We all face challenges. Some people face the challenge of getting along with someone else. For others, its battling a sickness. You may be facing a challenge with a child you are parenting. You may have a friend or family member who is battling an addiction. You may have an addiction. Many people have the financial challenge to pay their bills or to get out of debt. Perhaps you have a job that you hate. Maybe depression has gotten the best of you. You may be struggling with loneliness. Talk to people long enough, and you will hear what is challenging them.
Most people struggle to overcome their challenges. Their struggles get the best of them, turning them into either the angry, grumpy type–always complaining about their problems–or the worried and anxious type that is trapped in fear.
I have also noticed, however, that there are some who manage to face their challenges and conquer them. Somehow, they find a way. I am thinking of people like Helen Keller, who became blind at a young age, and Franklin Roosevelt, who lost his ability to walk because of polio, and Nick Vujicic who was born without arms and legs and now speaks to tens of thousands of people every year. No matter what challenges these people faced, they overcame them. How do they and people like them do it?
1. Overcomers believe they can overcome.
Overcoming a challenge begins and ends with belief. As Rob Dyrdek has said, “Those who quit are those who lose their belief.” It’s belief that allows you to take the steps that are needed to overcome. If you do not believe that you are capable, you won’t take the actions needed to overcome. For example, a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol will never attempt sobriety if he or she doesn’t believe they can be sober. If a person does not believe they can lose the weight, they will never attempt it. Instead, a feeling of hopelessness settles in.
If you want to overcome your challenges, you must believe you can overcome. As a person of faith, my belief goes beyond my own ability and extends to God’s ability. One of the most amazing things Jesus ever said was “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:23
2. Overcomers see challenges as an opportunity to grow.
Instead of viewing the challenge as a negative, overcomers view it as a positive, as something that will help them get better and stronger. Overcomers simply have a different attitude toward their challenges.
The truth is that the challenges you face are really opportunities to learn a new skill, develop more grit, become more disciplined, and, if you are a person of faith, learn to trust God more. James, the brother of Jesus, put it this way in James 1:2-4, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” Hardship, difficulties and challenges provide us with opportunities to grow.
3. Overcomers see their challenges as temporary and take ownership of the solution.
People who overcome their challenge’s in life see them as short-term problems that can be solved. There is a strong belief that their challenges won’t just fix themselves, but that they own the responsibility to find a solution. With some effort, determination and perhaps some creativity, any challenge can be overcome in a short amount of time. Therefore, they remain optimistic and hopeful, because they know that the challenge will soon be over. It will not last forever.
Their belief that the problem will not go on and on energizes them to take more action. By taking more informed action, they increase the likelihood of finding a solution. They end up fixing their marriage, getting out debt, defeating the addiction, restoring the friendship, and so on.
What challenge are you facing right now? Do you believe that you can overcome it? Do you see the challenge as an opportunity to grow and mature? Do you believe it’s your responsibility to find a solution?
Like this article? Subscribe!
Get email updates each time I post a new article!
