Risk and Opportunity in Our Work Lives

Most of us encounter both risk and opportunity in our work lives – and sometimes a great deal of both. How we understand and respond to these can make a big difference in our work lives and in how we live.

This was true for Abraham many thousands of years ago when he willingly faced great risk, responded to a great opportunity, and did so in the belief that he was being called by God.

We need to look squarely at the reality of risk. It is present to some degree in each of our lives and attempting to deny it is likely to lead to a painful and unexpected awakening in the future. On the other hand, we also need to be alert to opportunity and not be dominated by our fears.

There are risks that would be quite foolish to accept, of course, but there are also risks that are necessary for growth, personal and otherwise. The challenge is to distinguish between these two types and make well thought out decisions, fully cognizant of both the risks and the opportunities. 

While our faith does not always give as much guidance regarding which specific risks we should avoid and which specific opportunities we should pursue, it can still play a very important role. It can help keep us stay clearheaded and grounded, and to keep the risks and opportunities in proper perspective. Our faith and spiritual practices can also help us to move forward with more courage once we have made a decision.