I started this writing at first with the title I DO STRUGGLE but then thought no WE ALL STRUGGLE, even if you don’t want to admit it.
No matter how someone’s life looks on the outside everyone has something — financial, health, family dysfunction, depression, dissatisfaction with life, insecurity, unmet expectations relational conflicts.
Just what is a STRUGGLE–
• forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack
• make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.
Paul says in Ephesians:
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I once read a book, Spirit of Python, that compared Satan to a python. I have referenced this book before. The author compares Satan to a snake that wraps itself around you to choke the breath out of you, just like the definition of struggle. We are under the attack of Satan, and we are trying to get free from the restraint and constriction. He is choking the breath out of us.
Everyone in life has struggles no one is immune to battles of the flesh. Many times we struggle because we expect a lot out of ourselves, we expect a lot out of others. We try to do it all, or we try to be perfect. At times we question God and even ask is this really what I am to do? Is this my purpose? This mission is hard, stressful, and tiring.
We are trying to be perfect in an imperfect world, and we want to say yes when the best yes is a no.
It is when we are struggling, when we are tired, when we are obedient, when we are serving, that is when Satan digs his heels in and is the driving force behind the struggle. It is a wake-up call for Satan, and he is trying to constrict you and choke you from doing your purpose. He is the one that makes you question – Is this really what I’m supposed to be doing? There is nothing more than Satan loves than you questioning God.
When I am under attack, there are two different ways I feel. Two different ways my emotions sway.
I either feel that I am about to explode, or I feel like I am drowning. I’m not sure which is worse, or which is better neither one do I like.
It is the inner feeling of explosion is when you get to a point in your life where everything is moving in fast forward around you, and you can’t keep up. It is like you are running and running, you become weak and tired, you are out of breath, and you think to yourself, “I can’t do this anymore.” It seems that these seasons of life are when all the cars around you are moving full speed ahead and passing you. You want the world to stop.
Then there are those days that you feel the whole world is on top of you. You are walking into the water, and you are drowning. You are in way over your head.
Both of these situations have me questioning, “God is this really what you want me to do?”
Everyone in life has struggles no one is immune to battles of the flesh. Many times we struggle because we expect a lot out of ourselves, we expect a lot out of others. We try to do it all, or we try to be perfect. At times we question God and even ask is this really what I am to do? Is this my purpose? This mission is hard, stressful, and tiring.
We are trying to be perfect in an imperfect world, and we want to say yes when the best yes is a no.
God knows our struggles. We serve a God that is with us always, who knows pain and suffering, a God who brings purpose to the battle, we serve a God who is faithful.
There is only one remedy. When your feet hit the floor every morning, PRAISE GOD.
I love the song Highlands by Hillsong, which is a SONG OF ASCENT. The Songs of Ascent are a select group of Psalms comprising Psalms 120-134. They are called pilgrim songs because it was when the Jews traveled uphill to Jerusalem. They traveled three times a year long distances for festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16) In the bible these songs were sung wherever they would find themselves, in the valley in the shadows, they are committed to acknowledging God even when faced with the most dreaded of circumstances. Each song of ascent offers much encouragement for those who seek to worship God. The festivals were a time of joy when they meet with the Lord.
The Psalms recognizes the journey, sees God as our helper, speaks of joy, prayers for peace, recounts how God saved people, reminds us that apart from him we can do nothing, gives basic truths, victory over enemies, hope in God, peace and hope as we wait on the Lord, whenever there are strife and division it is not gods plan for us.
Hillsongs song of ascent explains to us that Gods mercies remain the same that we should keep our focus on God wherever we are, our faith shouldn’t waver.
Highlands (Song of Ascent)
Hillsong UNITED
O how high would I climb mountains
If the mountains were where You hide
O how far I’d scale the valleys
If You graced the other side
O how long have I chased rivers
From lowly seas to where they rise
Against the rush of grace descending
From the source of its supply
cause in the highlands and the heartache
You’re neither more or less inclined
I would search and stop at nothing
You’re just not that hard to find
I will praise You on the mountain
And I will praise You when the mountain’s in my way
You’re the summit where my feet are
So I will praise You in the valleys all the same
No less God within the shadows
No less faithful when the night leads me astray
You’re the heaven where my heart is
In the highlands and the heartache all the same
O how far beneath Your glory
Does Your kindness extend the path
From where Your feet rest on the sunrise
To where You sweep the sinner’s past
And O how fast would You come running
If just to shadow me through the night
Trace my steps through all my failure
And walk me out the other side
For who could dare ascend that mountain
That valleyed hill called Calvary
But for the One I call Good Shepherd
Who like a lamb was slain for me
I will praise You on the mountain
And I will praise You when the mountain’s in my way
You’re the summit where my feet are
So I will praise You in the valleys all the same
No less God within the shadows
No less faithful when the night leads me astray
You’re the heaven where my heart is
In the highlands and the heartache all the same
Whatever I walk through
Wherever I am
Your Name can move mountains
Wherever I stand
And if ever I walk through
The valley of death
I’ll sing through the shadows
My song of ascent
Whatever I walk through
Wherever I am
Your Name can move mountains
Wherever I stand
And if ever I walk through
The valley of death
I’ll sing through the shadows
My song of ascent
My song of ascent
My song of ascent
From the gravest of all valleys
Come the pastures we call grace
A mighty river flowing upwards
From a deep but empty grave
So I will praise You on the mountain
And I will praise You when the mountain’s in my way
You’re the summit where my feet are
So I will praise You in the valleys all the same
No less God within the shadows
No less faithful when the night leads me astray
You’re the heaven where my heart is
In the highlands and the heartache all the same
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:
- Keep your daily appointment with God
- Dive deep into His word
- Praise God no matter what struggle you encounter
- Fill your cup with Christ so you can fill other cups
EXTRA READS:
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