What is Your Struggle Saying To You?
Don’t Give Up: Let Hardship Speak Before You Respond
What makes you want to quit?
Is it a harsh word, a disapproving glance, a persistent struggle, or just plain exhaustion? Most of us can point to something—or someone—that drains our energy or chips away at our purpose.
You’re not alone. Every one of us encounters moments when continuing feels like too much.
In those moments, we often default to one of two responses: we collapse under the weight or try to push through with sheer force. But there’s a third way—one that invites us to pause and listen.
What if your hardship is speaking a message that needs interpretation?
Before you act—before you fight, flee, or fold—consider this: your struggle might be trying to tell you something. When we stop to interpret the meaning, we’re better able to respond with wisdom and faith.
Here are some questions to help you listen:
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Where is this hardship coming from?
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Is it simply the difficulty of the task itself?
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Is it internal—em
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Fan the Flame
You were uniquely and intentionally created by God. He imagined you and spoke you into being. He breathed His creative life into your mother’s womb, at a specific time, in a specific setting, with specific strengths, abilities and weaknesses. He has seen and overseen your circumstances and promises to bring good out of every situation. He will use hardship as discipline to teach you about Himself, His Kingdom and how life works.
As you love Him, look for Him and learn His ways, He will unlock His ancient paths which have been prepared for you. God has purposely planted you, and He wants to help you grow; it’s who He is and it’s who you are in Him. He also wants you to live by the power of His Holy Spirit.
Somehow, when we become believers in Christ we experience a kind of spiritual upgrade. God magnifies our abilities to perceive, experience and express the Kingdom of God. This spiritual expansion is often
accompanied by fillings of the Holy Spirit that impart particular giftings an...
Are You Baffled By Suffering?
Do you ever feel like you can’t catch a break – like people and circumstances are constantly raising their hands against you? This is part of what life is like sometimes. Life on earth is difficult. Sometimes, even for long periods of time, life can feel oppressive – and bring suffering. Understanding this reality can be helpful – everyone suffers, and everyone needs to learn to persevere.
Unfortunately, many people of faith are baffled when they hit difficult patches. They subtly or blatantly believe that their lives should be easier because they have faith in God. This is wrong theologically and unhelpful in practice.
Jesus’ life was difficult, and it grew more difficult as He continued in His faithful devotion to the Father. The apostle Paul’s life was also difficult. Yet, rather than being perplexed by his difficulties or feeling sorry for himself, Paul invited his spiritual son and apprentice to “join him in suffering like a good soldier in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3)Â
Perse...
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