30 Oct Three Crashes, One Victory
I’ve experienced three major market crashes. One taught me more than the others.
I was right out of college when Black Monday hit. It was my first. I had no investments and no responsibilities beyond myself. I was an observer. In many ways, life was simple.
During the second, the Dot-Com Bubble, I got out at the perfect time. I enjoyed the market’s climb and got out before the fall. If I’m honest, I got lucky. At the time, I thought I was smart. That arrogance was naive, and it would sting me later.
The third, known as the Financial Crisis, tried to take me down, and it almost did, but I narrowly escaped. It wasn’t pretty. I had responsibilities. People depended on me. The losses hurt, but I adapted. My faith deepened. My marriage grew stronger. The experience I never would have chosen took me to another level.
In retrospect, the fall changed me more than enjoying the climb ever did. Hence, Hard Comes First. God didn’t cause the crash, but I’m convinced he used it for my good. Sometimes the hard thing you desperately want to avoid becomes the very thing that helps you grow.
I didn’t see that growth while I was going through it. I saw uncertainty. I felt fear. I wanted relief. But looking back helps me look forward with more faith and optimism. I can be scared and still believe that something good may be growing beyond what I can see.
You may be facing something hard right now. You don’t have to pretend it’s easy or feel grateful for the pain. Just leave room for the possibility that the hard just might be what takes you to another level.