People are often wrought by the deepest and most horrid pain imaginable. Those are often some of the most hardened, angry people, or some of the most beautiful people in the world.

Years ago, I worked as a phlebotomist drawing blood for tests at a local hospital. I viewed my work as ministry and always asked for God to give me skill and a gentle touch. My aim was to put the patient at ease. Once, I did a blood draw on my wife when she was in labor with one of our children, and she didn’t even know it happened. That was a win, and you can bet I was very grateful!

From time to time I would encounter cancer patients, and the tables were always turned on me. The greatest positive impact that happened in that room was the graciousness, kindness, and strength of that cancer-battling patient toward me. On display was an authenticity wrought in difficulty. It was an honor to be in the presence of such greatness.

Sometimes it is a life-altering jolt of that shifts perspective and willingness to pursue authenticity; loss of health, loss of a close family member or friend, divorce, major job loss. You get the idea. That jolt comes time and time again, changing you as you are fired in the crucible of life.

One of the reasons why difficulty brings positive change is that facing difficulty tends to slow us down and make us focus. There are lower priority time and energy thieves that are put to the side to allow for focused response to the challenge at hand.

Will you do that now? Sit still and in silence. Assess how you are spending your days, and determine what can go away, at least temporarily. How can this new-found time and energy space allow you to slow down a bit more as you journey to find the real you?

Don’t give up.

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Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

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