Food for Thought: Overcoming Challenges

At some point in our lives, we all face challenges of one kind or another.  Some challenges are welcomed and some might not be quite as easy to accept.  We like challenges such as playing a game to win, or of accomplishing something we take on willingly like making something for ourselves or someone else.  Even completing mundane chores can bring satisfaction, once they are completed.  But a challenging illness, or a challenging relationship can be much harder to deal with, and we might be tempted to complain, fight it or even give up.

Joshua Marine said, “Challenges are what make life interesting.  Overcoming challenges is what makes life meaningful.”  If we accept challenges with the attitude that with God’s help, we will overcome them, we can look forward to the time when we have conquered the challenge and can rejoice afterwards.  

One of the rewards of approaching challenges with a positive attitude is that we don’t let the worrisome thing get us down.  I have noticed that some people who are going through cancer treatments are often of the happiest people.  Once they have accepted the challenge of beating the disease, they seem to take great comfort and courage in knowing that they are doing everything they can to fight for a return to a healthy lifestyle.  Once they have beaten the disease, they seem to be more alive and grateful for their lives than ever before.  Having overcome a challenge often changes a person in positive ways. 

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans that believers can rejoice in our sufferings since suffering produces perseverance, character and hope.  God has given us the Holy Spirit whereby He pours out His love upon us.  If we didn’t suffer, we wouldn’t need God as much.  We tend to seek Him more and seek to understand Him and His ways better in our suffering.  Otherwise, we’d be complacent in our faith.  Remember that if there were no raindrops, there would be no rainbows.

James 1:12 tells us: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised.”