Something happens that’s beyond your control. You are forced into a corner so to speak: You can either kick the metaphorical boulder (consequently stubbing your toe) or you can choose to grow spiritually.
Let’s say you choose the option of growing spiritually. It still takes work. Take for example a person who just found out he is diabetic or she has Celiac disease or allergies or any number of conditions that require a drastic change the person’s lifestyle.
The avoidance of harmful foods is only the beginning. This aspect is only the surface level of change. In contrast the opportunities for spiritual growth that lie ahead are multifaceted.
There are people who feel lousy after eating a certain food. Knowing that they will feel lousy if they eat it serves as a reminder to turn it down when it’s served. In such a scenario the person with allergies has the opportunity to actualize a spiritual goal: replacing short-term gratification with long-term rewards.
Although the awareness of consequences often holds the person back the awareness doesn’t always serve to prevent self-inflicted harm. There are also times when the outcome is not immediate, and it’s unclear just how much of a certain food will cause problems. The awareness in this case is much more subtle and the spiritual test is a slightly different one.
There are many more spiritual gains and many more types of experience that lend themselves to spiritual development. The question is always: “Where am I spiritually and where do I want to be? How am I relating to this? How am I handling this? How can I learn and grow from this experience?”
This line of thinking can be followed in every situation in life. The shift in focus from “bum deal” to “spiritual growth opportunity” puts everything in a different light, every time.