The Power of Embracing New Challenges

Embrace Challenges to Expand Your Influence

 
 
The path to personal growth is often paved with challenges that lie outside of our comfort zones. When we are presented with such opportunities, it is essential to embrace challenges with open arms, as they can lead to greater influence, impact, and fulfillment.
 
About seven years ago, I received an invitation to speak at a pediatricians’ convention in the Philippines. I accepted it without much thought, but upon arriving in Cebu I realized my folly. It became apparent that outside the organizing committee, everyone assumed I was a doctor. And when they realized I wasn’t, their body language showed their skepticism about my credibility.
 
Panic set in, and I spent the night praying instead of sleeping. I comforted myself in this promise:

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT

When the day of my talk arrived, I noticed other speakers carried books to the platform to quote from. I had no books, only my experience working with families dealing with bullying and cyberbullying. So, I decided to focus on the families’ confusion about where to seek help for their children – pediatricians or psychiatrists – a gray area at that time.
 

 
My approach resonated with the audience, and the talk was well accepted. By highlighting a real-world dilemma and spoke with confidence from experience, I overcame their skepticism. This experience significantly boosted my confidence in public speaking.
 
This taught me that embracing challenges often leads to greater influence and impact. It’s like God presents us with opportunities to expand our territories by pushing us beyond our familiar boundaries.
 
Stepping outside our comfort zone can be intimidating, filled with fear and self-doubt. But we have a choice: chicken out or rise to the challenge. If you want to grow, I encourage you to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie outside your comfort zone. It won’t be easy, but the rewards are worth the effort.