Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality —Les Brown

When adversity impacts our lives, especially long term distresses, it can affect the goals or destiny of our life. For some it may mean a distraction from the things that are truly important in life. Yet, for others, it may reveal that their lives have no meaningful goals or destiny. The adversity, in effect, shapes or decides the outcome of their lives. What affect should adversity have on us? How much control should the challenges we face have on the course of our lives? Really, who controls your destiny? Perhaps the following illustration can help us to answer that question.

A sailor sets his ship on a course to arrive at his eventual destination. Along the way, he encounters a terrible storm. In order to arrive at his destination, he may make adjustments in his course to ride out the storm. He skillfully guides his ship as he does so. The storm may cause him to be delayed in arriving. Yet, his destination does not change. As long as he remains in firm control of his ship, the sailor, not the storm, determines his destiny.

Do we see the point? The adversities we face, like that storm, should not change our destiny. We cannot control the storm. However, like that sailor we must remain in control of our ship if we are to reach our destination or goals. So again I ask, who controls your destiny? If that sailor were to give up control of the ship, the unrelenting storm would take control. That would lead to certain shipwreck. With that in mind, ask yourself: Am I still focused on what is really important in life or have I allowed the storm swirling around me to change my destination?

Here are two things I have found that have helped me to re-focus on what really matters in spite of the adversity bearing upon me daily.

1. Do not listen to negative voices.

Words and messages have power. The adversity I face means enduring voices both spoken and unspoken by enemies that are negative and toxic. The message they carry is unrelenting: “You are worthless, you cannot succeed, you are trash and unworthy of life, why don’t you just give up?” Can you imagine a sailor trying to focus on riding out a heavy storm while listening to a critical shipmate, fearful of the storm, constantly telling him that he will fail? He would be wise to ignore such negative voices!

I have found it beneficial to drown out the negative voices of the storm by listening to upbuilding, encouraging, and strengthening voices. For example, the voices contained in God’s Word the Bible have been of great encouragement to me. What powerful and moving examples it contains of persons like me who have faced and overcome adversity. I am also selective in the entertainment, books, and music and friends that I listen to. I seek out sources that provide inspiring messages and meaningful encouragement. By thinking deeply on the positive messages that I hear daily, I minimize the effects of negative speech. Such encouragement and comfort is vital if we are to maintain a healthy emotional outlook and control our destiny.

Much of the online conversation regarding victims of gangstalking and directed energy weapons torture is intensely and willfully negative. Negative talk criticizes and complains, not providing any meaningful encouragement, comfort or assistance. Investing our time in such messages can sap needed emotional strength. Interestingly, I am also the target of messages both overt and subtle that craftily seek to lure me into a confrontation with the government agencies responsible for these attacks. Many of the emails and comments I receive encourage anger and violence, appealing to ego and injured pride. Such negative voices must be soundly rejected. Of course, if there is a legal avenue of recourse I will pursue it. However, in my case, seeking to challenge government agencies is a vain pursuit. After all, what effort is more worthwhile? Keeping in firm control of my ship, my destiny, or trying to control the storm? My very limited resources are better spent focused on my destiny and goals. Life is too short to waste on a pursuit that would only leave me empty-handed and frustrated. For as long as there has been human government, there have been ongoing storms of oppression and injustice. I have no time to waste on politics. My focus and resources are better utilized in controlling my destiny.

2, Set meaningful, reasonable goals, and pursue them.

Do you have a destiny? Are you goal oriented? If not, the storm will set one for you, and it will not be a good one! Do not allow adversity or injustice to determine your destiny. Meaningful, reasonable goals give life direction and value. If we are surrounded by negative influences we can best resist their pressure by exerting a force of our own. Focus on meaningful goals and develop the skills needed to achieve them.

I discovered that it is easy to think that I am doing fine by simply “keeping afloat.” In other words, I begin to idle in place, deceived by the false notion that simply surviving is sufficient. The storm provides distractions that for a time may discourage me from making meaningful progress. However, is it good enough for the sailor to simply stay afloat in a bad storm or does he still have an obligation to reach his destination? Storms can be so severe that they can even cause a ship to retreat for a time. Such setbacks must be seen as only temporary. We must push forward, recognizing that success in life always involves setbacks and failures along the way. Take them in stride and pursue your destiny. Develop your skills. Strengthen your hands. Set goals, keep your focus, control your destiny no matter what storm you face.

“Love Is As Strong As Death Is . . .” —Song of Solomon 8:6

It is vital that the goals we set in life be truly worthwhile if they are to benefit us. Many persons spend their lives in vain or selfish pursuits that leave them full of regrets and emptiness. When our goals reflect a love of God and our fellow man, they imbue our lives with meaning and value. “Life should find us out there in the world doing good things for their own sake.” —Viktor E. Frankl. To cling to love of God and neighbor in a loveless world is the most meaningful pursuit of all.

I can truthfully say that when I daily extend kindness to men of all sorts, I experience genuine joy and contentment in life. Expressing love brings the greatest happiness, not waiting for it. If I waited for the approval and affection of others, my circumstances as a victim of “gang stalking” and psychological torture would overwhelm me. Indeed, my hardship has taught me in a profound way the importance of exercising love as they key to meaning in life.

‘Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.” —Romans 12:17, Bible, New Living Translation. 

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