We don’t always know what we’re capable of until we’re put to the test. And we miss our potential when we don’t learn to accept the many challenges before us. We must be regularly pushed to our edge to discover the fullness of our strength.
A new military recruit, for example, hasn’t been put to the test yet and might fear he doesn’t have what it takes to complete his training.
And initially he doesn’t. As a recruit, he’s not a veteran and his potential has not yet been realized. But week after week he’s pushed and grows into the fullness of his strength. And as he completes his training, he has a newfound appreciation for just how much he can handle.
Graduate school is another example – a student being pushed semester after semester and discovering just how much can be done.
And we experience similar seasons of testing and growth throughout our life and relationships.
For instance, trying to maintain our sanity while balancing the demands of work and family life is quite the challenge.
We’re pushed to our limits with less time, sleep, and money and ever-increasing demands and responsibilities. And initially it feels like we’re failing on every front.
But as we keep showing up and digging deeper, in time we discover just how much we’re capable of handling.
And it’s not that the challenge becomes easier. Many days we’re still depleted as we’re taken to our edge. But the testing expands our capacity and we learn how to accomplish much more than we originally thought possible.
But we have to show up and engage. We sell ourselves far too short when we don’t even accept the challenge.
Courageously accept the many challenges before you and discover the fullness of your strength and just how much can be done.
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