How often does life not go as YOU planned it? Pretty often, I imagine. I know my life doesn't always go as I envisioned. Sometimes it is for the better, and sometimes it leads to a challenge. The challenging times are inevitable, so how should we interpret their meaning?

Going through a tough time gives you an opportunity to view your circumstances in the context of a few time perspectives to help you face forward: in the past, in the meantime, & in the future. When thinking about the future you can think about what you want your story to be. Your words, thoughts and actions are in your control, so you can help determine how you handle your meantime so that you have a positive story to tell in the future. Now is your opportunity to decide how you want your story to go once the challenge is in your past. Is your story one of embracing your challenge and dealing with it daily, or is it one of withdrawal nd denial of what's happening in your life?

If you have a few years on you, it's likely you've weathered previous challenges. It helps me to think back on how I came through those times, often in the most unexpected ways, to enter a new phase of joys and hurdles. I can appreciate them for what they are, although I'm glad to be past the former pains.

The diamond in the rough of most challenges is that they hold beautiful opportunities within them. Most of the time the setback in your life is a setup to prepare you for something in your future. Your experience can be growing you in a way you wouldn't otherwise grow, so that you can give of yourself in new ways. We are all here to serve in some way after all.

I encourage you to embrace your challenges and pains with a heart willing and open to learn for your future. It's hard and often hurts, but you can!