The True Meaning of ‘Adversity’

Words matter. And words have a definite meaning that affect how we understand life.

Lately, I have heard several top-notch athletes, coaches, and sportscasters incorrectly use the word ‘adversity.’ Now, I love sports. I watch a variety of games, matches, and championships. I was an athlete in four different sports, and I understand how sports work.

But words matter, and I am frustrated with the misuse of the word ‘adversity,’ especially as used in the following statements:

• “Our team is going through adversity. We are struggling to win games.”

• No. Your team is not going through adversity. You are losing games because your wide receivers are dropping the ball, even when the quarterback puts it squarely in the numbers.

• “We’re behind in the championship series because of adversity.”

• No. You are behind in the championship series because your team had 13 turnovers in the second half.

• “We lost the chance to be in the World Series because of adversity.”

• No. You were not in the World Series because your pitching staff could not make that tiny ball land in the corners of that tiny square and the other team kept dancing around the bases.

• “Adversity is keeping us from staying in the top 25.”
• • No. You are no longer in the top 25, because your freshman quarterback keeps throwing interceptions. He needs more time to mature and learn how to handle the pressure.

The true meaning of adversity is seen in the following scenarios:

• All your household goods are shattered and sitting beside the curb, because a hurricane destroyed your neighborhood.

• Bombs are dropping on your village and your children’s school lies in the rubble — along with their beloved teacher.

• The doctor says your only child has an inoperable tumor and the prognosis is that he has six months to live.

• Your daughter and her husband were killed in a head-on crash. Now, you are responsible for raising their three children and you’re on a fixed income.

Adversity happens when the circumstances of life come against us. It is not adversity when our own mistakes force us to accept their realistic consequences. It is not adversity when our favorite sports team loses. It is just a game and in a couple of months, we will forget about it. The results of true adversity can last for a lifetime.

So, to all the top-notch athletes, coaches, and sportscasters — remember this truth: If you are going to use the word ‘adversity,’ be sure you know what it really means.

Words matter. Use them correctly.

Don’t make me tell you again.

©2024 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved

Image Attribution: Tern70 / Pixabay

To find some hope, check out my newest book, Embracing Life with Hope.