Introduction
Life is filled with suffering and challenge. We become overwhelmed and burdened by it. Then, we turn to God and start following in His footsteps. We expect everything to get easier, but usually the opposite happens. Is this normal? Why and how do we face challenges and how do we overcome it? Let see what the bible says.
Life Is Challenging
We live in a broken and fallen world. Everything falls short of the glory of God. As a result, life is difficult. But why then, do we seem to face even more challenges when we become Christ followers. Shouldn’t it get easier?
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
– Matthew 10: 16 (NIV)
We were called for a mission. To be fishers of men. To bring the heavenly spirit to earth. Our mission is radically opposed to the powers and rulers of the world. A big task, brings big challenges with it. Facing challenge is normal, if you have a mission to change people’s lives.
Challenge is a compass. If you are not facing challenge, one of two things must be true. Either we are living in heaven, which I think we can agree is not the case. Or we are ineffectual in our mission.
Think about it this way. We live in a spiritual battlefield. If we are sitting in the side lines, not doing much to effect the fight, why would the enemy target and risk provoking us. No, if you want to win the fight, you try to take out the warriors in the middle of the fray, turning the tides of battle. Therefore, if you become a Christ follower, you become a target for the enemy. Facing challenges, shows us we are headed in the right direction according to God’s will. We are called to challenge.
“If I’m a target for the enemy
Then it means I’m where I’m supposed to be
There’s a war that’s raging over me
But I know the One who holds… the victory”
– Sarah Reeves, Right Where You Want Me
So, what is to be done about the challenges we face? Is it something we are just stuck with? Or is it something we can use?
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
– Romans 5: 3- 5 (NIV)
Facing The Challenge Willingly
Challenges suck. Why would you want to do something that is difficult? It is much easier to just ignore challenges, or to peruse simpler interests. This line of thinking will cripple you.
To paraphrase as Dr. Peterson writes in his book, 12 rules for life, shying away from challenge has dire consequences. Shying away is how serious phobias take root in people. If someone, for example, fears social interaction, and they avoid an interaction with a crowd. Their phycology will note that the challenge was so great and dangerous, that they had to run away. Next, maybe they avoid the grocery store, because the situation is too much like their previous experience with the crowd. Eventually they will bar themselves in their homes, because any social interaction is too threatening.
“Don’t you shy away
Manifest a ceiling when you shy away”
If we try to avoid a challenge, we become less equipped to deal with the next challenge. If we don’t face our challenges, they grow bigger. If we limit our challenges, we limit ourselves and our potential. If we face the challenge, it will be difficult in the moment, but we will learn to overcome. We will stumble but learn to get back up. If you face the challenge, you will become bigger than the challenges you’re facing. You allow God to equip you for the challenges He has called you to. If you build muscles with the smaller weights, you will be able to lift the bigger ones.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
– James 1: 2- 4 (NIV)
Anything worth doing, is going to be challenging. You will stumble as you make your way uphill, but that’s infinitely better than not going anywhere. Moreover, we live in a time where God’s glory has not been completely manifested in the world. Life is going to be difficult and full of suffering either way. You might as well pick the challenges you want to engage with. Pick your own poison, before the world decides for you. Face those challenges willingly, equip yourself, learn, build muscle. Not meekly or cowardly, but with self-control and discipline. “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
“No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.”
– Carl Jung
How To Face The Challenge
What’s holding you back from facing the challenge? Maybe you’re scared to begin out of fear of being laughed at. Maybe you’re ashamed of how small you need to start. You may even doubt your ability to overcome bigger obstacles.
“If you are not willing to be a fool, you can’t become a master.”
– Jordan B. Peterson
I used to be afraid of being laughed at if I failed at something. I would think of how small the challenges I faced was, and how it paled in comparison to other people’s. But, the world generally does not work this way. If you fall and get hurt, for example, people generally rush to your aid. There’s no shame in stumbling, the road uphill is difficult.
Even if you have to start small. Everyone has to start somewhere. Laughing at an overweight person for going to the gym, is like laughing at a sick person for going to the doctor. The world generally admires people who face obstacles bravely. Even if they have to start small. If you persevere, your ability will grow quickly, and you will be able to face bigger challenges. Take small steps, but push yourself towards a challenge and face it head on.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
– 1 Corinthians 10: 13 (NIV)
If you doubt your ability to face the challenge. If you feel like the challenge is far greater than you are. Overwhelming and daunting, God has a promise for you. There is no challenge you will face, that He cannot get you through. No challenge is bigger than God. If your strength fails you, look to the one who strengthens you and allows you to endure anything. (Philippians 4:13) He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
– 2 Corinthians 4: 8- 9 (NIV)
Why should we face the challenge? Because, we are brave and courageous. We are God’s children. Heirs to the King. We are called to heavenly purposes. To face the challenges the world refuses to. To manifest heaven on earth. To follow God. To stand up for the persecuted. To heal the broken. C. S. Lewis writes and analogy for Christians in his book, The hideous strength, and gives us lion like authority. If you submit to God and lay down your life for something bigger than yourself, you will gain a purpose and confidence, that the world cannot shake. We are strengthened by our Father, not our own ability.
“Everything about them was different. They could not even fling themselves into chairs without suggesting by the very posture of their limbs a certain lordliness, a leonine indolence. There was elbow-room in their lives, as there had never been in his. They were Hearts: he was only a Spade.”
– C.S. Lewis, That Hideous Strength
Conclusion
Life is full of suffering whether you face it or not. Don’t let the challenges of life crush you into despair. Don’t shy away from the challenge and limit yourself. Choose your challenges and face them willingly. Build your strength in God and persevere that you may be equipped for His’ purposes.
John
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“The world generally admires people who face obstacles bravely.” This blog and in particular this part gave me so much hope and courage to take the first step to face the challenge.
The world is one big challenge and if you put your trust and Faith in God, He will carry you and show you a way. Every heart has a story a good one and a broken one. God will protect you when you take on your challenge. Thank you for this nice message