Mike’s Musings ….
CHALLENGES
They come in all shapes and sizes, varying degrees of difficulty, and always at the most unwelcome times. Often, they create frustration, and seldom are they appreciated. Regardless of how we view them, challenges are a part of our lives. The adage is, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The truth is that challenges always teach us if we’re willing to learn from them. Only two results come from facing challenges: either success or defeat. If a successful conquering of the challenge results, we have advanced our knowledge by learning how to accomplish that task. If defeated, it might not be a “failure,” but rather a lesson in how NOT to succeed. Either way, if we’re willing to LEARN from the experience, challenges can help improve our lives.
Spiritually, the inspired James makes this statement regarding challenges: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1: 2 4 emp. mjd) Yet, instead of accepting the “trial of their faith,” some believe the challenge to be something of an affront to their convictions, and growing despondent, leave the Lord, His church, and the faith they once defended. In doing so, they forfeit the growth they need to strengthen their faith and prove their love for God and His word. Of this Peter wrote, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1 6-9).
I often muse on challenges as they happen daily. Knowing the truth of Hebrews 13:5-6, I can face any challenge with God’s word guiding me, and learning from it, become stronger for the experience. Thus, rather than complain about them, I endure them, and pray I don’t forget the lessons learned from both success and defeat!