We’re going to have struggles in this life. That’s not negotiable. Jesus said, “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” (John 16:33)
We can have peace in the struggle, not because of who we are and what we can do, not because of our own strength and coping strategies, but because of who Jesus is. We have peace because God provides peace. We have perseverance because God provides it. We survive because of God’s mercy. And we can even thrive because of God’s provision.
The struggle might not turn out the way we want, but we can end up closer to God through the process of the struggle, and that’s a better turnout than anything we can even imagine.
We need to set aside our own expectations and trust God to exceed what we can imagine. We don’t measure his results against our ideal, because his ideal becomes our drive. His will eclipses our need for understanding. We’re able to declare, “This is not what I expected, and I certainly don’t understand all the pieces, but I’m trusting God, and being closer to him trumps any other benefit I can imagine.”
What’s your struggle of the day?
What’s the struggle of this season of life?
What’s the struggle of your life?
Most important, are you seeking God through the struggle? Are you trusting God through the struggle? While you might not understand the specifics, you can draw close to God despite the lack of understanding. At the end of the journey…and every step along the way…you can say, “I’m not sure of a lot of things, but I know I’m closer to God. And knowing him is better than anything I can imagine.”
A close relationship with God trumps understanding of worldly situations.
Seek. Trust. Follow.
Almost every time I her the word struggle I think of when Paul and Silas had been beaten, thrown into prison and even put in stocks for preaching the gospel. At midnight, midnight, not knowing whether daylight would bring life or death or more beatings, they sang praises. They sang hymns of praise and worshipped God! Oh if we could only have the faith of Paul and Silas and remember in our midnight hour when all hope seems to be fading that Our God Reigns! That He is Awesome in This Place! And How Great is our God!
Amen!
Having our own midnight right now in my family. Thank you for posting this. God knew just what I needed to hear.
I’m praying, Shauna!
Thank you Susan. Can’t discuss openly right now.
It’s okay. God knows all the details, and I trust him!
Thank you!
Bless you Susan. We are making headway in this situation, and I have realized what barriers I need to remove from my heart and mind in the process.