“What challenges have you faced recently and what did you do?”
Our Sunday school teacher read the question from the book and then glanced up at the seven Zoom frames.
I looked around, too, from my spot top center, waiting.
I’m usually the Bible study teacher, but in these strange times, I’ve stepped down and am attending classes.
It’s a challenge for me–because I talk, sometimes too much.
But, as the silence grew longer, I started to laugh and then unmuted myself.
“My life is full of challenges. Non-challenging days are the surprising ones. Please! Tell me. I’d like to hear about boring days.”
They all laughed and several people smiled before telling their stories.
What’s the deal with challenges?
Do you have them often?
Long ago, our Connecticut pastor stopped during a sermon to reveal a truth about challenges.
As Christians, you should expect challenges, trip-ups, craziness, all the time.
You should constantly have trouble with minor issues: lost keys, dead batteries, missing glasses.
But, take heart. That’s a sign that God is working in your life.
If nothing ever went wrong, Satan would have no reason to try to trip you up with petty nuisances.
So, the next time you face some sort of challenge, be thankful. That means you’re in the center of God’s will and someone is trying to thwart you.
Thanks, Ron. That helped.
But, how many times have I appealed to that higher authority?
Lord, what could I possibly be doing (making lunch, say) that Satan doesn’t want me to do?
He doesn’t usually say anything, but it helps, me at least, put events into perspective.
But, what are challenges?
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary has a simple definition: “stimulating task or problem.”
But there’s another one: ” the act or process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance.”
Or, in many cases, normal everyday life.
Anything, really, that sets up a hurdle to your normal way of life or causes you to veer off your planned course of action.
There’s a difference between taking part in ice bucket challenges, for example, and minding your own business when someone throws a bucket of ice water at you.
You’ve mentally geared up for the first, and are totally surprised by the second.
So, how do you respond?
Three Possible Responses
I see three ways people respond to changes in their expectations.
- Anger. “Now how will I go to work? I’m sopping wet!”
- Laughter. “This is ridiculous. I’m choosing to laugh about it.”
- Godly. “In everything give thanks for this is the will of our Father for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
I usually fall into the laughter category. The ridiculous things that have happened to me, can only make you laugh. Most of the time there is simply no other explanation.
What if the surprises are bad?
Nuisances, minor harassments, lost keys, surprises, wet clothing, are annoyances more than anything.
Catastrophe is a completely different situation.
Or is it?
Yes.
However, I’ve come to think that the challenges we face are really “skirmishes” in the battle for our souls.
This is where we practice how to respond to difficulties.
When our child spills his glass of milk for the fifteenth time, we have a choice.
Are we going to berate the boy or choose to see this as a teaching moment–for both of us?
Are we going to toss our arms in the air, laugh, shake our heads and think, “what else could go wrong?”
Or, will we choose to destroy his confidence with anger?
Deliberate malice is one thing. A foolish mistake is another.
Challenges and Choice
I’ve been mopping up milk for a very long time.
But it doesn’t bother me as much anymore.
I see it as a teaching exercise, not an opportunity to vent irritation.
When my new car was in three minor accidents in the first six months, I could condemn or choose to recognize the truth.
It’s a car. No one was hurt. No one meant to damage the car.
Sure, it was a hassle to take it to the repair shop, but in the grand scheme of things, it was still just a car. No one was hurt.
The third time it happened, I shook my head–and redirected my emotions.
Nothing would be gained by screaming at the man who hit the car.
Jesus reminds us,
In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
That’s good news. But, it’s also a reminder to expect challenges.
The question is not when will these surprises come. It’s “how will I respond?”
So what?
These are interesting times.
I live in Northern California where we’re experiencing our fourth year of catastrophic fires.
We’re weary from dealing with challenges, surprises, and catastrophes.
Some of my close friends have moved away.
Many who remain are struggling.
On that Zoom meeting, we could acknowledge the hard events several have endured. Most of us had been praying for each other through them.
Reading and discussing Daniel 2, reminded us that difficulties beset many in the Bible.
Their circumstances boggle my mind.
Yet the stories draw me back to one thing: the God who leads me on this life knows me.
He planned the events and challenges specifically for me.
I often don’t like them. But, I ask myself, do I trust God, or do I give in to Satan’s taunt?
Even when I don’t understand, or it all looks crazy, I choose God.
It’s the only response, and often a hard one, that ultimately takes me to love, joy, peace–and sometimes laughter–along the way.
Thanks be to God.
Tweetables
Dealing with challenges from a God perspective. Click to Tweet
The three responses to challenges: Anger, Laughter, Praise. Click to Tweet
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