By Mark Hutchinson

All of us experience adversity at some point in our lives, and we all deal with it in different ways.

Some seek out family and friends for consolation.

Some isolate themselves and wallow in self-pity.

Some vent their frustration, their anger and their pain by lashing out verbally and even physically at whatever objects -- animate or inanimate -- happen to be surrounding them.

Some go to even greater extremes.

And a precious few actually give thanks to the one who allowed that adversity to enter their lives.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd learned back on January 29 that he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the previous night's game against the Sacramento Kings.

Redd was examined the next day and told that the injury would sideline him for the remaining 35 games of the season, that it would require surgery, and that he would have to undergo extensive rehabilitation after that.

The injury was the most critical one of his life.

The Bucks organization issued a press release that day bearing the bad news and containing the following statement from Redd:

"I'm deeply disappointed, but everything in life happens for a reason and this is God's plan for me. I have faith in my teammates and coaches to continue to work together to make our fans proud. I will be supporting them wholeheartedly from the sidelines and working equally hard to return to the court in the best condition possible for next season."

A few days after this statement was released, while I was interviewing players in the Bucks lockerroom before a game, the doors to the adjacent training room swung open. Through those swinging doors came Michael Redd, sporting a set of crutches.

After Redd sank into the chair in front of his locker, I went over and expressed my condolences. Sincere as always, he thanked me.

And for the next few minutes, Redd -- the pastor's son --and I carried on a conversation that became unlike any I've ever had. It went like this:

MH: "I've heard that you've received a lot of encouragement from around the league since the news of your injury broke. Is that true?"
MR: "It's been great. It just lets you know that everybody's supporting you, and that they care. That means a lot to me, especially in these times. My teammates and guys all around the NBA have been very supportive."

MH: "It sounds like word traveled fast. How quickly did opposing players begin contacting you?"
MR: "My Olympic teammates and coaching staff contacted me almost right away, along with other guys around the NBA. It's been great."

MH: "Did anyone in particular really pick up your spirits? What sort of things did guys have to say?"
MR: "Everybody's been pretty much the same. Dwyane (Wade) called and talked to me about recovering from a knee injury. He's been through a couple of knee injuries, and that helps. Jamal Crawford, Willie Green ... guys like that have called and said they felt 100-percent better after their knee surgery. That made me feel good. They've given me encouragement about my recovery as well."

MH: "You guys go at it full-bore, yet you have each other's backs at times like these, don't you?"
MR: "No question. We all have mutual respect for each other when one of us goes down. I've done the same thing for guys who've gone through situations like this. It feels good to feel it back."

MH: "Considering the time you've spent together and the fact that you became Olympic gold medalists together, is it different hearing from your Olympic teammates than others?"
MR: "Yeah. They pretty much all called me within the first day or two. All of them. They've just supported me, asked me if I have a plan ... just wonderful sentiments, man. That really encouraged me. There's just this wonderful bond between all of us."

MH: "Because I know you're a Christian, I know you realize that this experience is a piece in the puzzle of God's plan, right?"
MR: "This is part of God's perfect plan, and I stress that -- perfect plan. This is how it's supposed to go. Sometimes things don't go how we think they should go, but it's all about how you respond. It's easy to respond and give God all the credit when you go on the stand and get a gold medal, but can you do it when you go through times like this?"

MH: "I'm guessing that if you're like me, you've met people who misunderstand the Bible passage (Romans 8:28) that says, 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' Some people seem to think the passage means that nothing ever goes wrong for Christians, when that's not what it means at all."
MR: "Exactly. 'All things' could be any situation. It could be a mountaintop experience; it could be a valley experience. But they ultimately lead to good, which is God's will for your life. And that is good. I could go on and on with this, but his will, again, supercedes our will. I understand that."

MH: "Regardless of whether we're Christians or not, our will and God's will don't always coincide, do they?"
MR: "No. Of course, I wish I could continue to play with the team this year and finish it off with a great playoff run or what not. That was my will, to continue to play and continue to keep doing what I'm doing. But God has other plans. God has his will."

MH: "Seeing and hearing God's message get through to someone -- especially someone who is experiencing adversity like you are right now -- is pretty inspirational. How do you reinforce your Christian faith and share it?"
MR: "There's a passage in the Bible that I really hold onto. In Hebrews (12:2) it says, 'For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross,' meaning that Jesus Christ knew what was on the back side of what he was going through right then (during his crucifixion). He knew the joy of being at the right hand of the Father and all these great things. He knew that, so he endured what he had to endure."

MH: "So you're trying to follow his example and place your trust in him, is that right?"
MR: "That's how I feel. I know I'm going to come back stronger than ever. Again, that's been my faith -- just to continue to trust in God and put my life in his hands."

As I drove home that night, I heard a radio commentator speaking about the adversity that had stricken Michael Redd. Then he expressed his disbelief, frustration, even anger, over comments by Redd that he had either seen or heard that were similar to those in the press release mentioned above.

He wanted to see and hear words of frustration, bitterness and rage. He wanted to see and hear Redd tear up the lockerroom. All he saw and heard instead were professions of acceptance, grace and faith.

I hope I never have to see another season-ending injury, but I am a realist.

I also hope I don't have to wait another 20 years to witness and share testimony like Michael Redd's.

And if one person takes this story to heart, then it has accomplished its mission.

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