5,4,and 2

5,4,and 2

Friday, October 10, 2014

What does it mean to wrestle through struggling?

Sorry I have not blogged in a while, life has kept me busy.  I have gone back to school and just finished up my first two classes back so I thought now would be a good time to write a little.  I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want to share (believe me there is a lot).  One thing that stands out the most are my thoughts on struggling, is it a sin, is it necessary, and what if any good could come from it. 

First, is struggling a sin?  When I ask this question I try to think of what went on inside of Jesus' head.  Did Jesus struggle?  We know He was tempted, but is temptation the same as struggling?  Honestly I am still on the fence on this one, but what I do know is it would be amazing to have Jesus' neurological system without a mental illness.  The very definition of struggling is "to make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction."  That sounds amazing to me, to make violent efforts to get free.

Is it necessary to struggle is the next question I have been asking myself a lot lately.  This may seem like a silly question to some on both sides of the question.  No it should not be necessary to struggle some might say, but I would agree with the other side that would say it absolutely is necessary to struggle.  If you are not struggling you are not learning and growing for starters.  In Genesis 32 the Bible talks about how Jacob wrestles with God.  In the midst of Jacob's struggle He demanded for a blessing.  Which leads to the final question.

What good could possibly come from suffering?  Have you ever thought of it in the sense that a blessing could follow our suffering?  Sure I have thought about God teaching me something or making me stronger in an area, but never really thought of the blessings that follow.  Looking back on my life now I can see where after struggles God has richly blessed me.  

One of my most recent struggles that I have been open about has been my eating disorder.  Since sharing with a few people God has blessed me with the greatest of friends.  While they may not always understand me they are always there to help me fight.  I am not alone in this struggle.  I think when you open yourself up to be vulnerable about your struggles God will see that and bless you.  I recognize that struggling is not easy, but we all face them.  I wonder what would happen if we all got a little more real when it comes to our struggles, if they wouldn't hold so much power over us.  Just my thoughts.
 

As water reflects the face,
so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19  HCSB