Are you struggling?
Maybe that’s a silly question because no one has a perfect life (and if you do, start writing that book and plan to retire). Perhaps you are walking through a difficult time in your marriage; in the process of a divorce. Maybe you’re questioning who you have become; the decisions you have made that have obligated you to live with the consequences, self inflicted pain.
Maybe today you feel like a failure. Maybe you’re that single girl who can’t seem to find a man to call your husband, the one to start a family. The girl whose biological clock is ticking faster with each day and you feel helpless.
Maybe you are currently, frantically looking for a job because the end of the month approaches and bills are due; you’ve applied but no one is calling, leaving you feeling defeated.
Maybe you seem to have it all with no apparent needs; from the outside in you have it all together but truth is, you feel alone in a life full of people.
Maybe you’re facing an unexpected medical diagnosis and struggling with accepting and processing what you’ve heard and you’re feeling terrified of the unknown future.
Whatever your struggle is today, know that you are not a failure, helpless, defeated or alone; don't be afraid of your struggle.
By definition the world struggle means ‘(verb) to use great efforts; to labor hard; to strive; to contend forcibly.’ As I read this definition, ‘to contend forcibly’ popped out at me. So, I looked up the word contend and it means ‘struggle to surmount’ and to surmount means ‘to overcome; stand or be placed on top of.’ Pause. ‘To be placed on top of.’ WOW! The key here is to know that when we struggle, we need to be fighting hard in order ‘to be placed on top of’ (our struggle = circumstance). Fight tooth and nail for something, for someone, through something, for the WIN! You may be battered and bruised but not defeated. That’s right, NOT defeated!
Truth is, life isn’t limited to just good times, happy times or Instagram worthy moments. Life is also composed of all kinds of struggles and its those struggles God uses to teach us how to fight. Be reminded that when we struggle, we are contending; we are struggling to surmount, to overcome! Yes, that’s right, we’re fighting for the WIN and you my friend, WILL win. Why? Because you have no other option - your life depends on it, remember?! Oh, and you know something else, you don’t have to fight this alone. That’s right, we have a God who in his word promises to fight for us. “The Lord himself will fight for you. You need only to stay calm” (Exodus 14:14). God who is greater than you and I, He that knows your struggles, He sees your heart, knows your fears and hears your silent pleas. It is He that reminds us today that in this world we will have trouble, but in the same breath tells us not to fear for He has overcome the world. And what vanishes fear? Perfect LOVE, His LOVE!
The question I propose to you is how are you fighting today? Have you positioned yourself to fight as though your life depended on it? I encourage you to put all your trust in God’s perfect love in order to be able to approach the reality of your struggles today without fear. Know and believe that HE is for you and not against you and as you walk through your particular struggles don’t forget that you’re in this for the win; and with his love and strength win you will, I KNOW it!