When you face difficulties, challenges, setbacks, and disasters in life, what is your usual reaction? Do you tend to blame others; scream about your rights; declare the many offenses of your heart; wail about the injustices; or demand that others (or the government) take their expected place of responsibility to rescue you?
Or, do you rise up from the inner strength of your heart and take responsibility for your situation? Do you choose your response in dealing with life on your own terms, thus determining your own destiny?
Because there is nothing new under the sun and life’s adversities do not discriminate in their attacks, each of us have a choice about how we will respond to life’s challenges. And with that choice comes the revelation of what really lies beneath the surface of our physical appearances.
What Character Anchors Your Spirit?
Your character is really all about your mental and moral qualities.
Altogether, your character is all about the mindset that drives your words and the principles that drive your actions?
Character is that inner part of you that rises up in rational, intellectual responses. And, those responses are reflective of the rules of your heart regarding right and wrong behavior.
As important, all of these non-touchable parts of you are wrapped up in your spirit.
Essentially, your spirit is the non-physical part of you; the seat of your emotions and character.
It’s that part of you that impacts your influence, your reputation, and your legacy. In other words, your spirit is the valuable pieces and parts of who you really are when no one is looking, listening, or judging your behavior.
At its core, your spirit is what drives your expectations in life; your thought processes in relationships; and your willingness to have the best interests of others at heart, or not.
The Indomitable Spirit from Within
People described as having indomitable spirits don’t need continual pep talks or an overdose of power drinks every few hours. This is because their strength comes from within.
The word indomitable starts with the Latin prefix “in”, which means “not.”
The second part of the word is from the Latin word “domitare”, meaning “to tame.”
In other words, people with indomitable spirits are impossible to subdue or to suppress – even when catastrophic disaster strikes unexpectedly in their lives!
In South Louisiana, there are thousands of people who awakened on Friday, August 12, 2016 and stepped out of bed into flood waters. The unprecedented weather event was not even assigned a given name by weather experts. It was simply a rain event that delivered much more sustained and heavy rains for much longer than was ever forecasted – and all within a brief span of time.
The many subdivisions of homes that were decimated by flood waters were mostly in non-flood zones throughout Louisiana. In other words, they were not deemed by the planning experts
to be prone to catastrophic flooding. Therefore, the majority of the residents did not have Flood insurance policies in addition to their Homeowners insurance policies. Guess what? This means that the total devastation and loss of property from having three feet of water (and much more for some people) on the inside of their homes is not covered by an insurance policy.
Imagine going to bed on a rainy Thursday evening and awakening at 6:00 in the morning to muddy, stinking flood water around your bed. What a shock to every fiber of your being! What is your likely response when you don’t have time to put on your best suit and tie (or your cute shoes) before you decide what to say or do?
I’ll tell you what the indomitable-spirited people of South Louisiana did. After they grabbed their children and pets, while throwing on clothing a little more decent than pajamas, they waded out of their homes against water that was rising right before their eyes.
When they were outdoors, many discovered their vehicles were already under water. So, they began meeting their neighbors in the middle of the flooded streets with arms filled with children, pets, and whatever essentials they could grab while wading out of the door. They proceeded to wade through knee-high, waist-high, and sometimes chest-high water to the nearest “high ground.”
From there, they waited to be rescued because the next flooded areas were within sight from where they were standing. For most, hours later they were rescued by members of the “Cajun Navy”, which consists of hunters, fishermen, and good ole’ Louisiana boys (and gals) who were born and reared in a boat. When the government awakened, they activated formal emergency responses that included the National Guard kind of vessels and manpower.
A Community of Indomitable-Spirited People
Within hours, the indomitable spirits of Southern people rose up to demonstrate a depth of brotherly love, care, compassion, and service that brings grown, burly men to tears. Strangers, who become friends in a moment, are helping others.
Young people of Jr. High, High school, and College age are coming forth as a might army of youthful strength, exuberance, and selflessness. People from every walk of life, different nationalities, genders, religious beliefs, and races are walking arm-in-arm rescuing, helping, loving, and praying together. Churches are opening their doors with armies of volunteers to organize Donation Command Centers. The government and secular organizations have moved in with their seasoned teams and resources (along with their myriad of mind-boggling policies).
But above all, a community of indomitable-spirited people have awakened. They are mighty in their energies; they are untamed in their passion to help others; they are not subdued in their love; and they are not going to be suppressed until every family has their home gutted of mud and mass destruction!
Where Does Your Spirit Stand in the Matter?
What is your response to unexpected difficulties, challenges, setbacks, and disasters in life? When you don’t get your way in matters of life, love, and relationships do you attack others and sling your junk all over everyone in your space? Do you wail and wait for someone else to rescue you from life’s great assaults? Do you stomp your feet and cry “discrimination”, “offended”, or “injustice” when unexpected occurrences assault your life?
Or, do you rise up with an indomitable spirit that will not be subdued; will not be tamed; and will not be suppressed – even as you have the best interests of others at heart? Regardless of your answer to these questions today, you have the opportunity to develop or strengthen an indomitable spirit from within.
And, that opportunity will present itself the next time you step out into the rising waters of life, especially from a sound sleep in the midst of all of your countless blessings.
Perspective becomes everything when you suddenly lose everything you thought you couldn’t live without!
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The human spirit can truly be great in times of Adversity
Your story is not meant to be beautiful but it is a beautiful illustration of human kindness unleashed and unencumbered by generation gaps. It’s a strong character that can rise above personal devastation and reach out to help people who are hurting. Thank you for sharing your story of compassion and hope so that others may join you in supporting flood victims.
Thank you so much, Jane, for commenting and sharing the story. 🙂