Struggles

by Pastor Holly Johnson

We all struggle. Everyone I know has, at some point in their life, struggled with some issue. It might be finances, marital, addictions, or maybe a combination of all of them.

Pastor Holly Johnson, the Senior Pastor at Christian Outreach Church in Morganton, N.C. (also the home of Amazing Grace Radio) was preaching on struggles a few weeks ago. She spoke of how most good things in life arrive by way of a struggle.

But that’s not what today’s world wants to hear. We live in a world that wants everything and we want it easy, without a struggle, without despair, without inconveniences.

But regardless, struggles will come. Why does the Lord allow us to struggle? Pastor Holly listed several reasons why we are left to struggle. Those included:

*We need to learn how to fight

*Giants distinguish the difference between those who simply profess and those who possess. It’s one thing to confess the promises of God, but it’s something else to stand toe to toe with your sword in your hand and possess those promises. It’s easy to say God heals when you’re not sick or say how God provides everything I need when we’re not facing financial difficulties.

*He let’s the Giants remain so we get stronger in the word of God. So many times, when trouble comes, we turn to the word of God.

*The Giants remain to remind us of the excesses and the unnecessary things in our lives. Wealth and material possessions will never bring us happiness without the Lord in our life.

*The Giants remain to produce thankfulness. Sometimes tribulation will make us appreciate what we have.

*The Giants test our level of commitment. Will you praise Him in the good AND bad times?

*The struggle qualifies you for the reward. Facing our giants can bring great rewards, just as David faced and defeated Goliath. Faith is forged in the furnace of adversity.

Your struggles are bringing you to a greater place so you can better comfort others. Your struggle is an instrument of transition. It means you’re going somewhere.

If you’re struggling, be encouraged. Fix your eyes on what is unseen. Your struggle is building your foundation on eternity.

It is not easy. Often times you’ll want to give up, but we must persevere. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the victor’s crown, the life God has promised to those who love Him.”