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September 1 Arrows of the Almighty Strength From the Struggle We often talk about gaining strength in order to face struggles, but the fact is that struggling is what gives strength. As a track man I learned that the struggling to break my own best record made me better. As I struggled with great exhaustion across the finish line in spite of my legs burning like fire I could run faster the next time. It was the running of the training races that made me stronger for the real competition. You have probably heard the saying, “No pain, no gain.” It is true when it comes to spirituality as well.
My father raised chickens when I was a boy and I learned a lot about struggle one day while watching the little chicks struggling to get out of their egg shells. Hatching was a struggle; in fact, they struggled so hard that I decided to help one and what a surprise. The one I helped break out of his shell was very weak compared to the others and did not live very long. It was an ignorant act of pity to help that chick break free; for because it did not have the struggle of its own birth it could not handle the struggles of daily living.
Many parents make the same mistake in parenting, when the parents spare the child the misfortunes and disappointments of childhood, protecting their children from difficult struggles, they deny their children the opportunity to develop the inner strength that is learned through those struggles.
So it is with our faith. Godly character always involves struggle, whereby a person becomes a strong disciple. It is only through struggles that a person becomes strong spiritually and emotionally. “Do not be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.” (Phil. 1:28-30)
Take heart in the struggle. It makes us stronger!
“We desire the easy pathway, Lord, a life without the struggle and suffering. Help us to realize that our faith is growing as we overcome our struggles. You are being honored in the process and we are becoming more and more like You. It is for Christ’s sake I pray, Amen.”
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