We all have them, struggles, that is. Maybe you tend to cower in fear of them as a knee-jerk reaction. Or do you hunker down for a bit and bring it before God and get a feel for where and what this looks like for your life?
How long do you take to decide which way you will go mentally; that is if that struggle affects your life – detrimental or not?
Going deeper
What constitutes a struggle?
Great question, right?
According to a simple google search, lots of “definitions” are given. Although I’m not here to go into “these” definitions, instead I’m just saying that struggle is different for everyone.
Each one of us approaches this topic as differently as we are people. Now and then God puts people on our path who have a similar approach and that struggle isn’t so intense.
A personal spin on struggles:
Recently, as in the last handful of years, I knew I’d been going through a lot and lived in a perpetual state of overwhelm. I had bought a cultural lie about “struggle is normal these days, accept it” and so I felt defeated; which led to a dark and windy path. But God…
Even though I declare myself as a Christian, and I spend time with God and in His Word, it takes time for the words to “sink in” deep enough to apply them.
Know what I mean?
In Jeremiah 1:19, “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.”, even though the context of “they” are people, my perspective shifted somewhat as I referred to the “they” as lies, fears, and struggles…
Imma leave that right there for a second.
Many times lies, fears and struggles are associated with people. Although people generally don’t mean harm often we become offended and the relationship turns into contention.
Looking a few verses before Jeremiah 1:19, Jeremiah 1:17-18 says “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. is an invitation to step into the confidence you’ve been given.”
After reading that, how does that hit your heart?
Giving yourself permission
What if you were to take a different look at “said” struggle (or the many that happen all together at times) and start to exercise a muscle you already have and face it instead?
How would that change things for you?
This is something I’ve had to do for myself…give myself permission to see things differently…by granting grace. By doing so, there’s less contention and more peace.
I’ve found this opens the door to forgiveness.
Do you make this a practice for yourself?
Doing so is a great service to yourself and an invitation to forgive yourself for the fear that has consumed you up until this point.
This is a beautiful starting point to allowing God to meet you where you are at.
I invite you to connect with me so I can come alongside you on this journey …it’s a process.
