The Challenge

Work can be challenging at times. Family can as well. Life in general can be a challenge. I recently had a work challenge present itself. An important member of our IT staff gave his notice and was gone in what felt like just a moment. It left a void. He was a great fit in the team and helped in quite a few ways. I am a bit melancholy about the issue even still, but it is a challenge I am ready to confront, deal with, and grow from.

That has not always been the case. Just last year I was in panic mode through this season from other work challenges. I was ready to just quit and move to the wilderness. I wanted to find something to do that didn't involve answering questions, solving other people's problems, or getting emails at all. It wasn't a good place to be for an IT professional. I was a wreck. A lot has happened since then.

Late last year a friend recommended that I attend a men's event that is intended to be a difficult event that challenges each attendee to deal with the struggles they have, the opportunities they have for growth, and areas that need improvement in four primary areas of our life. Maybe some of you will recognize this. The areas are referred to as the four pillars.

• Faith

• Family

• Fitness

• Finance

I attended the event and it was certainly the challenge they said it was. I was so sore from the pushups we did that I don't think I fully recovered for over a week. It was tough. It was also amazing. I was pushed to deal with things I had been bottling up, pushed to act on things that I felt God was leading me to do, and pushed to "level up" in the four pillars.

Since that event I have been attempting to deal with things differently. I want to react in a way that fits what I believe. I want to reflect Christ in how I deal with the challenges and trials that life presents. We are meant to be a reflection of Christ in all we do. Anxiety, fear, panic, and anger don't reflect Him. That outlook has been immensely helpful to both deal with challenges that present themselves and accept the challenges that others present to me.

One of the phrases I saw and heard in that event was "Pain is the path". I initially thought there may have been some latent masochism in that phrase, but I saw the Bible reference that they drew that from and it made a ton of sense. James 1:2-4 says "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

That is a hard verse. If I take the liberty to paraphrase, I'm seeing "count it joy that you get dragged through the mud" or "count it joy that someone makes life harder than you are comfortable with". The upside is significant though. Producing patience or endurance is a big deal. I can't reach that point without getting outside of personal comfort. I can't reach it without being challenged. In the time that the verse was written it may have involved physical persecution. I get whiny about minor discomforts at times. They were dealing with life and death issues.

As I was thinking about this concept today I kept thinking of questions. They were really for myself, but perhaps it can be helpful to you as you consider the nature of being challenged.

• Am I being challenged by those I am the closest to?

• Am I willing to accept their challenge?

• Am I reacting to challenges or trials in a way that reflects Christ?

• Do I challenge those around me with the intention of growth?

Growth is not accomplished by staying comfortable. Proverbs 27:17 is a favorite verse for men's groups, but iron cannot sharpen iron without friction. Sparks may fly, heat may be generated, and comfort isn't part of the equation. I want to lean into that. If I want to accelerate my personal growth I must embrace the hard things. I can't stay comfortable. I must "embrace the suck". This concept has certainly challenged me. I hope it challenges you.