Leaning into Challenges
Shifting your perspective
What if we shifted our focus from the discomfort of hard things to the outcomes they can bring?””
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28 This verse has taken on new meaning for me in recent years. As I’ve faced various challenges—both personal and professional—I’ve come to see how perseverance can transform our understanding of hardship. It’s easy to want to sidestep difficult situations because they often feel uncomfortable, but how often do we emerge from the other side of a struggle, realizing it wasn’t as daunting as we feared? What if we shifted our focus from the discomfort of hard things to the outcomes they can bring? By setting our sights on the end result, we can better navigate the internal turmoil that often accompanies difficulty.
When we're in the midst of a tough situation, it's easy to fixate on the pain and long for an escape. But the more I engage with challenges I want to tackle, the more I find myself moving through them, trusting that they'll teach me something valuable or help me grow, regardless of the outcome—whether good or bad. This mindset has made discomfort feel more familiar and manageable. Now, I often ask myself: “Will this experience help me grow?” I find that I can lean into hardship with the spirit of “...all things work together for good.” This shift has freed me from holding back on pursuits I feel called to undertake. When I’ve questioned whether starting a new job or learning a new skill was a mistake, I’ve learned to reframe those thoughts. I either continue forward, believing it’s where I should be, or I pivot, embracing the growth and new connections that come my way.
“It’s human nature to look for the good amidst the difficult, and that pursuit is where true growth occurs.”
Every experience shapes who we are; nothing is wasted. While some lessons may only reveal themselves in time, others become clear almost immediately. Good is often what we can recognize right away, while the bad challenges us to seek out the silver lining. It’s human nature to look for the good amidst the difficult, and that pursuit is where true growth occurs. I’m not suggesting that we glorify evil —this is a separate issue. Yes, we can learn from evil, but that doesn’t mean we should celebrate it.
A recent example of stepping into the hard comes from my own creative journey. While I’ve always considered myself somewhat creative, my drawing skills are basic at best. The path I wanted to pursue required a deeper understanding of this skill. As I began to sketch, the process felt overwhelming, and I often doubted my ability and even wondered if I should quit. Yet, I reminded myself that discomfort is part of the journey. I focused on the skills I could develop rather than on how challenging it felt. Looking back now, I see the gradual improvement in my work—a testament to the truth that growth is a slow, step-by-step process. I recognized that at any point, I could pivot, not because it was hard, but because I didn’t feel called to continue. Regardless of the outcome, I knew I would either walk away with a new skill or choose to keep pursuing it if I felt a genuine calling to do so.
Whether you’re facing unavoidable challenges in finances, career, or health, or you’re pursuing a dream but feel inadequate, consider looking at where this journey could lead you rather than just how difficult it feels. Embracing hard things is essential for growth. It’s how we discover opportunities, forge connections, and develop our talents. Avoiding challenges means missing out on the richness of life. While growth can be painful, it’s the only way we truly move forward. By focusing on what we can learn and how we can grow, we can make the struggle feel less burdensome and more meaningful. We can be present in the difficulty while holding onto the hope of the good that lies ahead—embracing both the challenges and the blessings they bring.
“The right path in life isn’t determined by whether it’s easy or hard. Every journey has its ups and downs. What matters is pursuing what you feel God has called you to do, regardless of whether it comes easy or hard.”
We often quit things that are difficult because we assume that if something doesn’t come naturally to us, it must not be for us. But the truth is, everyone starts as a beginner, even the most successful people you admire. They didn’t start off at the level they’re at now. I’ve come to embrace the idea that the right path in life isn’t determined by whether it’s easy or hard. Every journey has its ups and downs. What matters is pursuing what you feel God has called you to do, regardless of whether it comes easy or hard. I really believe God intended us to step into the hard and cherish the good -scripture is the best place to find how to do that, so that’s what I did.
