Pressing through: why we need stressors

One morning recently, a sense of joy—and even contentment—filled my spirit. Yet my circumstances hadn’t changed. My husband and I are still navigating #allthefeels accompanying a big move and transitioning to self-employment, working on a 20-year-old fixer-upper cabin and commuting an hour to the closest major services. The only difference I could pinpoint was regaining our health post-COVID. While I can’t think of anyone who enjoys suffering or trials, I’m reminded of Biosphere 2 in Arizona, where scientists discovered the wind’s role in a tree’s life. The trees inside the live-in terrarium grew rapidly, but they also collapsed before reaching maturation. Apparently, a lack of wind caused a deficiency of stress wood; without stress wood, a tree cannot support itself fully. It would make sense, then, that stressors in life help us grow. And to experience joy (and contentment), regardless of our circumstances. But it’s choosing not to give up—and to press through—that strengthens us.

In what areas must you choose to press through?

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash.