beginning to wonder what the point is. This means if we
want true satisfaction, we have to rise above the pettiness of
our own desires and do what is required of us. A calling
comes when we embrace the pain, not avoid it.
Tragedies, unfortunately, are inevitable. Bad things
happen to good people, whether we want them to or not.
What determines our destiny, though, is not how successful
we are at dodging hardship but what we do when it comes.
Pain and suffering, though intimidating obstacles, are not
strong enough to keep us from our purpose. In fact, they
can sometimes be the very catalysts for such discoveries.
That’s the lesson Jody Noland learned from her friend
Larry and what she almost forgot when her own husband
was on his deathbed.
The Good Kind of Fear
Fear is a powerful deterrent, but it can also be an effective
motivator. The fear of failure or rejection can be unhealthy
and irrational, but fear of not telling your loved ones how
much you care is important. So not all fear is bad. Some
people, though, let fear run their lives. They avoid risk,
hoping to minimize the chances of failure, and in effect
move in the opposite direction of a calling. The trick is to
know when to listen to your fear and when to not.
In 2009, Mike Noland, Jody’s husband, was diagnosed