Overcoming Challenges

Have you ever heard a story that did not include challenges or problems? The main character always faces the unknown. He must walk paths without knowing the outcome of his journey. The life of an entrepreneur is the same. We walk an unknown path without knowing how our journey will end. We will face challenges undreamed of, but as we preserver we will overcome.

In our studies this week we learned about the important things that can help us overcome challenges that we will face. We did not discuss specific challenges, everyone's will be different. There are specific tools that can help in any situation with any challenge.

 Pray and have faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

“Pray always and be believing” (D&C 90:24.) Jeffrey R. Holland, in a 1999 Conference address said, “Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better…For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of ‘good things to come.’

        

 My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need… It is the very Son of God Himself.” (Holland, 1999, paragraph 2.) He also stated, “Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He know your fears. He hears your prayers.” (Holland, 1999, paragraph 8.) With faith in our Savior and asking God through prayer for His help, we will be able to overcome anything that makes us stumble or fall on our journey.

Perseverance

When challenges show up we may be tired and want to quit. We need to keep on moving, learning, and growing. “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead – a lot of it… You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and Believe in good things to come.” (Holland, 1999, paragraph 20.) At another time as president of BYU, Holland said: “When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling…it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.” (Jeffery R. Holland, However Long and Hard the Road, 1983, BYU Devotional, pg. 3)

Keep a sense of humor

Humor can help us in challenging times. Sometimes we need to step back and just laugh; laugh at ourselves, at the circumstances, but not at other people. Humor is a way to diffuse many situations. Laughter may not make our challenges leave, but we will have a better outlook.

Becoming

We need to remember that part of any journey is who we become through the process. When we face challenges, we will see aspects of who we are that were not visible in the easy part of our journey. “I would like to just shout at you to see in yourself what I see in you. The only limitations you have are those you set on yourselves…sometimes we cannot recognize the real purpose and significance of the moment which is ours to experience. That’s because too many of us learn only through our heads and not through our hearts!” (Patricia Holland, “However Long and Hard the Road, 1983, BYU Devotional, pg. 2)

Dreams and Visions

When times are hard one thing that can help us is the dreams of what we are working for. Many people design a “vision board” to help them focus and remember the things they are working for. This can be a strength when challenges show up on your path. “As you wage …wars, obviously part of the strength to ‘hang in there’ comes from some glimpse, however faint and fleecing, of what victory can be. It is as true now as when Solomon said it that ‘where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18). If your eyes are always on your shoelaces, if all you can see is…this disappointment or that dilemma, then it really is quite easy to throw in the towel and stop the fight. But what if it is the fight of your life?” (Jeffery R. Holland, However Long and Hard the Road, 1983, BYU Devotional, pg. 5)

These are just a few things we can turn to when challenges and problems arise on our journey, the journey to entrepreneurship and the journey of life.

Have Faith! Pray! Dream! Persevere! Laugh! Become!