I’ve faced some challenges in my life. Some I’ve faced recently– both personal and professional challenges (even a crisis or two). In fact, you could say I’ve got a lovely buch of challenges. Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head! Relax– it’s just the lyric to a song.
Some people have more challenges than others. Others have fewer challenges with greater weight. Some people are born with challenges, while others don’t face many until later in life. The point is, we all have challenges, and we all must understand that no matter how great, how numerous, or how big our challenges are, God hasn’t allowed you to face them for nothing.
All throughout scripture we see biblical heroes and heroins who face great challenges. Some big, some small, but all of them for a purpose. I could probably sound really knowledgeable and spew out countless verses and references, but I don’t need to. Just go open your bible, turn to any page, and you will find somebody going through some sort of challenge.
Seriously, go do it, right now and prove me wrong. I’ll wait.
God uses challenges time and time again, whether He has caused them, or in his sovereignty allowed them to happen. Each and every time one of God’s people is faced with a challenge in scripture, God uses it for his glory. Here’s the reasons I’ve found that God trusts us with challenges:
- To grow us in wisdom.
- To show us we need Him.
- To draw others to Him.
A challenge is something God has trusted us with to bring about his greater glory.
A real-life example
My friend Rick is an incredible man of God. He and his wife have a heart for serving and leading others toward Jesus. They also have been trusted with a very important challenge. Their son Noah was born with down syndrome.
When faced with this devastating challenge they did what 9 out of 10 people faced with this same challenge would fail to do. They decided to own it and use it to the glory of God.
Rick runs a blog called NoahsDad.com where he has made it his goal to spread awareness about down syndrome, unite parents of children with down syndrome, and show the world what God can do when you faithfully trust Him. He posts daily videos featuring his adorable son Noah, and frequently gives invaluable lessons on living with down syndrome.
NoahsDad.com is a blog about Down syndrome, [our] son, and the videos, pictures, and facts that tell [our] story. [We] hope.
Their hope is to change the way the world perceives this challenge they’ve been given, which is also given to thousands of others all over the world. By the grace of God, they are using this challenge for His glory.
Back to you
You have challenges in your life. I don’t know if they’re financial, emotional, mental, or spiritual. But what I do know is that God has trusted you with those challenges. And no matter how big those challenges are, God is bigger.
What if we could view our challenges as more than just something working against us, but rather something God is going to work us through for the better? What if we could trust God to get us through the challenges we face instead of trying to deal with them in our own strength? What if we looked at our next big challenge as something that God is trusting us with? What would we do with it then?
What if I stopped asking rhetorical questions and let you chime in? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Thanks Dustin for the kind words! It’s interesting you wrote this, because I wrote a post tonight on our site about how different doesn’t always equal ‘more’ difficult. It just means different. And different is ok.
It’s amazing how God loves us enough to give us “different” in our life. Different comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and different is what typically helps us grow the most (and the quickest.)
We are 14 months into this awesome journey of parenting, and learning about Down syndrome, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t change one single thing about this adventure. I seriously mean it. It’s epic in the truest sense.
So to anyone reading this, know that when challenges (and different) come…..you are about to grow in ways that ‘normal’ (whatever that is) could never teach you!
Amen! Thanks for being awesome Rick! And keep doing what God has called you to do! You’re touching more lives than you can imagine!
I follow Rick on Twitter and I get his posts. Awesome stuff. And those blue eyes will melt your heart. If you are wondering what I’m talking about…you will have to check out his blog
Keep up the great work Rick!
Rick, it is touching seeing what Dustin had to say about you and your family. It sounds like you are doing a terrific job and using a challenge to encourage others. Keep up the great work.
Amen. Truly inspirational, reading this has reminded me how amazing our God is and how much he loves us. When people read this I guarantee that everyone of them will be touched by this and think the same and He will truly receive the glory that he deserves.God bless you all and these works you are doing.
Thank you Vivian!
Great stuff Dustin! I had actually just finished reading my bible and it was a Psalm of David crying out to God as he often did for help through a trial. I think the key is letting God be our guide. He doesn’t give us these trials to leave us helpless. He wants us to call on Him and if we do He will show us the resolution. It may not always be what WE want it to be but it will be what we need it to be.
So true David! The biblical David is an excellent example of facing challenges of epic proportions!
Great post Dustin! I happen to be in the middle of a lot of life happening right now, which is why I have been on a hiatus from blogging. It’s great to serve a God who is faithful throughout all of life’s challenges. He is an endless source of strength and comfort, and as believers in His name He doesn’t let the trials of this life go to waste. He uses them to make us more and more like Christ. I’m so grateful that when we obey Christ in the midst of difficult circumstances, our obedience is not in vain. He honors it because He loves us.
Indeed he does Louis! Praying for you brother!
As usual, I enjoyed reading the post. It’s impossible for our trust in Him to grow without experiencing challenges. Over the last three years, I’ve learned a lot about my relationship with God. At the time, I couldn’t understand why. But looking back at that season, I can see the growth as a result. I think the most important thing to do when you don’t understand why you’re going through is to get into the Word and to speak His promises. He is faithful!
And as usual, I really appreciate your feedback Marcus! Miss you guys! Praying for you daily!
Appreciate the prayers! Your family is in ours, too! Last night, we found out that my grandmother is in the hospital. She went in for an appointment, and they admitted her. She has fluid around her heart.
An other great post, Dustin! I like challenges – in fact I actually seek them constantly – because they show me how much of my faith is “real”. It’s been sobering to me to watch people who can quote hundreds of passages out of the bible just drop their entire “belief-system” in the face of unexpected challenges. Trust is where the rubber meets the road. It’s so easy to try to adjust God’s word to our circumstances, but we’re called to do it the other way around: Submit out circumstances to His word. This takes an act of standing up and choosing to believe and proclaim God’s promises as more real than whatever circumstance tries to steal our hope. The beauty of the Christian life is to watch the impossibilities of lie bow their knees at the name of Jesus.
I meant the impossibilities of life
Well said Daniel.
It’s about conforming your life to your faith, not finding a faith that conforms to your life.
I meant to respond to this a while ago… Awesome perspective Daniel! Love it!
Fantastic post, Dustin. Not to mention timely – I’ve found myself entering what looks to be the biggest challenge of my life to date…getting married. After being single for so many years, God has finally brought me the companion I didn’t realize I needed. We’ve already had our share of ups and downs in our relationship, but by His grace we have grown stronger both individually and as a couple. I look forward to seeing what He has in store for us in the future.
That is a huge challenge Roger but one that is well worth it. You and your wife will cause each other to grow and flourish.
God has some awesome things in store for you my friend! I’m happy for you, and excited for you! Be blessed!
Thanks for this. An encouragement that I needed as I face the challenge of doing my masters degree. I know God wants me here but I’m not the most disciplined student – that’s where he comes in! Definitely need him in this with me daily!
I’m so glad God was able to use me to give this to you Erin! Be encouraged and know you’re in my wife & my prayers!
This is a great way to look at it. In James, challenges and tragedies are portrayed as something we should be eager to accept as teachers. It really gives you a different view of things when you’re in the middle of the storm.
“Consider it pure joy…” – talk about hard to swallow! When you’re in the middle of a storm, the last thing you want to do is consider it joy… but it is the only thing that will change your perspective.
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Every challenge we successfully complete is another lesson learned and another level of maturity reached.
Couldn’t have said it better! Thanks David!
Dustin, Thankyou so much for your article! While I know the LORD intended it for many people, I also know HE intended it for me personally at this time
I’m glad to hear it Gail! Praying for you to see your challenges in a whole new light!
Awesome!
When you speak personally of God, your heart for him truly shines. God bless you and every word you’ve spoken here… you’re a wise, gifted man of God and I appreciate your willingness to humorously and lovingly share with us.