Life! What is life? Perhaps that’s a question you may be asking yourself right now. Life is indeed a challenge especially if you are facing personal challenges or are surrounded by others who are. Life has a way of presenting us with new and unexpected challenges that block our goals and force us to make some major adjustments.
If perchance you are faced with challenges today, you need to look at challenges or obstacles as a series of tests. They are not there to prevent you from reaching your dream or from achieving your goals. View them as being there to teach you something about yourself. Every challenge contains a blessing in disguise!
You see, challenges are important in life to build character. They strengthen a lot of the life skills that we need to survive. Going through life’s challenges teaches us patience, faith, endurance, how to extend ourselves to others and to be more open to others where we may not have before, how to care for people and, more so, they teach us how to draw closer to God. In essence how to pray!
Often times, when we have our eyes set on a goal, we don’t like anything to get in our way or to slow us down. But often we come against goal blockers. It is in those times that we must learn how to surpass and overcome them. When challenges and obstacles come our way, here are some things we need to do individually:
1. Change perspective.
We should train ourselves to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. When we find our thoughts going in a negative direction, let us challenge ourselves to focus on the positive side of things. Ask questions like: What can we do to improve this situation? What lessons can be learnt from these situations that will help us to things differently in the future? How can this situation help us to do better serve others? Develop an attitude of gratitude. Begin to give God thanks in all things. This will lay the foundation for an uplifted spirit and positive perspective.
2. Surround yourself with positive people.
Negative people are emotionally draining and not fun to be around. On the other hand, positive people breed positive energy. Therefore, go out of your way to surround yourself with positive people who are optimistic and encouraging. People who possess these qualities are hopeful and upbeat. Not only can they be fun to be around, but they can also give you a sense of strength during uncertain times.
3. Encourage yourself.
What you say to yourself during those times is important. Read inspirational stories, poems, Psalms or sing songs and hymns that will empower you to go on. Work on programming yourself and your mind for success. Doing this will reprogramme your mind and interrupt the negative thoughts that may be holding you down.
4. Make healthy choices.
Making healthy choices will have a positive impact on your attitude and energy level. Start by making small changes in your day to day routine. Increase physical activity in your day to day activities. Eating right and getting enough rest will improve your mood and your attitude.
5. Motivate yourself.
Say to yourself…. I CAN. Let the challenge bring out the best in you. Slow down. Think the process through first before reacting. Tell yourself, there is no way I am going to let this situation bring out the worst in me! I am not going to fail at this. If you develop that mindset, you will get through the situation.
6. Stay calm and cool headed.
When faced with serious troubles and problems in life, it is important that you recollect yourself, and calm yourself. Never panic your way through it. Take a deep breath, relax, and slow down. Think things through calmly.
7. Simplify the problem or challenge.
Break it down into steps. This will make it easier and manageable to deal with. As you get through each step, you will develop more belief that you can get it done, then you will. Maintain being positive and confident. Believe you have the ability to handle it. When you get into the mind frame of doing it mentally, you will actually be able to do it.
8. Look at the positive side of things.
As the saying goes, “when life hands you a lemon make lemonade.” Say to yourself – “This too shall pass.” God has a way of working things out for our good if we trust him! Place the situation in His hands.
You see, life will never be without challenges. They come to each one of us to test our faith, to see what we are made of, and to find out who do we rely on. Jesus’ life was never without challenges. When those times came, he turned to His heavenly Father. This allowed him to remain composed because he knew nothing was impossible with God, and that He had everything under His control. That is a lesson we need to learn as well.
Before undertaking any venture, it is advisable that we bear in mind that this life of challenges is inevitable. We must never undermine life obstacles or assume that we are strong enough to cope with them. It is very vital that we acquire the right mental preparedness to handle problems and to move on after setbacks.
We may be facing challenging times, but we are in control of how we view our situations. Therefore, to overcome challenges, we need to have that “never quit” attitude in life. If we develop it, we will overcome quite a bit.
If we really believe that God is working all things for our good, then one of the great challenges is to allow hard, painful, and tear-filled experiences to be our teacher in this classroom called life.
Remember: Tough times don’t last, but tough people do!
