"You can choose to see a trial as a roadblock or an expressway. If you see it as a roadblock, it will obstruct your way. However, if you see it as an expressway, you can use it to learn and grow." "The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan whereby we can become what God wants us to become. In fact, we become great people because of our trials, not in spite of them." This booklet reviews the nature, origins, and purposes of adversity and includes suggestions on how to patiently trust in the Lord and His eternal plan and how to use these trials to learn and grow stronger. You can benefit from your trials if you: Develop a relationship with God Let others help you Let God carry your burdens Trust that the Lord is in control and allow His will to be done Remember that everyone has challenges Let adversity make you a better person Live with integrity Be patient Make the best of your situation Serve others Keep a positive attitude Keep an eternal perspective

Most people see trouble as something negative and seek to avoid it whenever possible. But what if it’s those troubles that actually lead to greater blessing and purpose? In The Blessing of Adversity, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and the 62nd chaplain of the U.S. Senate distills the wisdom gained from thirty years as a counselor, theologian, and psychologist. Barry Black offers a blueprint for removing the sting of life’s trials, showing us how to let God use our pain for his glory by blessing others—and how that can actually help heal our own pain. Drawing on Scripture and his own experiences as a counselor and chaplain to some of the most powerful people in the world, Black teaches us how to deal with seasons of God’s apparent silence, offers techniques for staying encouraged in the middle of life’s storms, and shows how to find advantages in adversity.

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the Teachings of Presidents of the Church series to help you deepen your understanding of the restored gospel and draw closer to the Lord through the teachings of latter-day prophets. As the Church adds volumes to this series, you will build a collection of gospel reference books for your home. This book features the teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from December 30, 1973, to November 5, 1985.

As the Baltimore Ravens made their improbable march to victory in Super Bowl XLVII, they turned to their senior advisor of player development, O.J. Brigance, for inspiration each and every Sunday. Following a stellar twelve-year career as a linebacker, including a Super Bowl win with Baltimore in 2000, O.J.Juice Brigance joined the Ravens front office. But in 2007, O.J. was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig's disease and told he had only three to five years to live. As a player, he'd battled hundreds of injuries and setbacks. None of them prepared him to face ALS. With faith and determination in his heart and his wife, Chanda, praying by his side, O.J. fought back against the debilitating disease, even as ALS robbed him of the ability to walk and speak. He kept working, smiling, and touching his players lives all the way through their remarkable Super Bowl run more than five years after his diagnosis. Now, O.J. shares his incredible story, offering lessons in resilience and reflecting on the championship team that inspired him in turn. Along with his own journey, O.J. recounts the struggles and successes of Ravens players, including Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, and Torrey Smith, as well as the strength of head coach John Harbaugh. Having watched their season from the best seat in the house, O.J. highlights their perseverance, confidence, and leadership, and the best that sports can bring out in people. Full of profound revelations and never-before-told anecdotes, Strength of a Champion is a celebration of the human spirit from a man who left everything on the field. O.J. Brigance never asked to be a hero. That's what makes his story so courageous.

Welcome, dear reader, to a journey unlike any other—a voyage through the valleys and peaks of human experience, guided by the unwavering light of faith. This book, Faith Through Adversity, is crafted to accompany you through the turbulent waters of life's trials, offering a beacon of hope that shines even in the darkest times. Adversity is an undeniable part of our earthly sojourn. It comes in many forms: illness, loss, betrayal, financial hardship, and countless other trials that test the very fabric of our spirit. Yet, it is precisely in the heat of these trials that our faith is both tested and strengthened. As gold is refined by fire, so too is our faith purified through the adversities we endure. The pages that follow are more than mere words; they are an invitation to explore the profound and often mysterious dynamics of faith in the face of challenges. We will delve into the lives of those who walked before us, biblical figures who faced overwhelming odds with a faith so powerful that it has echoed through the ages. Their stories are not just historical accounts; they are vibrant, living examples of divine truth acting in human lives. This book is also a call to introspection and personal growth. As you turn each page, you may see your reflection in the struggles and triumphs of those whose stories are told here. Through their experiences, we will seek to understand not only the nature of adversity but also the transformative power of faith that emerges in response to it. Together, we will uncover the deep roots of enduring belief, the kind that sustains and nourishes us when the ground shakes beneath our feet. We will learn to recognize the ways in which our challenges can deepen our understanding of God’s grace, mercy, and love, and how our darkest moments can become the backdrop for our most profound spiritual revelations. So, I invite you to step forward into this exploration of resilience and spiritual endurance. Let us journey together, with hearts open to the lessons that only adversity can teach, and with eyes lifted to the hope that faith in Christ offers. The path will not always be easy, but the promise of God’s presence is sure. With each step, let us draw closer to the truth that through every trial, God is with us, refining us into His image, for His glory and our ultimate good. Welcome to Faith Through Adversity. Let this book be your guide as you navigate the challenges of life with faith as your compass.

Marriage, Movies, and Miracles. Oh, my! Marriage is a dance (even when you step on each other's toes), and movies are minefields of problems and politics, but miracles are more common than you might believe. Kevin and Sam show that if you keep your feet moving and your hearts focused on God's divine rhythm, you can discover successes you might never imagine. All it takes is a little faith. On Television and in film, Kevin has portrayed demi-gods and evil professors, while in his private life, he's battled his fair share of demons - the three strokes that left him nearly paralyzed and still partially blind. He credits his wife's "tough love" encouragement; nauseating, relentless optimism; and tireless, constant nagging for pulling him through some of the worst episodes in his recovery. Getting married to a fundamentally debilitated "Hercules" was something Sam never shied away from. In Kevin, she recognized the love of her life and determined to see him through thick and thin. The phrase goes, "for better or for worse," and Kevin often says, "She got the 'worse' part out of the way first!" Sam had confidence that Kevin would recover and thrive, and she put action to her faith. In their third year of married life, once doubt about Kevin's full recovery was laid aside, the near-newly-weds determined to build their family. That was going to be yet another trial for them to endure and conquer. They both credit their faith in God for pulling them through the tough times, and laying the foundation for their joy. That is how they came to make movies as a team. Christ said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Throughout True Faith, the Sorbos personify this verse as they embrace the struggles they meet and use their faith to bolster their responses. Be uplifted and inspired as you join Sam and Kevin on a journey through trials and triumphs, a couple of faithful Christians who work together, learn together, grieve together, and live life as Christ advocates: abundantly.