Struggles

Trials and life

FYI (Throughout the post I will use trials and struggles interchangeably …so don’t be alarmed)

Life…… the word that comes to mind when I think about life is...TRIALS.  Oftentimes in this world struggle seems like our true companion. It follows us around, attached to our side whispering sweet nothings in our ears. It doesn’t show favoritism and comes in many forms often times catching us off guard. Overwhelming us and bringing us to our lowest point, consuming our hearts and controlling the whirlwind of emotions we experience. OH, how life was so simple when we were younger. The innocence we experienced all while not having a care in the world. To be honest I wish I could barricade myself in a closet hiding myself from the world. Struggle wasn’t something we were necessarily taught as we grew up. Some of us experienced struggle more than others. The idea of struggle was something that I believe most parents tried to cover up. They didn’t want us to encounter it or be exposed to it thinking it would lead to destruction. This has led to our downfall instead. We are opposed to struggle of any kind and attach negative characteristics to it, though struggling and trials help us to reap great benefits.

                Struggling (trials) should be looked at through the right lens. It’s not something that should be viewed as an idea designated for certain individuals. Each person will have to experience it in some fashion. The harm created with trying to shield the coming generations from struggle is that it has created of culture of FAKE PEOPLE. Look at any social media post and you will see the great strides many go to attempting to hide their lives and create a picture perfect reality. We have in a sense become the authors of our lives, controlling it an editing out the things we don’t want others to see.

However, there are two things promised in life. DEATH AND STRUGGLE. 

James 1 made it very clear the posture we should have when we face various trials. COUNT IT ALL JOY. The reason is because it produces something is us that would never come to completion without it. It creates perseverance. This is the ability to graciously make it through the storm without giving up. A change in our perspectives comes through looking at the bigger scheme of things the eternal picture. Giving up when faced with issues shouldn’t be in those who have already won the final battle. YESSSSS, times are tough and it does look as though we can’t find a way escape. However, we have been promised to overcome as we are reminded of Gods goodness in the midst of our most challenging times. Put down the façade and take off the mask because let’s be honest none of our lives are perfect. Be open with those close to you and receive the help offered by others to make it on the other side. We are not meant to face life alone it must be done in the presence of community. From now until the day we die it will be imperfect people helping imperfect people. You may be able to hide from others but in the private when no one is around we will still have to deal with the brokenness of our lives. You can’t run from reality so let’s deal with it straight on.