Written by Adeola Oladele, Author & Public Speaker
Adeola understands the power of vulnerability and honesty. She believes these qualities are essential in inspiring others to embrace their true selves and pursue their dreams. Through her speaking engagements and community outreach, she aims to foster a supportive environment where individuals can connect, grow, and thrive together.
Adversity is a universal experience, yet it’s also deeply personal. When we’re during life’s toughest challenges, it’s natural to wonder, “Why is this happening?” For many of us, it’s only through looking back that we begin to see purpose in our pain. My journey has taught me that adversity, although painful, often guides us to our true purpose. For me, faith and self-belief illuminated the way forward. Without these anchors, I wouldn’t be where I am today: empowered, driven, and passionate about helping others.
The role of faith in overcoming hardship
Faith has been my lifeline, especially in moments when I feel overwhelmed by adversity. As a survivor of abuse, I’ve experienced profound moments of hurt and confusion that challenged me to my core. In these darkest hours, I turned to my faith, trusting that God had a plan even if I couldn’t yet see it. Faith didn’t erase my struggles, but it gave me strength to endure them. I found comfort in verses like Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV). This reminder that God was near, even in my brokenness, helped me find the courage to keep going.
Faith became my foundation, guiding me forward one step at a time. I leaned on prayer, scripture, and worship as ways to connect with God and let Him shape my heart. Over time, I began to feel a calling: my story could help others. This realization that my journey could have meaning beyond my own healing began to change everything.
The power of self-belief: Reclaiming your identity
While faith was my foundation, self-belief became the doorway to reclaiming my identity. After enduring trauma, it’s easy to feel lost, questioning your worth and doubting your abilities. Rebuilding self-belief was a slow process for me, filled with setbacks and struggles. I had to learn to see myself not as a product of my pain, but as someone resilient and valuable. The journey to self-belief taught me to speak kindly to myself, to challenge the negative voices, and to surround myself with positivity.
Reclaiming my identity meant finding the courage to rewrite the narrative. I began to affirm that my story didn’t define me; I defined my story. Self-belief isn’t about having all the answers or feeling confident all the time. It’s about trusting that you have the strength and worthiness to live fully and purposefully. This new sense of identity enabled me to dream bigger, to envision a future where I could inspire others to find their strength and voice.
Turning pain into purpose
As I continued to grow in faith and self-belief, my life’s purpose began to take shape. The more I healed, the more I felt drawn to help others who faced similar battles. This calling led to the creation of Save This Girl Child, an organization dedicated to helping young girls struggling with self-identity and self-worth and those who have suffered abuse. The pain I had once endured was now a source of empathy, enabling me to understand and connect with others facing similar hardships.
Purpose doesn’t always arrive in a grand moment of clarity. Sometimes, it unfolds slowly, revealed through small steps and quiet reflections. I found purpose in becoming a voice for girls who, like me, felt voiceless. Through sharing my story, I hoped to inspire others to see that they, too, could rise above their circumstances. My pain had transformed into purpose, giving me a mission that extended beyond myself.
Practical steps for finding purpose through adversity
If you’re searching for purpose in your own adversity, remember that every step forward is significant. Here are some practices that helped me:
Embrace your journey: Allow yourself to feel, heal, and grow at your own pace. Embracing your unique journey means honoring both the highs and lows as essential parts of your story.
Connect with a supportive community: Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Whether it’s friends, family, or a faith-based community, having support can make all the difference.
Reflect on your values and passions: Take time to consider what truly matters to you. What causes you to move your heart? What experiences have shaped your outlook on life? These reflections can reveal clues to your purpose.
Lean into faith and prayer: If you have a faith tradition, lean on it as a source of comfort and direction. Prayer, scripture, and meditation can help ground you in difficult times.
Practice self-compassion: Be gentle with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself, celebrate small wins, and remember that growth is a journey, not a race.
Through these steps, you can begin to build a path forward, discovering a sense of purpose that aligns with your values and experiences. Even if you don’t have all the answers, faith and self-belief can be powerful guides on your journey.
Conclusion
To anyone facing hardship, know this: Your story is valuable, and you have the power to transform your pain into something meaningful. Faith and self-belief may not erase the pain, but they can provide a foundation upon which to build a life filled with resilience, purpose, and hope. Today, I stand as a testament to the power of finding purpose through adversity. I’m not defined by what I’ve been through but by how I’ve chosen to use my journey to uplift others.
As you walk your own path, remember that your faith is a light in the darkness, and your self-belief is the strength that will carry you through. Together, they can turn your struggles into stepping stones, guiding you to a future that’s not only purposeful but also profoundly impactful.
Read more from Adeola Oladele
Adeola Oladele, Author & Public Speaker
Adeola Oladele is a dedicated IT Analyst, accomplished author of two transformative books—Road to Self and Now What—and an innovative entrepreneur and wedding planner. With a focus on faith, empowerment, and self-growth, Adeola is passionate about uplifting teenagers and young women. Her commitment to this cause stems from her own childhood experiences, which have instilled in her a deep empathy for others.
