Appreciate Adversity & All It’s Amazing Advantages

When you hear the word adversity – what springs to mind? Typically we associate adversity with experiences that are negative, painful, and overwhelming.

Merriam-Webster defines adversity this way: a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.

Adversity often feels daunting, never-ending, out-of-control, and hopeless. It triggers fear – fear of the unknown, uncertainty, failure, loss, pain, and more.

Yet in the midst of adversity, there are some amazing advantages! It depends on your perspective.

Adversity – A Very Good Thing!

The city of Enterprise, Alabama discovered that adversity can be a very good thing! In fact, they erected a monument to express their gratitude to the Boll Weevil – a pesky insect that destroyed 60% of their cotton crops in 1915. Many farmers were forced to declare bankruptcy and the economy of the town of Enterprise was in danger.

Rather than wallowing in victim mode, the town rallied together and replaced their cotton crops with peanuts. That one small change made a brilliant difference for the town. Turns out they were able to harvest more peanuts than any other county in the nation in 1917.

It’s interesting, because peanuts have continued to help the town thrive. In 1993, they ranked fourth in the nation. And they continue to hold that spot in 2026, in their peanut crops!

Today, with a varied agricultural economy that still includes peanuts, local industry, tourism (thank you Boll Weevil), and the Army Aviation Center, there is no question that the adversity the Boll Weevil brought to Enterprise, Alabama has clearly worked in their favor!

So grateful were the residents of Enterprise that the monument in downtown to the Boll Weevil is just one of many tributes to the adversary that sent them on an incredibly beneficial path.

Smaller obstacles have leveled many other towns. Less significant challenges have devastated individuals. Maybe you, your team, or your organization is facing adversity of some kind right now.

What valuable take-a-ways might you learn from the people of Enterprise?

1. Your Focus Matters!

The people of Enterprise were crystal clear on their purpose. Prior to the Boll Weevil showing up, the town had a thriving sense of community. If you had visited Enterprise 1906, you would have observed a banner hanging in town that read: Pull for Enterprise or Pull Out. They were 100% about community! That kind of focus cultivates a powerful synergy!

For leaders and organizations, that’s an insightful tip! The more focused you are on your purpose, the more effective you are. Too often, the stated purpose is clear but the actions don’t support that purpose. Sticking to your purpose, staying true to it on every level, sometimes pinches, but it’s incredibly effective!

For entrepreneurs or solopreneurs, your purpose must be abundantly clear as well. With that kind of clarity you are able to move forward in your work in more compelling ways.

Getting clear on your purpose – not just your professional purpose, but also your personal purpose – makes a difference. Knowing who God created you to BE naturally urges you to depend on Him, which has a way of shifting HOW you execute your life and work.

2. Unity is Essential

Not only did the town of Enterprise have a purpose, they were united in that purpose. Each and every person must have a firm grasp on how they contribute to the team or organization’s purpose.

Nothing weakens a team or organization’s effectiveness more than discord.

3. Be On The Lookout for Opportunity

When the “Boll Weevils” show up in your life, how do you, your team, or your organization respond? Throwing your hands up and focusing on the problem doesn’t make it go away. In fact, whatever you focus on grows. If you home in on what’s negative, it gets worse, not better!

My guess is that other towns did not fare as well when the Boll Weevil destroyed their crops.

Adversity can be paralyzing, perplexing, and make you feel down right powerless! Yet, at the same time, adversity is an invitation to pursue something better! It’s an opportunity to walk through new doors, and venture down a superior path.

There are some amazing opportunities if you are able to see past the negative and see your situation in a new light!

The folks in Enterprise eagerly looked for the options – the opportunities!

4. Be Grateful

Did you know that the monument to the Boll Weevil in Enterprise is the only monument in the world dedicated to an agricultural pest? It’s wild that a destructive pest like that would get such recognition!

The monument was erected in 1919 to show their appreciation to the Boll Weevil. Yes! Appreciation!

They attributed their success to the undeniable influence the Boll Weevil had on their agricultural and economic success. All these years later, they are still reaping the benefits of the fresh direction initiated by the Boll Weevil.

Have you ever thought to thank that person, crisis, or challenge for sending you on a new and more amazing path? I don’t mean sending someone a thank you card – that might be weird! I mean actually being grateful rather than bitter, unforgiving, or resentful for the adversity that has come your way!

Personal Examples

Back when my kids were young, we were driving to my daughter’s doctor appointment in Atlanta. If you’re familiar with the Perimeter, also known as 285, you know that freeway is perpetually congested. Suddenly, while in the middle lane where two freeways came together, a piece of metal bounced up and slashed my tire.

It was a frightening experience!

Stuck in the center of a frenzied freeway, my kids and I paused and prayed. We asked God to send the police. I don’t know why I chose to ask God to bring the police, but thankfully God knew just what we really needed!

When we finished praying and looked up there was a tow truck and kind man parked right behind me. He had the tire fixed in a jiffy and wouldn’t take any money for his efforts. Not only were we on our way, we were able to arrive on time to the appointment.

So why do I share this misfortune with you? Well, it turned out to be an amazing opportunity for us to witness God’s hand on our lives in a very tangible way. Perhaps this diversion protected us from something far worse, I don’t know but, we will never forget that experience. To make sure, my kids and I created a clay tire which I still have to this day – a monument of sorts.

There have been so many other “Boll Weevils” in my life – truly horrible experiences – yet each and every one of them has sent me on a path brimming with amazing advantages. Take battling Lyme disease for more than three years. It sent me on a much healthier and more balanced path. It forced me to change my work habits and incorporate new ways of working out and caring for me that have proven to be more life-giving! That season taught me to slow down, appreciate life, and focus on what’s most important. I now view this “adversity” as a gift much like the people of Enterprise view the Boll Weevil.

The Many Faces of Adversity

Adversity has many faces including the faces of people. Some of my most hurtful moments in life have been caused by people: family, friends, and coworkers. I bet you’ve experienced that sort of adversity too. It’s impossible to navigate life and not get hurt, right?

Choosing to learn and grow in the midst of hurt, confusion, and adversity is powerful. And so is remaining stuck. Sadly, that leads to fiercely negative consequences like bitterness, un-forgiveness, and resentment that take a toll on you.

Not only does choosing to hang onto such situations create stress and health issues, it keeps you from having the outlook you need to excel in your life and work.

Failure Or Trying to Be Perfect

I’m a bit of a perfectionist, which in the past has made failure feel like adversity. I’ve come to realize that there’s no such thing as perfect. When I view failure as an opportunity to grow, failure loses its sting! Like the Boll Weevil, failure has the potential to point you in an amazing direction!

What adversity is tripping you up right now personally or professionally?

What advantages to adversity have you discovered?

Originally posted on 6/11/19, this post has been updated and revised just for you!

PHOTO: Pete F/Unsplash