Opposition

Webster's 1820 Dictionary:

1. Situation so as to front something else; a standing over against; as the opposition of two mountains or buildings.
2. The act of opposing; attempt to check, restrain or defeat. he makes opposition to the measure; the bill passed without opposition. Will any opposition be made to the suit, to the claim or demand?
3. Obstacle. the river meets with no opposition in its course to the ocean.

Quotes:

Opposition is true friendship. -William Blake

It is a true miracle when a man finally sees himself as his only opposition. -Vernon Howard

We all have our trials of life to strengthen us. Each thinks he has the hardest or most severe trials. It may be that they are the most difficult only because they are the hardest or most difficult for you. The diamond is enhanced and made more valuable with polishing. Steel is made harder and more valuable through tempering. So also opposition builds the character of man. All progress is made by overcoming an opposing force. -Eldred G Smith

I assure you that the waters in which we are wont to swim are but little puddles when compared with the deep rivers of opposition in which the Prophet Joseph and others swam. -Carlos E Asay

Scriptures:

2 Nephi 2:15 And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition.

2 Nephi 2:10-11 Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the ^dpunishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the ^eatonement—   For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.

Poems:

Unknown:
“Tis easy enough to be pleasant

When life goes by with a song,

But the man worthwhile

Is the man who can smile

When everything goes dead wrong.”

 

 What Dark Days Do by Everard Jack Appleton

    I sorter like a gloomy day,

        Th' kind that jest _won't_ smile;

      It makes a feller help hisself

        T' make life seem wuth while.

      When sun's a-shinin' an' th' sky

        Is washed out bright an' gay,

      It ain't no job to whistle--but

        It is--

          When skies air gray!

      So gloomy days air good fer us,

        They make us look about

      To find our blessin's--make us count

        The friends who never doubt,

      Most any one kin smile and joke

        And hold blue-devils back

      When it is bright, but we must work

        T' grin--

          When skies air black!

      That's why I sorter _like_ dark days,

        That put it up to me

      To keep th' gloom from soakin' in

        My whole anatomy!

      An' if they _never_ come along

        My soul would surely rust--

      Th' dark days keeps my cheerfulness

        From draggin'

          In th' dust!

 

How Firm a Foundation Hymn:

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

Personal Definition:

We have opposition in many things. Oppositions are often seen as trials. Through opposition we are strengthened. Christ is our help through all opposition, He has gone through everything and knows exactly what we are going through.

Links:

Opposition in Order to Strengthen Us
Opposition to the Work of God