Finding Strength in Life's Challenges: Turning Adversity into Opportunity

It's no surprise that since October 7th, we have all been dealing with crises in one form or another. Residents in southern Israel experienced a brutal attack, those in the north were displaced from their homes, many self-employed and salaried workers were left without livelihoods, our spiritual state began to destabilize and our basic sense of safety has been destroyed.

The word "crisis," evokes feelings of chaos, lack of control, and uncertainty. For many, crises are viewed as low points when life seems out of control.  But is it possible that crises are actually opportunities in disguise? Do they hold the potential for growth and change? One intriguing answer to this question lies in a concept called Post-Traumatic Growth.

What is Post-Traumatic Growth?

Many of us have heard the saying, "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger." The basic understanding is that crises can make us stronger if we learn to cope with them. Psychologists refer to this as "Post-Traumatic Growth" which is the process process through which people discover inner strengths they weren’t aware they had.

By confronting severe life situations and crises, including loss, severe illness, wars, or natural disasters, we are forced to make significant changes in our thoughts, emotions, and how we view life. 

First introduced in the 1990s, psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun argued that after a significant crisis, many people not only manage to overcome, but also discover hidden abilities and experience significant growth in different areas of their lives.

Crises in Judaism

"The righteous fall seven times and rise" (Proverbs 24:16)

Life is full of falls- we all experience failures, disappointments, and crises. But the verse "The righteous fall seven times and rise" reminds us that true greatness lies not in avoiding fall, but in the ability to get up each time.

The righteous, moral and strong individual, falls repeatedly but rises each time. Our successes aren’t measured by the number of times we’ve fallen but by our willpower and determination to continue forward, despite the falls. Failing isn't a weakness because it takes real strength to rise after every obstacle.

Life is a journey of ups and downs, but each time we rise from a fall, we grow and become stronger. If you fell today, remember that the strength to rise is what truly makes you strong.

"And David and the people with him lifted their voices and wept, until they had no more strength to weep" (1 Samuel 30:4)

This verse describes one of King David's most difficult moments when he and his men return to Ziklag to find that the Amalekites have burned the city and captured their wives and children. This is not only a physical blow but also a deep emotional one. David and his men were broken to the point that "they wept until they had no more strength to weep." This moment of complete breakdown marks the peak of the crisis, where it seems that the situation can't get any worse.

However, from this place of no strength to weep is precisely where the transformation begins. When David and his men reach this low point, they must confront the harsh reality and seek solutions. This moment of total despair becomes a turning point- rather than staying in their pain and tears, David decides to act. He turns to Hashem to inquire if he should pursue the Amalekites and try to rescue the women and children. After receiving a positive response, he leads his men to a successful battle and retrieves all the captives.

"Be strong and courageous," Deuteronomy 31:6-7

In times of crisis, it’s easy to feel there’s no way out, the path is blocked, and the strength to continue is fading. But amidst these low moments, the call "Be strong and courageous" resounds. It’s not just a prompt to action but a reminder that within each of us lies tremendous strength, even when everything seems lost.

This verse was spoken to the people of Israel just before entering the Promised Land, standing before an enormous challenge of entering a new land and facing battles and obstacles. Moses urges them to be strengthened and filled with courage, not to fear or break down before the inhabitants of the land, because despite the impending difficulties, Hashem is always with them, and they possess the power to succeed. This faith is essentially the key to success.

The verse "Be strong and courageous" is relevant even today. Whenever we face a crisis, whether personal, social, or national, we must remember this message: the challenges are an inevitable part of life, but we hold within us the power to face and overcome them. This is a message of faith and mental strength, even when the path seems difficult and impossible.

Within each of us lies a tremendous strength, even when all seems lost

People Who Turned Crisis into Opportunity

Dr. Viktor Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, became one of the leading advocates of the idea that crisis and trauma can turn into opportunity. In his book, "Man’s Search for Meaning," Frankl describes how despite the horrors he faced in concentration camps, he found a way to overcome trauma by finding meaning in life. Frankl argued that even in the most dire conditions, one can find hope and meaning if they discover a purpose or reason to live.

Thomas Edison, one of the most important inventors in history, was initially considered a failure in school, and he dropped out at a young age. He failed many times in his attempts to invent the electric bulb, and was regarded as a "failure" by many. But instead of giving up, Edison turned every failure into a learning point. His famous quote was: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Eventually, his successes turned him into a key figure in the world of science and technology.

Oprah Winfrey faced extreme poverty, abuse, and loss in her childhood. Despite all these hardships, she became one of the most successful and influential women in the world of media. Oprah herself has often referred to her crises as forces that focused and drove her to grow. "Failure," she once said, "is only a preparation for success".

Steve Jobs, the founder of "Apple," experienced a major crisis when he was fired from the company he founded. It was one of the hardest moments of his life, but he handled the failure with strength. Jobs took the opportunity to establish NeXT and build Pixar into a successful animation company. Eventually, he returned to Apple and transformed it into one of the leading companies in the world. This crisis not only made him a more creative leader, but also strengthened his belief in himself and his vision.

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani women's and children's rights activist, was shot by Taliban militants at age 15 for her advocacy for girls' right to education. Despite the severe injury, Malala survived the attack and after her recovery, became a global advocate for education and peace. She received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17 and became an international symbol for the fight for human rights and equitable education.

Crises can indeed be opportunities for personal growth. The process of post-traumatic growth teaches us that even out of the greatest difficulties, we can find hope, meaning, and potential for change. The crises we experience, though painful and unsettling, can become positive turning points in our lives, if we choose to see them as gateways to new opportunities.

Practically, How to Turn a Crisis into an Opportunity?

Turning a crisis into an opportunity isn’t an easy task. It involves a process that requires self-awareness, determination, faith, and support. Following are some tips to help you grow:

Acceptance and Understanding

The first step in dealing with a crisis is accepting the situation. This doesn’t mean surrendering to the pain, but recognizing the existing reality and that the crisis is part of life. It’s okay to feel the pain, to feel out of control, and even to cry—but only for a limited time. Acceptance allows us to redirect our energy towards recovery and rebuilding.

Taking Action

After dealing with pain and accepting the difficulty, it’s time to get up and act. Instead of remaining in a state of helplessness, we need to take initiative and find ways to solve the problem. As King David went to recover his loved ones, we see that true growth begins the moment we choose not to surrender to difficulty, but to act to change the situation.

Belief in the Path

When Moses tells the people of Israel "Be strong and courageous," he reminds them they are not alone, and nor are we. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me," is one of the most famous Psalms, expressing absolute trust in God, even in the darkest times.

Faith in a greater power, as well as in our goal, our family, or our community, and in our values, can help us face any challenge.

Supportive Relationships

Many crises evoke a need for deeper social connections. Seeking help, mutual support, and strengthening family and community ties can greatly aid in the healing process. Meaningful relationships provide a person with a sense of security and a foundation for growth.

Finding Meaning

Many who have experienced post-traumatic growth report finding new meaning in their lives as a result of the crisis. To find meaning, ask yourself questions such as: "What am I learning from this crisis?" "How can I add value to my life and others’ lives as a result of what happened?" If you experienced a difficult challenge, try to take a lesson from it.

Spiritual Growth

For some, a crisis represents an opportunity for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Many will report that through a crisis, they have deepened their connection with themselves, with others, or with the spiritual world.

Setting New Goals

When a crisis drastically changes reality, it may require recalibration. Setting new goals is a way to deal with the situation and create a future vision. These goals may lead to new directions in life in career, studies, or personal development.

No matter how difficult the path appears, we must never give up! Within every difficulty lies an opportunity for growth, as long as we choose to believe in the power within us.