“We are forever a student to a messed up teacher we call life.” -Aaron

Life happens. Hardships are inevitable because there’s so much in life that we can’t control.

A friend once told me that he purposefully aims to surround himself with people who had faced overwhelming struggles in their life, and who are now able to live with joy and in revelation.

Why?

Because these are the people who know suffering and have felt pain, yet have overcome it and live as their best self. In a way, those who have suffered live with a greater grasp of life and purpose. These are the people we can learn most from.

Ignorance is bliss, BUT not always beneficial. Especially in our lifetime, with social media and in America, it is so easy to live within a bubble distracted and oblivious to pain, suffering, poverty, and hurt. Many are lucky to be sheltered from horrible corruption, but the truth is naivety often links to ignorance.

I went to my small group bible study last week and these two quotes stood out to me:

First, "True Joy is only felt after True Pain."

Second, that through our hardships in life, we either "Get Bitter or Get Better."

Really think about this and your own life...

Those who have suffered have diligently tested their endurance, patience, and discipline. Yet what is important is not just the suffering, but how we come out of it and who we become. So, are bitter or are you better?