Challenge Accepted

 My sons and I often push each other in workouts with the little phrase, "Challenge accepted." What we mean is no matter how difficult, demanding, or downright unpleasant the task is we embrace it. We do not shy away from it. We refuse to back down. We man up and overcome. 

Take that same mentality into life. We face numerous challenges. People around us face difficulties. Just this week I have dealt with numerous people who had surgeries, people facing impossible odds, heartaches, those facing financial setbacks, heavy ladened people, and those worn down by the trials of life. 

Whatever challenges are thrown at us we have a choice. We can embrace the challenge, pray, trudge, work, claim scripture, persevere, and eventually overcome or we can whine, doubt, curl up in the fetal position, quit and be overcome. The choice is ours. I am sad to admit many times I have chosen the latter attitude. 

I find strength and inspiration in Jesus. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
¹  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
²  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus and contemplate the way He embraced the challenge of the cross, it will help us not grow weary and lose heart. To not lose courage. To not give up and quit. 

Jesus joyfully accepted the challenge of the cross. Not just the physical suffering. The spiritual and emotional torment of taking the sin of the world on Himself and the Father turning away in that crucial moment. Jesus endured. He stayed the redemptive course until He finished the work God gave Him to do. He found joy in obedience to the Father's will and completion of the assignment. Can we not do the same with divine help. 

If Jesus joyfully accepted the challenge of the cross and all the suffering that went along with that, why should we think we would live a trouble-free challenge free life. Challenges are part of the human existence. We can embrace them, overcome them, learn from them, and be strengthened by them, or we can try to avoid them, be defeated by them, overwhelmed by them, and resent them. Either way we are still going to face challenges. 

Jesus' example should help all of us to press on and press through trials. To overcome. To persevere. To champion our challenges through Jesus who strengthens us. Sometimes you have to get your mind right to endure hard times. Winning the battle of the mind is halfway to victory. May we not shun the challenges God intends for us, but rather accept them and learn from them.