By Doug Strickel
I remember getting married and moving to Baton Rouge after college. Pam and I eventually got involved at the Chapel on the Campus Church. We joined a small group and met Neil, a small group leader. Neil was the director of Campus Crusade and was an awesome mentor. He also asked tough questions.
I specifically recall Neil asking me each time we would meet, “So Doug, what’s God doing in your life this week?”
I had never been asked a question like that before. I had a strong prayer life and was reading the Bible more consistently, but that question was tough. I was working ten-hour days, studying at night for the CPA exam, and trying to learn how to use a personal computer in my spare time. Where would I find an answer to that question in the busyness of my life?
I recall driving to Neil’s home several times on a Sunday night and asking Pam to help me. I needed her to tell me what God was doing so I could tell Neil. She told me I was on my own with that one.
I will give Neil credit. He heard some lame answers for a while, but he kept asking. I eventually started to see that following Jesus was more than isolated times in the day and select days in the week. My walk with Jesus started to encompass everything I did, and my perspective changed. I started to see God working in every aspect of my life.
I eventually had plenty of responses for Neil, but then he started changing the questions. The questions got harder, but I caught on to his plan. His questions were tough but had a purpose. Those tough questions were aimed at promoting my development and growth.
We won’t grow and develop while we rest in comfort. We grow when we are challenged. We develop when we experience hard things. Sometimes those challenging, hard things can be tough questions from others that care about us.
Who do you have in your life that is currently asking you those hard questions?
Who do you have in your life that you are asking those hard questions to for their growth?
Finally, what’s that hard question that you don’t want to be asked? The answer is something that you likely need to address but are avoiding it for some reason. Maybe it’s hard. Maybe it makes you feel uncomfortable. The uncertainty of someone else’s reaction may be the issue.
Regardless, there’s a reason you are avoiding it, and there is a more important reason that you need to address it. Don’t live with regret over avoiding the tough questions. In life, you won’t get everything you strive for, but you will get everything you settle for!
Don’t run from the tough questions!
Doug provides professional speaking and coaching services to organizations and individuals. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build a team culture, feel free to reach out to Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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