What Is Learned by Submitting to Challenges?

Challenges always coexist with varying degrees of frustration relative to the intensity of the challenge. In every stage of life frustration plays a major role. Adults are challenged today by changing roles they must master or be left behind.

Women are challenged to obtain and succeed in positions once held by men. Each year more women are accepted at medical schools than are men, and women professors at those schools continue to grow. This trend provides cause for women to celebrate.

If every challenge is accompanied by frustration, how are men responding to the challenge of sharing power with women who desire to use the talents God gave them. Challenges can be greeted with fear or seen as opportunities to grow into the person God intended. 

God intended for both men and women to be receptive to mastering new roles for the purpose of serving him and each other.                      

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If you wander off the road to the right or left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, “Here is the road: Follow it.”

~Isaiah 30:21 Good News Bible

 

Jesus said, “I am the Road [or the Way], also the Truth and the Life.”

~John 14:6 The Message

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God Intended for There to Be Change – Can You Comply?

The mother of a teenage daughter lamented how the social rules have changed since she was an adolescent. Women can now compete for positions in any career field and have proven to be worthy contenders. That a woman would run for president was unthinkable just two generations ago.

When a significant part of society changes, it forces the rest of society to realign itself. It’s analogous to systems theory, which implies if part of a system changes, the complete system is affected. So as women’s issues experience broad-spectrum change, men’s issues are modified accordingly.

The consolation for these changes is that God intended for there to be change, and with his guidance and wisdom there can be honor, integrity, mutual love and respect as God’s plans become apparent. Psalm 138:8 assures, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; His steadfast love endures forever.”             

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You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. Let the Holy Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy. 

~Ephesians 4:22-24 Contemporary English Version

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Modifications or a Complete Makeover?

The chance for a new beginning is often longed for when life does not meet our expectations. In the early days of our country, individuals would pack up and move to a new frontier in search of a better life. While a new beginning may be desired, it is possible to make modifications rather than going for a complete makeover. 

Modifications are needed when life is not as it should or could be. While old habits are hard to give up, it can be done when strong conviction exists to do it. With God creating that conviction, then determination, wisdom and power are available to make needed change.

In Genesis 2:4 God’s name appears as Lord and means "to be", "to live", or "life." Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” By giving Jesus preeminence in your life, he will provide meaning and purpose that will enhance your well-being. The love of the Lord Jesus Christ will empower you to make either needed modifications or a complete makeover.                     

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The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.

~Psalm 138:8 Christian Standard Bible 

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Discovering God's Purpose

Devising plans for achieving an objective depends on an underlying purpose that motivates the drive to succeed. Purpose creates and sustains momentum for success. A job may become boring, but a purpose such as supporting a family or planning for retirement provides enthusiasm for showing up each day.

Parents are well aware that children approach their schoolwork and chores at home with a relatively good attitude when they believe there is a purpose worthy of their efforts and energies. The rewards for doing well are essentially connected to long-term objectives, but acknowledging God's purpose for your life provides contentment and peace.

Samson found a purpose worth dying for at the very end of his life. He believed that this purpose was from God himself. It was perhaps consoling to realize God was working out his plan and purpose for him, as he is working out his purpose for you. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  

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The Lord will complete what his purpose is for me. Lord, your gracious love is eternal; do not abandon your personal work in me.

~Psalm 138:8 International Standard Version

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