Challenges

Dear Millennial,

I’ve consistently found myself in conversations discussing the topic of challenges lately. The context in which the topic had been discussed was more so been related to professional growth & opportunity… more specifically, the question…

“What if my next role isn’t challenging enough?”

If you’ve asked yourself the same question or something similar regarding challenges, I want to share something with you. As a recovering overachiever, I too have had moments in my life when I felt as though the only way “up” was to endure a challenge, and I’m not just speaking professionally. That was until I found the challenge I was looking for… and it turned my world, thought process, and views upside down! I quickly learned that we are surrounded by challenges that we don’t have to look far to find. 

Challenges come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What I had to understand for my own sanity was that it wasn’t up to me to cherry-pick my challenges. I learned that where one area of my life may have been uneventful and quiet, there were plenty of other “challenges” in my life to keep me busy. I shared the following during those recent conversations:

Our lives are like a game of chess, consistent and unpredictable movement. If that next move in your life isn’t the “challenge” you were hoping for, that’s ok. Have you ever thought that maybe God purposely engineered that moment for your betterment? The moments that lack challenge may allow you to focus on other areas of your life that require more attention. Maybe the moment was designed for you to focus on…

• Walking in your purpose
• Self-care
• Family
• Physical/mental health
• Adjusting to changes you’ve recently experienced (break-ups, relocation, etc.)
• Going back to school
• Getting closer to God

…and the list goes on.

The lack of challenge you think you may be experiencing could be the moment needed to change your life. I read a devotional a few weeks ago that has stuck with me. It gave me peace as I’ve started to re-evaluate various areas of my life, and what I was created to do:

“God allows each of us preparation time to lay a foundation that He will build upon. The foundational times appear to be difficult and meaningless, yet these varied experiences are what God is using to frame your life for the message HE plans to demonstrate through you.

Embrace these times of seeming inactivity from God. They are a rocket booster to the next stage of your walk with God.”

We have to stop trying to purposely work ourselves into the ground because we think it’s the only way. Instead, we should pay attention to the little things, and start putting our energy and best efforts into the areas of our lives that need it most.

You don’t always have to go looking for a challenge. Believe me, it has no problem finding you.

-Millennial Jas