If you see Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, holding back this world from you, frequently trying you with adversity and tribulation, know that you hold a great status with Him. Know that He is dealing with you as He does with His Awliya’ and chosen elite, and is watching over you.

Without the assistance of that Divine Being...I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail.

If you want a place in the sun, you have got to put up with a few blisters.

When a sailor overcomes crushing adversity, there's a massive sense of accomplishment.

Was it possible I'd labeled him incorrectly? Shallow jocksdidn't overcome adversity and accomplish the things Leif had. I'd labeled him, not even knowing him. Just because girls went gaga over him andevery boy wanted to be him didn't make him a jerk. The only jerk in the room happened to be the judgmental, elitist female. Me.

I also know that every person faces adversity in life. Abraham Lincoln held this seat in Congress in one term. But few faced as many defeats in his personal, business and public life as he did.

We fail to see the purifying and refining effect wrought by the flames of adversity. These flames are not meant to consume but only to purify us. Disguised as adversity, blessings are showered upon us.

If there were no problems, most of us would be unemployed.

Forgiveness takes the burden of hate, guilt, and bitterness off your back and, with a lighter load, you can climb higher and faster, and be much happier in the process.

The way we handle adversity is going to determine what kind of team we are. I told them last night that this is our first true test of adversity and how we bounce back, how we handle it, and how we compete against a good Iowa football team will determine what kind of football team we are, and where we are at.