CHALLENGES
Challenges are everywhere and are always around with us. Whoever we are and whatever we do, we are never immune from challenges. In fact, some people have used challenges as stepping stones to successes while some have allowed challenges to step them down into stagnation and mediocrity.
Have you ever wondered what life would be without challenges? Do you often wish for a picture-perfect world where there are no tears to cry, no hearts to mend, no obstacles to surmount, and no hurdles to jump? Do you dream of an existence where from cradle to grave, humans live without the thrills and frills of challenges, where everything goes round merrily? Or do you often feel that God has singled you out for pain and punishment by bringing challenges your way?
Challenges come in the form of problems, pains, fears, frustrations, failures, tasks or experiences that tend to test our ability and skills, disrupt our so called ‘picture-perfect world’, and sometimes tense us up to such level that we become disoriented and lose our focus in life.
Challenges, however, are basic facts of life. They are here to stay. And in fact, life would lose its meaning without them! Hear the following comments from some people who rode on the wings of challenges to reach their goals and destinies in life:
“One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.”
-Steve Allen
“The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace and the brightest thunderbolt is the one elicited from the darkest storm. Problems are the price of progress. The obstacles of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.”
-Caleb Colton
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.”
-William Ellery
“You can have anything in this life. I repeat, anything, provided it is not a life full of problems.”
-Ron Holland
“Every adversity that comes across our path, whether large or small is intended to help us grow in some way. If it were not beneficial, God would not allow it.”
-Anon
” Though my natural instinct is to wish for a life free from pain, trouble and adversity, I am learning to welcome anything that makes me conscious of my need for God… Anything that makes me desperate for Him is a blessing.”
-Nancy Leigh DeMoss
“I learn, as the years roll onward and I leave the past behind, that much of what I counted as sorrow proves that God was kind; that many a flower I had longed for had hidden a thorn of pain, and many a rugged by-path led to fields of ripened grain.”
-Anon
Writing in the Christian Women Mirror Magazine (January 2010), an author wrote the following:
“Here are some reasons why God in His infinite wisdom allows challenges in our lives:
• Challenges PROVE our integrity, whether we are serving God because we truly love Him or because things are rosy;
• Challenges TEST the depth of our faith and convictions, whether we believe in the faithfulness of God and the reliability of His promises in all circumstances or in good times only;
• Challenges DRAW us closer to God, reminding us that we are helpless and hopeless without Him;
• Challenges HELP our spiritual growth and maturity, such that every challenge we overcome takes us to greater heights of faith, virtue and godliness;
• Challenges REFINE and PREPARE us for our callings and ministries in life;
• Challenges OPEN the way for the revelation and demonstration of the greatness of God in our lives, helping us to be more appreciative and strengthening of our faith;
• Challenges OPEN our eyes to the plights of others, making us more considerate, compassionate and emphatic towards others going though difficult times;
• Challenges KEEP us from being proud and vain, helping us to discover that we are as human and as imperfect as other people;
• Challenges REMIND us that we were strangers and pilgrims on earth, confirming to us that we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom;
• Challenges are EFFECTIVE instruments of correction, discipline and restoration, bringing us back to God’s loving arms whenever we stray away; and
• Challenges PREPARE us for the final glory to be revealed in us.”
Finally, challenges are what you want them to be: an OBSTACLE or an OPPORTUNITY. The difference between achievers and non-achievers is that while achievers see opportunities in every challenge, non-achievers see challenges in every opportunity!
Remember,
Stumbling blocks are often stepping stones to successful achievements.
When challenges push us to the wall, they pull us towards discovering our true selves and bringing out the bests in us.
SUCCESS IS SWEETEST WHEN GOTTEN ON A PLATTER OF CHALLENGES!
You will succeed!
Have you ever wondered what life would be without challenges? Do you often wish for a picture-perfect world where there are no tears to cry, no hearts to mend, no obstacles to surmount, and no hurdles to jump? Do you dream of an existence where from cradle to grave, humans live without the thrills and frills of challenges, where everything goes round merrily? Or do you often feel that God has singled you out for pain and punishment by bringing challenges your way?
Challenges come in the form of problems, pains, fears, frustrations, failures, tasks or experiences that tend to test our ability and skills, disrupt our so called ‘picture-perfect world’, and sometimes tense us up to such level that we become disoriented and lose our focus in life.
Challenges, however, are basic facts of life. They are here to stay. And in fact, life would lose its meaning without them! Hear the following comments from some people who rode on the wings of challenges to reach their goals and destinies in life:
“One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.”
-Steve Allen
“The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace and the brightest thunderbolt is the one elicited from the darkest storm. Problems are the price of progress. The obstacles of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.”
-Caleb Colton
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.”
-William Ellery
“You can have anything in this life. I repeat, anything, provided it is not a life full of problems.”
-Ron Holland
“Every adversity that comes across our path, whether large or small is intended to help us grow in some way. If it were not beneficial, God would not allow it.”
-Anon
” Though my natural instinct is to wish for a life free from pain, trouble and adversity, I am learning to welcome anything that makes me conscious of my need for God… Anything that makes me desperate for Him is a blessing.”
-Nancy Leigh DeMoss
“I learn, as the years roll onward and I leave the past behind, that much of what I counted as sorrow proves that God was kind; that many a flower I had longed for had hidden a thorn of pain, and many a rugged by-path led to fields of ripened grain.”
-Anon
Writing in the Christian Women Mirror Magazine (January 2010), an author wrote the following:
“Here are some reasons why God in His infinite wisdom allows challenges in our lives:
• Challenges PROVE our integrity, whether we are serving God because we truly love Him or because things are rosy;
• Challenges TEST the depth of our faith and convictions, whether we believe in the faithfulness of God and the reliability of His promises in all circumstances or in good times only;
• Challenges DRAW us closer to God, reminding us that we are helpless and hopeless without Him;
• Challenges HELP our spiritual growth and maturity, such that every challenge we overcome takes us to greater heights of faith, virtue and godliness;
• Challenges REFINE and PREPARE us for our callings and ministries in life;
• Challenges OPEN the way for the revelation and demonstration of the greatness of God in our lives, helping us to be more appreciative and strengthening of our faith;
• Challenges OPEN our eyes to the plights of others, making us more considerate, compassionate and emphatic towards others going though difficult times;
• Challenges KEEP us from being proud and vain, helping us to discover that we are as human and as imperfect as other people;
• Challenges REMIND us that we were strangers and pilgrims on earth, confirming to us that we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom;
• Challenges are EFFECTIVE instruments of correction, discipline and restoration, bringing us back to God’s loving arms whenever we stray away; and
• Challenges PREPARE us for the final glory to be revealed in us.”
Finally, challenges are what you want them to be: an OBSTACLE or an OPPORTUNITY. The difference between achievers and non-achievers is that while achievers see opportunities in every challenge, non-achievers see challenges in every opportunity!
Remember,
Stumbling blocks are often stepping stones to successful achievements.
When challenges push us to the wall, they pull us towards discovering our true selves and bringing out the bests in us.
SUCCESS IS SWEETEST WHEN GOTTEN ON A PLATTER OF CHALLENGES!
You will succeed!
Comments
Post a Comment