Book 4

Life is a continuing response to challenges. The challenges in our lives will be over when our lives end. Some people will fall because they cannot overcome their challenges. However, those who overcome and win their trials will become much stronger and mature people. How you handle the adversity determines how you will get through it. Arnold J. Toynbee, English historian wrote 12-volume "Study of History" (1934-61), put forward a philosophy of history with a phrase, "Challenge and Response". It was based on his observation of the cycle of civilization development and the decline. "People of civilization that successfully responded to external challenges survived, but civilization that failed to do so disappeared. In addition, people who had no trials and challenges fell into history and disappeared easily in history. The Nile River had abundant in quantity of water and fertile soil that brought the rich of farming. However, too much water caused the continuous flood, it could destroy the country and it was a big challenge. However, they responded creatively and positively. They developed the astronomy to predict the weather and the flooding. Geometry also developed for surveying the land and construction. The Euphrates civilization Tigris civilization, and the Yellow River civilization, including the Nile River civilization occurred because of their proper respond to challenges and trials. " (Author paraphrase) We sometimes face the adversity that we never predicted. It could fail us; we could experience the hurt severely. However, when we successfully respond to the challenges and creatively find the way to progress, we will experience the way of the exploring the new and unprecedented success. Prophet Isaiah said, "Do you not know. Have you not heard. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. " (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV) God's spirit will give us the wisdom to find a way to make trials become an opportunity to create new things. When we allow His spirit to renew us, we will "soar on wings like eagle".