Annaliese and Alan dive into why adversity isn’t just something to survive—it’s something that grows you. They unpack how struggle, resistance, and discomfort can actually be some of life’s most powerful teachers when you learn how to work with them instead of against them. Annaliese shares an example story from the 1990's Biosphere 2 project, where scientists discovered that trees grown in perfect, protected conditions collapsed when they reached full height. They discovered that without real wind or resistance, the trees couldn’t develop the strength or flexibility needed to stand mature, strong, and steady. The same is true for us—without the push and pull of life’s challenges, we’d miss out on the maturity, adaptability, and groundedness we need to truly thrive.

You’ll Hear About:

How adversity, though uncomfortable, invites innovation, growth, and deeper strength inside you that you wouldn’t find otherwise. It’s not the absence of struggle that leads to a good life—it’s learning to let difficulty shape you in meaningful ways.

How practicing discernment while in hard seasons helps you respond with intention instead of reactivity. You’ll hear practical ways to notice your own part in the stressful moments—where your thoughts or behaviors might be making it harder on you—and how to shift that.

Ways to open your perspective and see adversity as evidence of your worth and capability. You’ll learn to gather proof that you matter, even while things feel messy, and to reconnect with your deep truth, ideas, and values right in the middle of it all.

Practice: Letting Adversity Work For You

Picture your inner and outer posture toward what’s hard right now. Are you resisting, closing off, or withdrawing?

Take a moment and ask yourself: Am I letting this adversity show me where I can grow, or am I fighting against it?

Identify 1–2 ways to engage the challenge with openness—whether it’s applying something you’ve learned, trying a new approach, or remembering who you truly are underneath the struggle.