God didn't create you to...

@ghost-of-a-duke said
It is my opinion, and working experience, that 'poverty', 'persecution', and 'incarceration' affect the mind (and soul) as well as the body. There can be no doubt about that. Indeed, taking incarceration alone, I have met people who have been mentally shattered by such an experience, with and without God.

As I have seen people 'devastated' by being forced to endure the coronavirus lockdown. I think this reaction belies a certain frailty and inability to adapt. And we know what natural selection says about the inability to adapt.

Just because some people are fragile, it by no means assumes that everyone is.

I believe Nelson Mandela was strengthened by his experience, certainly not 'shattered' by it. The human spirit can certainly rise above adversity even though some are destroyed by it.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
It is my opinion, and working experience, that 'poverty', 'persecution', and 'incarceration' affect the mind (and soul) as well as the body. There can be no doubt about that. Indeed, taking incarceration alone, I have met people who have been mentally shattered by such an experience, with and without God.

Do you think people do better with faith in God, or not, during such terrible times?

@suzianne said
As I have seen people 'devastated' by being forced to endure the coronavirus lockdown. I think this reaction belies a certain frailty and inability to adapt. And we know what natural selection says about the inability to adapt.

Just because some people are fragile, it by no means assumes that everyone is.

I believe Nelson Mandela was strengthened by his experience, c ...[text shortened]... d' by it. The human spirit can certainly rise above adversity even though some are destroyed by it.

I believe Nelson Mandela was strengthened by his experience, certainly not 'shattered' by it. The human spirit can certainly rise above adversity even though some are destroyed by it.
I somewhat agree with you here.
However, Nelson Mandela spent 25 years in solitary confinement; I don't care who one is, this did shatter him at times. As it would anyone.
He certainly did eventually rise above it, However, 25 years is 25 years.
I spent 60 days is solitary confinement once; and, I can tell you, that it did take a heavy toll on me at times.
That's why I'm half nuts today. lol... 😳 😵 😳 🙂

@kingdavid403 said
I believe Nelson Mandela was strengthened by his experience, certainly not 'shattered' by it. The human spirit can certainly rise above adversity even though some are destroyed by it.
I somewhat agree with you here.
However, Nelson Mandela spent 25 years in solitary confinement; I don't care who one is, this did shatter him at times. As it would anyone.
H ...[text shortened]... u, that it did take a heavy toll on me at times.
That's why I'm half nuts today. lol... 😳 😵 😳 🙂

I spent two solid years being forced to do things that were abhorrent to me. There were times when I thought I was losing my sense of self. Against long odds, I came back from that. Resilience is everything.

@suzianne said
I spent two solid years being forced to do things that were abhorrent to me. There were times when I thought I was losing my sense of self. Against long odds, I came back from that. Resilience is everything.

I'm glad that is over for you now; and, that you have rose above it.
Some people just cannot get over such things.
This shows how strong you are. 🙂

@ghost-of-a-duke said
It is my opinion, and working experience, that 'poverty', 'persecution', and 'incarceration' affect the mind (and soul) as well as the body. There can be no doubt about that. Indeed, taking incarceration alone, I have met people who have been mentally shattered by such an experience, with and without God.

I honestly believe it is the case that a person can overcome even the most egregious hardships with the right mental disposition, but it really requires being at peace with the idea that you will die and that you can only control what you yourself do.

I found Epcitetus to be very inspiring because of a lot of his content on this topic.

Of course, I am a Christian, and all of this has to be primarily understood through this concept, but I do like to point out that these ideas are surprisingly universal.

@suzianne said
I spent two solid years being forced to do things that were abhorrent to me. There were times when I thought I was losing my sense of self. Against long odds, I came back from that. Resilience is everything.

I was wondering Suzianne,
Do you feel that your relationship with God helped you through this terrible time? Both past and present?

I know this may be a difficult question for you; so, if you are not comfortable in recalling or talking about this past; Please, please, feel comfortable in not discussing it, if it makes you feel more uncomfortable now.
I would totally understand; and, I only wish the best for you.
God Bless.

@kingdavid403 said
I was wondering Suzianne,
Do you feel that your relationship with God helped you through this terrible time? Both past and present?

I know this may be a difficult question for you; so, if you are not comfortable in recalling or talking about this past; Please, please, feel comfortable in not discussing it, if it makes you feel more uncomfortable now.
I would totally understand; and, I only wish the best for you.
God Bless.

My relationship with Jesus, acknowledging him as my savior, began two years after my experience. I was brought to Jesus by two of my sorority sisters in my first year of college.

@kingdavid403 said
Do you think people do better with faith in God, or not, during such terrible times?

Difficult to say, but probably a mixed bag. I can see how faith in a higher power could bring strength, but equally that people without God might be more self-reliant and able to cope. People with faith might feel abandoned.

@philokalia said
I honestly believe it is the case that a person can overcome even the most egregious hardships with the right mental disposition, but it really requires being at peace with the idea that you will die and that you can only control what you yourself do.

I found Epcitetus to be very inspiring because of a lot of his content on this topic.

Of course, I am ...[text shortened]... rstood through this concept, but I do like to point out that these ideas are surprisingly universal.

I think we all have our individual breaking point, no matter the state of our mental disposition. I'm genuinely glad you have never encountered yours. I have though met many incredibly strong people who have.