” Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11
History has a way of helping us to see how our present crises or predicament is nothing compared to what some people have been through, showing us how they walked through their seemingly difficult situation, the mistakes they made and avoidable errors that we can learn from, as well as their recorded successes and how we can leverage on such.
Sometimes, due to our unrealistic approach to life, we ignore the beauty that comes with historical events and choose to navigate through life using our effort and knowledge, without taking time to learn from those who have gone ahead of us so that we can avoid making the same mistakes they made, while we focus on what worked for them and how that can inspire our resilience in the face of difficulties.
One historical event that is worthy of note is that of the Donna Party in the United States of America. This was a group of American pioneers who relocated to California in a wagon train. As a result of several unexpected events that came up during their journey, they spent the winter of 1846-1847 snowbound around the Sierra Nevada mountain range, as a result of which some of the travelers gave in to cannibalism in order to survive. As mild as this story may sound, you might need to read further on this historic event to know how much the sufferings, pain, torment and sacrifice made by some people brought about the birth of the beautiful state of California.
As I reflected on the several changes and crisis that has accompanied this eventful year- 2020, I remembered the Donna party and I said to myself ” There is nothing I have been through, that is comparable to what these people had to experience for the sake of birthing what has now become “The Golden State- California”.
Their experience and woes is what I call unpalatable and unthinkable indeed, yet they did not give up in the pursuit of their dreamland. How close is your present situation to that of the Donner party? Not so close right? This explains the fact that you are in a better place despite the stress, changes and difficulties that has accompanied this year for quite a number of people.
If the Donna party crew could endure the challenges they were confronted with, you can also get through anything if you set your heart to do so, relying on your Source(God) for strength, wisdom and direction to weather the storms of life as they come. Think about this before you give up on your dreams, give in to defeat or give up on life generally.
There is nothing you are experiencing at the moment that history does not have in its archive. We sometimes need to simply learn from those who have gone ahead of us and try to leverage on their strengths, will power, audacity, and resilience while we avoid making the same mistakes they made.
Rather than conclude that your experiences are the worst ever, learn to find out from history how other people survived the things you are going through and you will be amazed at how much your discovery will point at how you can also overcome what you consider to be impossible to overcome.
Interestingly, the Bible has the most beautiful histories ever recorded. Its pages are full of several record of pain, loss, betrayal, battles, failures, hardship, famine, death, as well as victories, joy, hope, abundance, promotion, recovery, etc. Those who have gone ahead of us had their fair share of bitter and sweet experiences and while some gave up, gave in or accepted defeat, others stood firm and strong in their faith in the Almighty God. We can learn from the mistakes, weaknesses and strength of those who have gone ahead of us, choosing to see their lives as an example to be followed or avoided as the case may be.
You are not going through what someone else has never been through before, find out how those who have gone ahead of you overcame. Stay strong, focused and determined in the face of the most challenging situations you are confronted with that pose as something new under the Sun, when there really is nothing new under the Sun.
It shall end in praise.
FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:28, 1 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 10:11-14, Romans 15:4, Ecclesiastes 1:4-11
Author Profile
- Temitope is the founder of thesoulmeal.com, an online platform that she shares with her God-given spiritual family and friends. She is a speaker, teacher and youth counselor. She is passionate about inspiring people to find their identity in Christ. Catch her interviewing inspiring leaders on Tongue of the Learned Podcast
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Beautiful
Amen! Amen!! Amen!!!.
The light of God must shine at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you so much for these words of encouragement. All will be well.