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Hard times can bring out the best in us. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, depressions, and even war can change us for the better. In the good times, though, we often rot away at our center. The decay may not become apparent for a long time. But eventually, it shows.

And sometimes it takes hardship to remind us how much we need family, friends, church—even God. Sometimes it takes hardship to bring renewal. Will this be the case next time around? Maybe it depends on what we are mourning in our loss.

Is it the character and love that came about at one time in our history? The loss of something that captured who we are and what we stand for? Or is it the money and what it could buy?