About 6 months ago, I was hanging out with a good friend. I was stressing out about the various complications, difficult decisions, and the struggles in my life. I expected some form of sympathy.

Instead I got: “Yeah, you didn’t choose an easy life.”

I tend to see challenges as adversity to grit my teeth through.  I’ve secretly got an agenda that involves a simple, enjoyable, comfortable life.   When that is challenged, I get frustrated, overwhelmed, full of self-pity, and start believing that God doesn’t want what’s best for me.

But what if He does? What if these aren’t heavy burdens to be weighed down by, but opportunities. Or better yet, blessings?

I desperately want to see my 4 year old son mature in wisdom, leadership, and Godliness. But right now, I can hardly trust him to pick up his toys. When I ask him to clean something up or share a toy with someone, it’s not because I want to crush him with challenges. It’s the exact opposite: I want to see him thrive, and task or challenge is an opportunity for him to grow in maturity, discipline, and selflessness. My heart’s desire is to see him become at what he was created to be, and a huge part of that involves an ability to take on responsibility.

Matthew 25:

The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man…I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.