a stepping stone.
Adversity is Part of the Curriculum
Adversity, struggles, and challenges are a teacher. The biblical assurance is clear: in this life, you will face persecution and troubles. The earlier we accept that struggles are part of everyday living, the easier it is for us to respond better.
When hardship hits, it is not meant to kill you; it is meant to help you build character, resilience, and “muscles”. A good tool only becomes shiny after it goes through fire. Adversity should be viewed as a setup to step up, not a setback. Trials are stepping stones to greater opportunities.
The Critical Role of Mindset
A lot of the challenges we face are rooted in how we think and our perception of who we are, and who we believe God to be.
1. Adversity Should Not Define You
You must not allow adversity to define your identity. If you start to see your current position as who you are—for example, thinking you are poor because you currently lack money—then that becomes your reality. Your heart and mind must be positioned to believe that although you don’t have money currently, you will have it if you take the necessary actions.
2. Beware of Spiritualizing Every Problem
A common issue is immediately attributing struggles—like repeated job rejection or financial loss—to spiritual attacks or external issues. Often, the problem is not spiritual but a mindset problem or a practical skill gap. For instance, if you repeatedly fail the final interview stage, the issue might be your communication style with senior management, not a “spiritual thing”.
3. Avoid Irresponsible Faith
We must recognize that we are double-edged swords—we believe in purpose (faith and prayer) and profession (works and practical action).
Toby emphasizes a crucial point: Any faith in God that makes God totally responsible for the outcome of your life is an irresponsible faith. While God can do anything, He will not do the part that you are supposed to play.
If you rely solely on prayer while maintaining a “whack CV” and failing to improve intellectually, you are not doing your part. If you miraculously get a job through prayer but are sacked after three months, it is likely due to incompetence because you didn’t add to your knowledge or fulfill your responsibilities. Responsibility for improvement largely rests on us as humans.
Six Essential Responses to Maintain Composure
When faced with trials, the way you respond will determine the outcome (life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond).
1. Count it All Joy and Give Thanks: This is the primary scriptural response. Every situation, good or bad, is an opportunity to learn a vital life lesson. Giving thanks, even after a severe loss, opens your heart to the lessons you need to learn and the breakthrough that is coming.
2. Acknowledge Your Emotions: It is normal to feel overwhelmed, tired, stressed, or frustrated. Acknowledge these feelings without judgment; this allows you to process them and prevents them from building up.
3. Maintain Hope and Hold Onto God: Every difficult phase is temporary. Hold onto God and the promises you have received, drawing inspiration from figures like Joseph, who was faithful during 13 years of slavery and imprisonment.
4. Focus on What You Can Control: You cannot control external circumstances like the economy or other people’s actions, but you can control your attitude and actions. You must focus on working to get the best out of your current situation.
5. Do Not Flee the Process: Do not take the “cheap route out” by running away from hard situations. Running away (cowarding out) from an opportunity meant to build resilience means you avoid the lesson today, but you will inevitably have to fight that same battle later. The character you avoid building now will be demanded later.
6. Seek Support: Talk openly about your difficulties. Ask for help from friends, family, and mentors. Having someone to talk to is crucial to prevent isolation, which can lead to destructive outcomes.
By embracing this tough truth, we are equipped to see adversity as a chance to grow and become ready for the next level. Don’t let the process make you bend or break.