Stress produces strength. Body builders know that muscles pushed to their limits respond by growing thicker and stronger. Likewise, studies show that people who experience trauma often develop a “survivor personality.” They cope better when facing trials. They’re more resilient, more emotionally balanced, and simply more grateful to be alive. So “count it all joy when various trials fall upon you. Because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And that perseverance, when it has finished its work, will make you whole and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to start slide show. And don’t miss the quotes below!
“Even in times of trauma, we try to maintain a sense of normality until we no longer can. That, my friends, is called surviving. Not healing. But those of us who have made it through hell and are still standing? We bare a different name: warriors.” ~Lori Goodwin
Before you were born,
And were still too tiny for
The human eye to see,
You won the race for life
From among 250 million competitors.
And yet,
How fast you have forgotten
Your strength,
When your very existence
Is proof of your greatness.
You were born a winner,
A warrior.
Why do you even doubt victory
Against smaller numbers,
And wider margins?
~Suzy Kassem
“The power we discover inside ourselves as we survive a life-threatening experience can be utilized equally well outside of crisis, too. I am, in every moment, capable of mustering the strength to survive again—or of tapping that strength in other good, productive, healthy ways.” ~Michele Rosenthal
“Courage is found in unlikely places.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien
“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~Winston S. Churchill
“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” ~August Wilson
Great stuff
Thanks, L.G.
That is the thing. We avoid our trauma and keep being a victim to it.
Instead of working through it, and becoming a surviver as you say, Mitch
Sadly true, Maria.
King of images with words!
Thanks, Geoff!
“suvivorship” has become more and more challenging. Seems we had best become stubborn and live in-spite-of to survive. The ability to simply flourish in self affirmation evaporates. It’s exausting but I still insist that life’s injustices, oppressions, misfortunes and stroke, heart attacks and cancer will not crush me. What will definitely crush me is to surrender in the shadows of non personhood.
Well and bravely said, my friend.
So true Mitch. To survive is to persevere. To be a victim is to the let the other side win. I ain’t no victim. That mindset has allowed me to get over a whole heap of trouble that never should have arrived at my door, but it did. Do I wish some of that stuff never happened in the first place? Hell yeah. I am stronger for the challenge and the growth? Yes to that as well. It seems we need some adversity to grow.
We don’t have to like it, but yes we do, Alisen.
Nicely said, Mitch! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, T.
A timely message, Mitch. Thanks
My pleasure, Dirt.
yes.
I so agree! Too many misunderstand that being confronted with difficulties does not mean they are to be punished but that they have the ability to survive. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves they should look back how far they have come.
Thanks for this important and encouraging reminder since humans tend to fall into that self-pity attitude.
You’re right, Erika. We need all the encouragement we can get.
this is a very relevent post to me this week. I’ve come to the realisation, that I have had a stalker lurking in the shadows for the last 30 years or so.
Wow. That’s unsettling.
Survivors are friend magnets. Chronic victims/complainers are not. Loved the images and quotes, Mitch! 🙂
Right you are, Nancy.
This article powerfully highlights the importance of resilience and courage in facing life’s challenges. The author’s message is incredibly inspiring and empowering, urging us to see difficulties not as an end, but as a shaping process that makes us more whole and complete. By combining analogies, scripture, and motivational quotes, the author successfully builds a convincing argument that everyone has the potential to become a true warrior.
Great pictures and quotes. I loved the little kitten hugging someone’s foot.
Yeah, that last shot is so heartwrenching.
That pic of the skunk and the dog reminds me of when my hound dog Gracie got sprayed in the face. Poor thing had such a look of shame in her eyes when she came home. We got her cleaned up though which I’m sure made her feel better.
Awww.
Most days I’m thriving…at least for a few hours!
🧡
For reasons I will not bore you with, I think the words you used — You’re a survivor, not a victim, were meant for me to read today. Thank you for the inspiration they gave me. I will try to remember them.
So glad this spoke to you, Danny.
Trauma creates a different mind.
Yep, there’s a reason none of the various aneurysm/SAH groups I’m in have “Victim” in the name, but several have “Survivor” … 😉
Survive on, my friend!
For sure!
So true. The greatest trial in my life has helped me face succeeding ones with greater faith in Christ.
Amen!
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