The Struggle is Real, Bro.

Well hello there.

There's really no cute introduction or funny story that ties into an analogy on this one. Sorry. You'll have to use your imagination and pretend I just wrapped up a totally hilarious tale about chasing frogs down a freeway or something.


But my post today is on suffering and trials. This is a subject that's been popping up everywhere lately, ever since June when my friend Kristi gave a lesson on it during the mission trip. I've been hearing wise words about hardships from all around. And sadly, I've been hearing about painful struggles from all around too. It seems like some of the people I love the most are coping with unimaginable pains. When it rains it pours.

Korey Hogan (this time I'm mentioning you for a legit reason..) once said that when God wants to teach us something it seems like He'll tell us multiple times, and it's interesting how many different people from different areas of my life have been talking about this.

So, here is a combobulation of what God has been showing me. Most of it has come from scripture, some of it's from personal time with God where I've screamed prayers up, some from what others have said. Different observations. Take what you need.

• James 1:2. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. "

I spent the entire month of July studying James, and it didn't hit me until a few weeks ago what various trials could mean. I always thought it meant various like "when your parents are going through a divorce OR when you best friend talks behind your back OR when you get kicked out of college"* Various emotional struggles. But then I realized, that struggles could mean any kind. Emotional, physical, AND spiritual.

Spiritual struggles always freak me out. If I am asking God for advice and I hear nothing, I assume I'm doing something wrong. I hate phases of doubt. I feel frustrated if I don't understand something in the Bible and sick if I pray for wisdom and don't receive any direction. Spiritual struggles are my least favorite kind.

But to apply the verse in James to spiritual struggles totally changed my view. "It is good, friends, when you meet spiritual trials. It's a chance for your faith to grow stronger, for you to gain perseverance. But don't get discouraged, no matter how long it takes, because this time of faith building is going to get your spiritual maturity to where it needs to be, so you don't go without faith in an area you're going to need it." (A.Diez Para)

My mom recently told me of some insight one of her brothers had shared with her. It's interesting, because we are told to let perseverance have its full effect, so we don't lack anything. So if you think about it, these trials we are facing- they are preparing us for something big. Something spiritually big. Maybe if God is allowing you to go through a physical, emotional, or spiritual hardship, it is because He has some really cool stuff up in store, that only a faith refined by fire can handle.

• For a while I've felt like I disappoint God when I struggle with things. I feel like He's up in heaven shaking His head like, "That little weakling. Why aren't you stronger!" Which is silly, but it's how I feel. As always, when we feel a way that contradicts scripture, it's a good idea to have a few verses that speak truth against the lie you're believing. Here are some for mine:

Isaiah 66:2 "I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, broken in sprit, and who trembles at My word."

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God."

1 Cor 12:9 "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I've started to realize, wanting to prove to God I'm strong enough, when in actuality I am barley hanging on, is a pride issue. I want to prove I am "worthy" of salvation**, because I can handle various trials without breaking down in front of Him. 1 Peter 5:6-7. Love it.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you."

• Connected with the above bullet, something I've been struggling with for a while is knowing how to talk to God during my sadness without whining to Him. There are all these books and prayer help guides that say to praise God before you ask for anything, don't ask for more than three things at a whack, and then send a thank you note when you're done. (that last one was sarcastic.) But in all seriousness, it's been a huge struggle for me. I used to think of God as my best friend, and somewhere in the midst of my legalism, He became a formal sponsor of my life who I could only share the positive things with.

I talked to the youth pastor at my church*** about how best to approach God with things that are hurting you, while still having a thankful heart for the things you have. He reminded me God is our Father, and dad's love listening to their kids. A genuine relationship with God doesn't come from a certain amount of time dedicated to praying this or that- it comes from talking to God.

Chris did mention that like any relationship, one where you are always simply talking about your problems is not going to be enjoyable for either party. He said sometimes he comes to God without asking for anything, just to praise Him. But it's not a rule book where you force yourself to only spend two minutes pouring your heart out to God when you've got two hours worth of stuff to say. If you did that with your earthly father it would be a surface relationship. And that's not the kind of relationship God wants to have with us.

• So I think this is the last bullet. It once again deals with weakness. Recently, during a rough night, there were only two people I wanted to talk to: God and Courtney Johnson.  Even though she only got one very short, very vague text, she sent this back:
  
  I will be praying a lot for you...Let me know if there's anything at all I can do for you. I don't want satan to get the victory in any way because of this. God is STRONGER!!

Just that little last sentence hit the mark. Totally changed how I viewed everything. It really put in perspective how so many times I feel like I'm defeated and struggling to hang on, when I should really be seeing myself as a victor. I am on the winning team. Even if I am weak, the Bible says in my weakness He is strong, so a weak victor is still a victor. Obviously God wins in the end****, but Satan is the king of lies, and if he can lie to us to make us feel like we're less than victorious, he's going to do that. One verse to wrap this up:

1 John 2:14 "I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have had victory over the evil one."



A. Diez.

*None of these have happened to me. I have great parents, awesome best friends, and am still chugging along through college. These are hypothetical examples.

 

**How sick and how prideful is that? Probably in the nearby future there will be a blog post about grace. Probably after my friend Michelle finishes that one book and lets me barrow it. ;) (Not like I'm rushing you or anything...)

 

***Chris, you seriously get mentioned in like every other post. This is ridiculous. It's either you or Ray Shular- who probably would have gotten mentioned if he hadn't been traveling around the United States for the past two weeks. (This is me being bitter and harboring jealous envy towards you, Ray. Bring me back a souvenir, like the Declaration of Independence or something. The original.)

 

****Spoiler Alert