LIfe In The Middle

Having Fortitude To Face Adversity With Courage

Fortitude is one of those words that make people feel uncomfortable. Usually if you use it when you’re talking about an experience someone is going through, you’re glad it’s them who is exhibiting “Fortitude” and not you. You know what I mean. Fortitude as you’re going through a divorce. Fortitude as you’re going through cancer. Fortitude when you’re going through foreclosure or unemployment. No, not many people want to have that word linked to what they are experiencing in life.

Fortitude is derived from the Latin word Fortitudo, meaning strength or courage. The dictionary says it is mental and emotional strength in facing adversity, danger, or temptation, courageously. Fortitude is not a word that fits too well in a society that emphasizes “situation ethics”.

I am reading a book written by Stewart Steven entitled The Spymasters of Israel. It perfectly describes the one characteristic that the Jews had to have to help them go through the refiner’s fire. Without fortitude Israel would not exist today. Without fortitude Israel would not have the strength to survive. Fortitude is the backbone of the nation of Israel. It is taught early in life, it is what gives them the stamina to face whatever life throws at them.

Fortitude seems to be missing in lives of most people. They try to figure out the easiest way to do something. The next most important thing they learn is how to “negotiate”. With these two skills most individuals seem to think they’ll get where they want to go. It is one of the biggest con jobs a young person receives. It is taught and sold to society in homes, in schools, on playgrounds, at work, and reinforced by the media and advertisers.

Let me assure you, you will experience adversity and hardship sometime in your life. You may have money, you may have the best education, or the hold the most prestigious of positions. It doesn’t matter. Your time will come.

Some parents have actually recognized that when their child is exposed to a situation with a little adversity, their child learns how to work out solutions, and will develop the fortitude to face adversity. They have found when a person has the ability to face adversity, he will be more likely to accept the consequences of living a full and rich life.

Now go back to the book I was telling you about. The founders of the State of Israel had already gone through some of the most challenging experiences life could give them. They had been hunted down, betrayed, gassed, and tortured. Their experiences before had proven they knew how to endure hardship. What the book revealed as well was not all of those individuals exhibited a high degree of honor as they went through adversity with fortitude.

The hope is that enough of us will learn not only the lessons of courage, but do so with honor and integrity. As a nurse I have seen individuals endure the most horrendous experience with courage, but afterwards become bitter, cynical, and completely insensitive to others. Why is that? Yes, they faced down their dragon, but they never forgave life for giving them the experience. I’m sorry, but to me, when the next time comes, and it will; that person is going to crumble like a house that has been built on sand.

I hope that the lessons you have had from life will help you face the adversities that life hands you. I hope you face them courageously, but I hope you rise above them a better person. Think about this. Until later...Colleen

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Copyright  2009     Leland Pulley