As children, one of the greatest truths we should learn is that we are “not given” who we are and what we become, but we are made. Greatness is never handed out. Greatness never just appears one day.

The problem for many of us is that we want to go around the storm instead of trekking through the storm. However, God never promised to take us around the storm. Instead, His guarantee is to be with us IN the storm.

Why?

Because we will not find strength in comfortable situations. Strength is found in the grind, in the wilderness, in the tough moments. It’s this storm that builds courage, resilience, grit, and perseverance. We don’t develop those character qualities by going around the storm. Going through the storm makes all the difference.

Calvin Coolidge once said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent…”

…and by the way, this omnipotent persistence and determination that Coolidge spoke about is never, ever developed by avoiding the storms.

Challenge yourself today to choose one thing that will make you uncomfortable; one action that will push you into the storm where true character is forged.

If you need motivation and inspiration, check podcast episode 31, as 21-year veteran Navy SEAL JJ Parma inspires us to jump out of our comfort zones.