The Upside of Adversity: Rising from the Pit to Greatness (Hardcover)

by Os Hillman (Author) "A man in a dark suit ushered me into the luxurious sitting room of the penthouse suite..." (more)
Key Phrases: pit experience, spiritual strongholds, Joseph Pit, King David, Promised Land (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Os Hillman is a modern-day biblical Joseph who experienced his own decade-long journey from the pit of despair to the pinnacle of success in life and in the workplace. Here, he explains how God uses adversity to show His power and purpose. Os identifies seven reasons people experience adversity, and the three stages of response—including practical ways to cope when circumstances veer out of control. You’ll see why some people become victims while others become victors. Then, you’ll discover hope and inspiration in the stories of others who have survived difficult experiences and rose to positions of influence. Like a well-thrown life preserver, Hillman gives you the wisdom you need to see your negative experiences as God-given positive opportunities.

From the Back Cover
Can God actually use prolonged difficulty in our lives for good? Os Hillman says yes! After a seven-year journey filled with adversity in his personal and work life, Os went from the pit of despair to operating an international speaking and teaching organization for workplace leaders that has taken him to more than 20 countries. Like the Joseph of the Bible, Os let God use a long string of personal calamities-what he terms his "Joseph Pit"-to form him for leadership, influence and service.

During this seven-year process, Os learned there is a "Joseph Calling" on the lives of many who experience extraordinary levels of adversity in their lives. He documents this process in The Upside of Adversity. Here, you'll discover a roadmap for navigating through the deep and often treacherous waters of adversity including the seven reasons we experience difficulties, and three ways we respond. You'll discover hope and inspiration in the stories of those who survived and overcame their hard times to rise to positions that revealed God's power and purpose. You'll discover why Os believes God is raising up modern-day Josephs today and what you need to know to successfully fulfill God's purposes in and through your adversity. Like a well-thrown life preserver, Hillman gives you the wisdom you need to see your negative experiences as God-given opportunities to experience God in ways you never thought possible. Do you find yourself in adversity today? Do you have a "Joseph Calling?" It may be the best thing that ever happened to you. Find out why!

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Regal (October 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830739165
• ISBN-13: 978-0830739165
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,632 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of best books I have EVER read!, October 20, 2006

By	Scott Saunders - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you have ever said; "God, where are you?", or "God, why have you forgotten me?", or "God, why are you punishing me?", or "God, please take me home now!", this is a must read. For anyone who has been in an extended period of trial where nothing seems to work, and lots of things are going wrong, Os Hillman's book will give you tremendous hope and encouragement for the process and the future. You will see yourself on these pages, and you will also see David, Joseph, Paul, the other apostles and Jesus Christ himself. You will learn how your time of trial is actually a period of transformation from the old you to the new you that God is going to work through for his glory. You have been specifically chosen by God because he loves you and recognizes who you are and what your potential is. You are that precious and important to him that you have been selected to be refined by the fire, and go through God's training program in order that you might fulfill the destiny God has planned for you. Much as a caterpillar has to on its own struggle to emerge from its chrsyalis to become a beautiful butterfly, you will see how we have to struggle on our own through a similar process before we emerge as the beautiful creation God meant us to be. If you yourself or someone you know is going through an extended period of trail, buy this book. You will not regret it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do You Have a Joseph Calling?, November 3, 2006

By	Stephen E. Garner (Buchanan, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Upside of Adversity delivers a much-needed message to a culture that seeks comfort, convenience, and ease. In this post-modern era we rarely hear that adversity builds strength, character, and a reliance on God. But some special people have a Joseph Calling on their lives. The author of this book, Os Hillman, is just such a person. In The Upside of Adversity he draws parallels between Joseph in the Bible and his own trials and tribulations which took him from a successful marketing career to his current global ministry of Marketplace Leaders [...].

In this book you will learn such powerful principles as, "The pathway to leadership almost always takes us through the valley of adversity." You will learn how that God often uses the "desert places" in our lives to speak to us. You will learn about the Judas Test, the Integrity Test, the Perseverance Test, and the Test of Success. You will also learn to identify and demolish spiritual strongholds in your life.

This is a book for any Christian who has experienced adversity in their lives. In other words, this is a book which every Christian should read. Everyone who lives in this fallen world will experience adversity. If you would like to change your adversity paradigm so that you can see the positives that can come from your pain, this is a book you should read. Those who have been blessed by reading Os Hillman's daily devotionals from Today God Is First (Destiny Image 2000) will not be disappointed by the insight and wisdom found in this powerful book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing less than outstanding, March 2, 2007

By	V. Kelley "Kelley" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read it once and knew it had my name on it. I read the last page and turned right around and started it again. I am finding things I never saw the first time. It has been an amazing journey and an incredible comfort during my own Joseph Pit experience.