Life’s challenges often descend upon us like an unrelenting storm, leaving us feeling like we’re drowning in a sea of despair. I have been there, right in the eye of the storm. I remember the day, six months into my pregnancy, when the doctor’s words crushed my heart: my baby would not survive. The anguish of being admitted to the hospital, knowing I had to wait until my unborn son took his final breath, was unbearable. The agonizingly long labor that followed, filled with physical pain and an overwhelming sense of failure, felt like God had abandoned me. My husband stood by my side as had always done, but no amount of love could shield either of us from the pain of that moment.

When I was finally discharged, the ride down the hallway in that wheelchair felt like the longest journey of my life. It wasn’t just the physical distance; it was the emotional chasm I had to cross, feeling utterly defeated and lost. The ordeal didn’t end there. Complications sent me back to the hospital, this time to a maternal ward where I was surrounded by the cries of newborns, a cruel reminder of the joy I had lost. I spent a week in that room, grappling with the sounds of life that wasn’t mine to hold, and then faced another long, painful journey out of the hospital. I’ll never forget the sight of a card on my door, showing a baby sleeping in a large hand—a gentle reminder to the nurses of my loss and a call for compassion.

This period of my life brought not only emotional devastation but financial hardship as well. My husband and I struggled with mounting medical bills and the weight of depression, often putting on painted smiles to mask our pain. Little did I know that this harrowing experience was preparing me for another heart-wrenching loss—my second son, who passed at six and a half months in utero just 22 months later. I remember my husband sharing with me when I came to that my doctor had informed him neither the baby nor I might survive. Sadly, my son did not. Yet, here I am sharing my testimony. I am a living testament to resilience.

I have come to believe that every challenge, every hardship, every trial and tribulation is a taste of resilience, designed to reveal just how strong and resilient we truly are. Life’s journey is filled with difficulties, but each experience in which we prevail is not just a lesson in endurance—it’s a testament to our strength and a beacon for others. By navigating through these trials, we not only fortify ourselves but also illuminate the path for those who walk alongside us or come after us. Each time we rise from the ashes of our struggles, we demonstrate the profound truth that we are capable; we are resilient; and we are prepared to face whatever comes next. And through this resilience, we find the strength to keep moving forward and inspire others to do the same. By the way, today, I am the proud mother of 6 children and 11 grandchildren.

So, my friend, do not resist the taste of resilience. Embrace the challenges that life presents, for they are the very crucible in which your strength is forged. Each trial is a stepping stone, building you up, preparing you for the next great chapter of your journey. Embrace the taste, for it is through these moments of testing that you discover your true power and the resilience that lies within you.

Erika