Challenges Are Universal – Responses Are Personal

Here's a story about a problem. The problem is a squirrel infestation. The community's churches tried to solve the problem.   

The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they should not interfere with God’s divine will. At the Baptist church, the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistry. The deacons met and decided to put a waterslide on the baptistry and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and, unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week. 

The Lutheran church decided that they could not harm any of God’s creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist church. Two weeks later, the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the waterslide. The Episcopalians tried a much more unique path by setting out pans of whiskey around their church to kill the squirrels with alcohol poisoning. They sadly learned how much damage a band of drunk squirrels can do. 

The Catholic church came up with a more creative strategy. They baptized all the squirrels and made them members of the church. Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter. Not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue. They took the first squirrel and circumcised it. They haven't seen a squirrel since.  

Let’s explore some options for the challenges we face every day. Like the squirrel story, there were many options, but one option solved the problem. At the end of reading the options, ask yourself: Which of these options describes me currently? Which can I change to improve my life?  

Challenge 1. It's called “Success Requires Replacement: Replace alcohol with water. Replace failing with learning. Replace overthinking with action. Replace blame with taking responsibility. Replace toxic friends with mentors. Replace complaining with gratitude. Replace Netflix marathons with sleep. Replace 'I can't' with ‘I can.’ Replace knowledge with wisdom.” 

Ask yourself, what replacements do I need to make now?  

Challenge 2. Author James Clear wrote this. "When you drink water from a cup, it becomes part of you. When water falls on you like rain, it evaporates a few minutes later. Similarly, thoughts can be consumed or dismissed. Is this thought nourishing? Is this feeling something you should drink? Or is it more like getting caught in the rain? You'll always feel the rain, but you don't have to drink in the rain. You can let the thought pass, and in a few moments, the sun will return. You don't have to claim everything you feel."  

This rain story is a strategy for not letting the 'word-war' outside of you get in you. Ask yourself: “Do I need replacement therapy for an upgrade?”  

Challenge 3. “One day, a billionaire was saying goodbye to his longtime secretary as she retired. Wanting to thank her for years of loyalty, he decided to give her a few million dollars, so she’d never have to worry about money again. To his surprise, the secretary shook her head and said, “I already have a few million dollars of my own.” Completely stunned, the billionaire replied, “But… how? You’ve only made about $ 5,000 a month. How could you possibly save that much?" 

She smiled and said, “All those years, I sat in on your meetings. When you were on the phone buying land or stocks, I quietly did the same — just on a smaller scale. I copied your moves. So, when you made millions, I made hundreds of thousands. And when you made billions, I made millions.” 

Would we have done what this lady did? Who you surround yourself with matters. Bees will always lead you to flowers. Got bees? 

Option 4. I wrote this on my Facebook. “Many times, in hard times, we don't need more cuddling, counseling, caressing, or another cute sermon. We need a challenge. We can't be an overcomer without something to overcome. Change happens in a time of crisis. The challenge may be a problem that needs solving, a besetting habit that needs breaking, forgiveness that needs to be given, a hurt that needs healing, or a character trait that needs upgrading. The way to grow in faith is to take a bigger step of faith. Faith is a fact, expressed in an act.” 

When God wanted to make David a king, He didn't give him a crown. God gave him a Goliath. Your challenges prepare you for your purpose. Every problem in your life is either a decision you made, a decision you’re avoiding, or a boundary you won’t set. 

Someone once said, 

“Life doesn't play favorites; life plays fair. Life operates on universal principles that differ from what most humans expect. The sun rises for the rich and poor alike, and the rain falls on both the strong and the weak. (Matthew 5:45) Some start with resources, others begin with struggles. But both have equal potential to win their race of life. People have gone from riches to rags, and from rags to riches — proving that wisdom, strategy, and adaptability matter more than starting capital. In other words, challenges are universal; responses are personal.  

"The difference in outcome is not in the fairness of life, but in how individuals use what they have, especially when resources are scarce. Complaining changes nothing; action changes everything. Success bows to preparation, persistence, and wise decisions. People worth emulating turn their strengths, whatever they are and wherever they are, into advantage.”

Never underestimate the power of you, being you, with God in you and all over you!