Overcoming Challenge ...

Keep your faith in beautiful things;

in the sun when it is hidden,

in the Spring when it is gone.

Roy R. Gibson

In his book, A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE, Alan Cohen discusses how to turn an unfortunate

situation into a tool to be used for better opportunity.  He states, "Consider the possibility that even though someone may seem to mean an act for evil, God means it for good."

Alan Cohen reminds us of the biblical story of Joseph, the favored son, who was left in a desert to die by his jealous brothers.  A caravan rescues Joseph and brings him to Egypt where he becomes a spiritual advisor to the Pharaoh.

As the story unfolds, the brothers are thrown at the mercy of their successful brother begging for forgiveness.  Joseph replied, "Not necessary.  You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."  If he had remained at home with his family, he too would be begging as a result of the famine.

"When life hands us challenges or abuses," writes Alan Cohen, "it may actually be moving us into a position where we gain greater good than if the incidents had not happened."

During a presentation at a seminar, I asked participants to draw a line horizontally across a piece of paper.  Then I requested lines to be drawn down from that line like diagramming a sentence.  On these lines hanging down from the original line, the audience was instructed to record difficult challenges in their life. 

When completed, they were asked to draw lines upwards or vertically from the original line for recording the happy events in their life. 

The last instruction was to review the incidents both above and below the line.   Then a star was to be placed by every event that became a turning point or a dramatic change in life.

It was always interesting to discover the majority of stars were recorded beneath the line amongst the challenges.  We tend to learn more through challenges than through happy events.

Mr. Cohen reports, "In a Gallup Poll, 87 percent of those questioned stated that their most challenging experiences turned out to be among the most helpful."

So consider, if you will, the challenge you are facing ... whether it be not getting in the college of your choice, or not being offered the job of your choosing, or breaking an engagement, or forced into retirement ... might be a stepping stone to something much more rewarding.  Perhaps, only in hindsight will the benefit stand out clearly. 

Discover how to shift your misfortune into an opportunity that will enrich your life.  You must do your part.   

Alan Cohen's prayer for the day:

     "I pray to use Your vision today.  Remove

     any sense of smallness and victimization

     from my heart, and help me make my

     experiences work on my behalf."