We All Got Struggles!
Today had been a rather interesting one. Nothing too special happened, but God has really been working in the events of today. He is stretching me, growing me, molding me... and it hurts! I have had conversations with about three people today, venting conversations, and that's when this blog post came to mind.
There is no doubt that we struggle in our lives. Small ones, big ones, emotional ones, spiritual ones, relational ones, situational ones.. struggles are everywhere.
But why?
Aren't we as Christians supposed to have this abundant joy filled life? ABSOLUTELY! But that doesn't mean we don't struggle!!
God told us in His word that we would have trials and tribulations, and in fact He is the one who puts them in our lives. But He uses everything! There is a reason for everything... I shudder when I hear that phrase. People say it all the time to try and console or comfort someone who is dealing with something hard. But it really is true! God does use everything, and uses it for Him. He has a plan for the struggles in my life... and they seem to just a keep on coming let me tell you! He uses this issue with this person to teach me this. He uses this issue with my self esteem to teach me this. He uses everything. And if you don't learn it, you better believe He is going to keep giving you more struggles!
So what about that whole joy thing then? How can you be joyful when you are stressed out, upset, heartbroken, etc. Well, here is one of my struggle lessons I've been taught over and over and am just now starting to get. Where do I get my joy from? Who is my joy in? Myself? My situation? My friends/family? Yeah that's not gonna work. The only way to have true joy is to have it in Jesus Christ. Ok, so I have joy in Jesus... why? and how does that help me when I'm crying over my struggle? Well we have joy in Jesus because of the ultimate sacrifice He gave for us. That love can never be topped or changed. I don't know about you but that gives me joy!!! AND THEN (that's not all folks!) once He saved us, He promises to never leave us, To help us and go with us through (you guessed it) our struggles!! So the joy is in not having to deal with any of this alone! We have joy because we have a God who loves us and takes care of us! And if you need proof, look back on all the "stuff" you've already been brought through!
I'm not saying that you have to be happy when you feel sad. No, be sad, be upset. I think that's ok, because you are supposed to feel those feelings. But remember they are just feelings, and cannot streal your joy. We need to be better about sharing our struggles and burdens with each other, too. I had a talk with a sweet friend tonight and she was venting to me about some things, and I had no idea. The same thing happened last weekend with another friend. All these issues and struggles and I had no idea, because we try to handle things on our own.
I teach the preschoolers Sunday school class, and I've already learned from it. I learned the very first week that God gives us our friends. Its not chance or accident or anything like that, God has picked certain people to be in our lives and to be our friends, and its for a reason! We are to bear one another's burdens!
SOOOOO having said all of that... yeah I struggle ( a lot) and I"m sure you do, too. So lets be there for each other, encourage each other, and give our struggles over to the only One who has complete control.
-Candi
There is no doubt that we struggle in our lives. Small ones, big ones, emotional ones, spiritual ones, relational ones, situational ones.. struggles are everywhere.
But why?
Aren't we as Christians supposed to have this abundant joy filled life? ABSOLUTELY! But that doesn't mean we don't struggle!!
God told us in His word that we would have trials and tribulations, and in fact He is the one who puts them in our lives. But He uses everything! There is a reason for everything... I shudder when I hear that phrase. People say it all the time to try and console or comfort someone who is dealing with something hard. But it really is true! God does use everything, and uses it for Him. He has a plan for the struggles in my life... and they seem to just a keep on coming let me tell you! He uses this issue with this person to teach me this. He uses this issue with my self esteem to teach me this. He uses everything. And if you don't learn it, you better believe He is going to keep giving you more struggles!
So what about that whole joy thing then? How can you be joyful when you are stressed out, upset, heartbroken, etc. Well, here is one of my struggle lessons I've been taught over and over and am just now starting to get. Where do I get my joy from? Who is my joy in? Myself? My situation? My friends/family? Yeah that's not gonna work. The only way to have true joy is to have it in Jesus Christ. Ok, so I have joy in Jesus... why? and how does that help me when I'm crying over my struggle? Well we have joy in Jesus because of the ultimate sacrifice He gave for us. That love can never be topped or changed. I don't know about you but that gives me joy!!! AND THEN (that's not all folks!) once He saved us, He promises to never leave us, To help us and go with us through (you guessed it) our struggles!! So the joy is in not having to deal with any of this alone! We have joy because we have a God who loves us and takes care of us! And if you need proof, look back on all the "stuff" you've already been brought through!
I'm not saying that you have to be happy when you feel sad. No, be sad, be upset. I think that's ok, because you are supposed to feel those feelings. But remember they are just feelings, and cannot streal your joy. We need to be better about sharing our struggles and burdens with each other, too. I had a talk with a sweet friend tonight and she was venting to me about some things, and I had no idea. The same thing happened last weekend with another friend. All these issues and struggles and I had no idea, because we try to handle things on our own.
I teach the preschoolers Sunday school class, and I've already learned from it. I learned the very first week that God gives us our friends. Its not chance or accident or anything like that, God has picked certain people to be in our lives and to be our friends, and its for a reason! We are to bear one another's burdens!
SOOOOO having said all of that... yeah I struggle ( a lot) and I"m sure you do, too. So lets be there for each other, encourage each other, and give our struggles over to the only One who has complete control.
-Candi
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