Conflict: The Source of Growth

I just finished reading Donald Miller’s book “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.” Here are my notes:

There are three ways to see the great Incan city of Machu Picchu.

1)   You can take a train, a bus, and a one-mile hike.

2)   You can take a bus and then a 6 mile hike.

3)   You can hike as did the ancients, 4 days with elevations as high as 14,000 feet and steps as high as 2 feet that can last for miles.

People who choose the 4-day hike always have a greater appreciation for the city. The beauty is deeper, the history is richer, and the experience is geometrically more rewarding, albeit difficult. People who don’t avoid conflict always write a personal story of trials, tribulation, preparation, and hardship that ends with a well-deserved and much appreciated reward.

When something bad happens to you, you have two choices: you can either get bitter or get better.

Most of our lives are spent avoiding conflict. Half of all commercials are spent trying to sell comfort or some sort of product that makes life easier.

There is no conflict man can endure that will not produce a blessing.

Sometimes we wallow so deep in our misery that we never want to get well because then nobody will come around to rescue us anymore. Getting well means you have to control your happiness and its easier to control your misery.

When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can love them for who they are.

When you stop expecting material possessions to complete you, you can get greater pleasure from them.

When you stop expecting God to solve all your problems, you’ll enjoy His company and Spirit more.