On a morning run at Lake Junaluska several years go I saw a bald eagle flying over the lake, dive-bombing a small goose desperately trying to get to safety. I don’t know that I had ever encountered our national emblem in the wild before that day. It was certainly a sight to see. The only thing more impressive was the tenacity of this little goose to simply survive the day. He struggled each time the eagle dove and, lucky for him, he struggled one more time than the eagle chose to swoop, then simply swam away to the shoreline. I would imagine that was a stressful experience for the little goose. However, I also would imagine he was thankful he continued to struggle rather than surrender. The outcome would have been quite different. What about you? What are you struggling with in this season? Perhaps you should be grateful you are?
Anytime you hear about struggle it always seems to have a negative connotation as if struggle is a sign of defeat. “They are really struggling.” “Keep him in prayer, he is really struggling.” “She has really been struggling at work.” All of these sound negative don’t they? Although I completely understand the statements and the context they are supposed to imply, I generally see it in a different light. Struggle is the opportunity to not be overcome. So why do we give people such a hard time for struggling? (Click here to read my post, “Nobody Knows What They Are Doing”)
Hop On The Struggle Bus
My wife is a fitness instructor. I have watched her train her body and her mind to be able to endure long workouts and taxing physical exertions while smiling and telling other people how well they are doing. I’ve seen her struggle with the weights. I’ve watched her struggle to nail the choreography. I’ve heard her struggle with the audio tracks she’ll be using for a specific class. The truth is, the reason she is good at what she does (and she is VERY good) is BECAUSE of the struggle, not in spite of it. It’s the struggle that builds the muscle. It’s the struggle that trains the mind and it’s the struggle that ultimately puts it all together in lock-step. Without the struggle she would not have anything to offer anyone else. The truth is, neither do you. (Click here to hear my wife talk about this on my podcast The Best View In Town with Nathan Wesley Smith & Friends)
I’m not much of a fisherman but I’ve been fishing enough to watch the fish come out of the water on the hook, get placed in the boat, flop around and land back in the water. I’ve watched other fish just lay there and die quietly. One struggled. The others did not. Guess which one didn’t get eaten that night? Are you starting to see my point? Too often we paint struggle as the problem, when in reality, if you’re struggling, that means you’re still in the game! It’s only when you lay down and quit that there’s a fatal flaw. I would challenge you to be thankful for the struggle. If you’re still struggling, then you’re not dead yet!
Mike Pilavachi, pastor of Soul Survivor in Watford, England, says, “God can use a failure, He just can’t use a quitter.” The next time you hear about someone who is “struggling to find a job” or is “struggling to beat an addiction” just encourage them to continually give it to Jesus and just keep struggling. It is possible, and even probable to struggle your way right to victory if you don’t give up and determine to keep your hope in The Lord. This Thanksgiving, be thankful for all your blessings, but be thankful for the struggles you face as well. The struggle may be real, but keep struggling and trust God to help you become who you could be. (Click here to read my post, “No Breakthrough Without a Breaking”)
From the Bible
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13