Feeling Challenged? Keep Going.

Ever feel like you are stuck in a rut? Meeting challenge after challenge with no end in sight? No matter how positive your intention is to start the day, you end the day in frustration. I know how you feel and I am here to tell you that this is a GOOD thing.  It means you are on the edge of glory, close to something incredible. I beg you friends, keep pushing through. Whatever you are working towards, weight-loss, breakthrough, promotion, or that something to come through that you have been praying about…it is coming. The point in which things get hard is when most throw in the towel, but sadly it is often when things are just about to change for the better.

This is a principle I have read about in countless books, even THE book. I have also seen it take place over and over in my life. Looking back, I know there are many times when I gave up too early. What could have been, I will never know.  But I know this lesson now.  I know that after the darkest point in the night, comes a beautiful sunrise.

A very simple example I can share with you is from a few years ago.  I was about 4 years into my career at Aurora University, but I was feeling frustrated.  I felt I didn’t have enough responsibility or influence to make the changes I wanted and was eager to move up the ladder and be more challenged, but didn’t feel like that would ever happen if I stayed at AU.  I started looking around for other potential job opportunities just to see what was out there and ended up getting an offer to work at another school at a higher position than where I was.  After much debate, I decided to not take the position.  The DAY after I made that decision…I was offered a promotion and a raise at AU.  WHAT? Something I literally did not even think was possible at the time.  It changed everything. Now 3 years later down the road, I am swimming with more responsibility and stress than I can sometimes handle (careful what you wish for right?) but it is yet another season that I am just praying and working my way through. I am not afraid of challenge, I am not afraid of hard work.

When things get hard or uncomfortable, don’t run away or shut down. Most people do, but not you.  You will prevail.  The fact is, life is hard for everybody all of the time. Those who are successful just know how to dig in and weather the storm. This principle applies to both the most complex and simple situations.  Do not think you are an exception to the rule.  You are meant for greatness.

I am not telling you to stick out every bad situation, relationship etc.  Some things are meant to be left behind.  I am saying that you should not be afraid of challenge or failure as they are life’s greatest teachers. Fall down 7 times, stand up 8.  That 8th time just might be your breakthrough.

Stay blessed in the mess 🙂