By Chris WittsFriday 5 Jul 2024Morning Devotions with Chris WittsFaithReading Time: 1 minute
Subscribe to Morning Devotions podcast
Transcript:
Unemployment, poor health or a financial crisis can and does strike ordinary people at an alarming rate. And every day we hear about this in the news and in the media. Generally, this is what I call part of the struggle of life. We all have struggles of one kind or another, some not quite so serious. Some of us had to wrestle this morning to get out of bed. For others we wonder each morning what we’re going to wear, but some of us struggle with fear of failure or what is right or wrong.
And it’s especially hard if we live on our own with no one to talk to. We may even feel that our life is out of control. We’re powerless to affect whatever may happen next. Often, when someone is struggling, they start to believe they don’t have what it takes to change their life. And you can often begin to feel like you’re hopeless, which is really a dangerous mentality to have.
Enduring the struggles of life
Don’t withdraw in tough times. You might be inclined to retreat into your shell when you’re facing challenges in your life, and you may fear being a burden to your friends and loved ones, or you feel just too exhausted to reach out. But try to keep up with social activities, even if you don’t feel like it.
Many people fear that when they talk to someone else about their own problems, that they’ll be perceived as weak. However, talking to close friends or family members about what is going on will help you feel much better. Good friends won’t consider you a burden. They’re more likely to feel flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them. Christians have a powerful sense of strength and hope, a real and vital faith in God. When we trust in God’s promises, we can find comfort and courage even during time of adversity, because we know that God is with us. He will carry us through whatever comes our way.
He can give us the strength to face any challenge with confidence, and that sounds like good news to me. Remember this. If struggles did not exist, we wouldn’t know success. And although things may feel like the end of the world, it’s important to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. In the Bible, we find numerous examples of people who relied on God during difficult times, and they found the strength to persevere. One such example is found in Isaiah 41 Verse 10, and God answers with this statement. Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When you think about it, that verse reminds us that God is always by our side, ready to strengthen and comfort in the knowledge that we’re never alone in our struggles, for God promises to walk beside us through whatever trial and tribulation we face. So when life throws challenges our way, instead of giving into fear or despair, let’s hold fast to our faith and trust in God that he will always be there to guide and sustain us. With his help, we can overcome any obstacle and emerge stronger on the other side. Steve Jobs, the founder of the Apple Corporation, died aged 56 in 2011, and he had struggled with questions of his own mortality. And if you read the book Steve Jobs by Walter Jacobson, you will find some of these facts. Steve Jobs was a self proclaimed Buddhist, and he began questioning the meaning of life and God in the past few months before his death. And the author says this – “I remember sitting in his backyard in the garden one day and he started talking about God. Sometimes, he said. I believe in God. Sometimes I don’t. I think it’s 5050. But ever since I’ve had cancer, I’ve been thinking about it more, and I find myself believing a bit more. I kind of, well, maybe it’s because I want to believe in the afterlife, that when you die, it doesn’t just all disappear. I think they’re powerful words from Steve Jobs. Perhaps we need today to stop and consider the struggle within myself. It was the Olympian gold medallist Jesse Owens, who said the battles that count are not the ones for the gold medals. The struggles with yourself, the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us. That’s where it’s at, he said.
On our own, we could never overcome our problems, but with the presence of God in our lives, we have the hope and faith we need to move forward. We’re sustained by his grace. And by keeping our eyes on Jesus, life is worthwhile even in the most difficult struggles.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, it’s a reality that we’re going to struggle sometimes, and some of us struggle more than others. I pray that you’ll help us to let go and let God come into our life. Amen.