Shark in Disguise

June 23, 2021

Entry #9

Is there a time in your life when you've almost given up? How about those times when adversity knocks you down? Do you still get up on the inside? Do you blame people, circumstances, or even God when something miserable happens to you?

More often than not, when adversity knocks us down, we prefer to be alone and sit in one corner crying in self-pity and asking, "What is happening to me?" We start to think of people, things, and situations that we can blame for why such misfortunes are happening to us.

We need to understand that no matter how successful we are in life, we all face struggles, problems, and, sometimes, major adversities. Since we live in an imperfect world, we are prone to having some circumstances that come against our will. These are situations, like a student being bullied in school, a mother who lost her baby, a father who met a car accident, a wife betrayed by her husband, or perhaps you received a bad report from your doctor about a serious illness.

We have the choice to refuse those negative words that will poison our hearts and minds. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

If there's one person who should be upset, lonely, and depressed, it should be the American surfer Bethany Hamilton, much known as the "soul surfer." However, instead of feeling beaten up, she did just the opposite.

This was a story about Bethany 2003, who was only 13 years old, who went out with her best friend to go surfing. Her friend's father and brother join them as well. While enjoyably lying on her surfboard, out of nowhere, a 15-foot shark suddenly attacked her and devoured her left arm. Yes, the shark ate up almost the whole of Bethany's left arm, leaving just the part from below her armpit. It took 20 minutes to paddle Bethany back to the beach. She had already lost about 60% of her blood when she was brought to the hospital. She stayed there for a week for a full recovery.

As for Bethany, she got frustrated for she knew surfing with just one arm would never be an easy task. How can she surf without her left arm? Imagine yourself surfing without your left arm.

She was traumatized by the tragic incident, but the trauma didn't hinder her from moving on and getting back on her feet. She decided not to let her traumatic experience rule over her life. In less than a year, she returned to her passion—surfing. No matter how difficult she went through, she stayed standing up on the inside! It took her great courage!

With great determination, she went back to surfing and learned the water sport with just one arm. From then on, life was like just how she used to spend it with both her arms. Her story started to inspire many people all over the world. Her life story was shown through a movie entitled Soul Surfer.

Instead of sitting in self-pity mourning about what she had lost, Bethany was even encouraged and strengthened that the adversity turned out to be a great blessing. She wholeheartedly accepted her fate. She never had any grudge against anybody else. Above all, she never questioned God.

Are you going through a difficult and dark time in your life? Perhaps someone spread bad rumors about you, mistreated you, beat you physically and emotionally, you lost your ability to walk, or lost something Of value to you. Never let that put you down! Get up on the inside and put your armor back! Instead of blaming people or even God for what happened to you, stay in an attitude of faith amid your adversity.

Don't wallow in self-pity! Instead, focus on the purpose of your adversity in advancing to what God intended you to be! Instead of being weary and worn down, be encouraged by Bethany Hamilton who, after being beaten by a shark and swallowed her entire left arm, remained in faith and became the source of inspiration to others.

No matter how many times you get beaten down, keep standing on the inside and strengthen your faith. Be determined to unleash the highest potential God intended you to be!

Problems are not stopped signs, they are guidelines. - Robert Schuller

Lead image from Google.

Hi, it's me, Noelle. Please Like and Subscribe 😊 Thank you!