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Planted in Adversity, Harvested in Hope

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Anza-Borrego Desert
Image by Waqas Ahmed via Flickr

Written by Karen D. Swim

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The imagery of the desert is often used to symbolize adversity or those seasons in our life when we are  challenged from every angle. The dry, scrabbly land and unforgiving climate aptly describe how we feel when we toil for answers and receive no harvest in return.

In the desert, relationships change. Just like the sun, welcoming in fair weather but  becoming a fiery enemy in the desert region, searing your defenses with its white hot rays. You are forced to slow your pace, to measure your steps and adapt to the land like the prickly cacti that conserve their own water to survive.

“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” –Arthur Golden

Yet, both adversity and the desert, difficult and unkind on the surface can bring forth a beauty unequaled in “milder” climates. In the desert you tap into your source of inner strength as you still the confusion and tune into the silence that surrounds you. Like the cacti, you draw from your inner well to nourish and sustain you. You no longer drink arrogantly allowing the liquid of life to spill to the ground and evaporate but savour each precious as it revives and restores you.

In the inky night sky of the desert the stars are at their most brilliant. And in the darkness of challenge,  it is our faith that lights up the sky shining brighter than ever before.

I have never willingly planned a vacation in the land of adversity but I will admit to learning my greatest lessons while there. I have been scorched by the desert sun and momentarily been fooled by the mirage of false hope. I believed that I would perish in the wilderness and the vultures would feast upon my carcass. It was in the darkness of those moments that water poured from the rocky land nourishing me and giving me hope that I would find my way home.

When I finally made my way to the end of the desert path, I looked back to see the dry and rocky land covered in a field of sprawling wildflowers,strong, untamed and free.

It is said that adversity is the best teacher, do you agree?

This post is an entry in the What I Learned from Adversity group writing project. The writing project is open to everyone and if you’d like to contribute, the deadline is midnight April 12th.

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Comments

  2. Karen,

    You triumph in the land of adversity because of who you are, what you believe, and how you respond.

    I agree with Andrew, though, that other people fall apart instead of learning from the situation. Our church has an online prayer ministry, and we’re praying for several people who aren’t handling adversity well at all—people who feel their own prayers aren’t being heard and they have been abandoned by God.

    Lillie Ammann´s last blog post..Adversity? What Adversity?

  3. I’ve never been to the desert, though I’d love to visit if only to see the night sky. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be there. Oddly, I’ve read about several artists who prefer the desert (Stevie Nicks comes to mind). It’s a perfect metaphor for the challenges that life puts on our paths.

    Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..18 Do-it-Yourself Proofreading Tips

  4. Karen, Adversity is a powerful teacher because when we face it, we find out who we really are. In a business context, companies can ignore their weaknesses as they journey through the (seemingly) endless garden of an economic boom. But in the desert of bad times, every weakness is exposed. There’s no hiding from the hot sun of adversity.

    Brad Shorr´s last blog post..Why URLs Should Contain Your Keywords

  8. @Andrew, I never thought of this way but you are so right. Recent events come to mind here in the US of those pushed over the edge of insanity by adversity. When you are not grounded in faith, adversity can toss you around and throw you to the ground. I can’t say I love adversity but I would not want to endure it without God.

    Karen Swim´s last blog post..Planted in Adversity, Harvested in Hope

  9. Hi Karen,

    I feel that the question of whether or not adversity is a good teacher or otherwise depends upon how you respond to the situation.

    For those who merely sink deeper into despair, adversity probably doesn’t do a whole lot of good.

    But I feel that those who respond in a positive manner and endure the hard times often end up gaining a significant amount of depth and personal growth as a human being.

    This is particularly, but not exclusively in my view, the case for those who trust in god, and that depending on the nature of the adversity concerned, the process of dealing with adversity may help to further solidify and strengthen one’s relationship with the Lord.

    Andrew´s last blog post..The shopkeeper who did not like ‘nigger money’

  11. Adversity may not be my favorite teacher – not by a long shot! – but I’d have to agree that it’s probably the best! I love the final image you wrote:

    “When I finally made my way to the end of the desert path, I looked back to see the dry and rocky land covered in a field of sprawling wildflowers,strong, untamed and free.”

    Amazing how that works, ain’t it?

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