We once had to remove some trees on our property. One in particular was on our back porch, and although it was beautiful in its own right, it dropped no less than a million acorns, leaves, and bird-droppings year-round. It made it difficult for us to enjoy that space so my husband decided to remove the circle of bricks and surrounding concrete around the now-uprooted tree.
At first, he and the boys had quite a time swinging the sledge hammer like he-men destroying and conquering their opponent. But it soon became quite a workout– in fact, it became a real struggle.
Struggle isn’t a new word or a new idea. It’s been around awhile. I’m certain as soon as I said it, something (or some time in your life) came to mind.
I’ve discovered several definitions of struggle that will help us understand what’s happening spiritually in our lives when we face a challenge.
1. To contend with an adversary or opposing force
Much like the hard concrete around the former tree, life can feel like an opposing force at times. And why wouldn’t it? The Bible tells us we have an adversary who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). There’s not a day that goes by that we aren’t contending in some way or another with our adversary, the devil.
He loves to bombard our mind with opposing thoughts, or outright attack us through people and circumstances. But God’s Word repeatedly reminds us in both instances that in Christ, we are always the victor, not the victim.
“For the weapons of our warfare [how we contend with our adversary] are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We contend by swinging our spiritual sledge hammer against opposing thoughts with one simple word… no.
In other words, remind yourself these are not your thoughts and you refuse to entertain them.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Repeat after me: I never wrestle with people –only my enemy in disguise.
2. To contend or strive with a task or problem
It’s easy to get overwhelmed if we let ourselves go there. DON’T. Refuse that trap. Choose peace. Take the high road. Refuse to be defeated by a situation that will prove later to only be temporary.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts [from being broken] and minds [from being troubled] through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). I added the emphasis. The Holy Spirit helped me with that years ago.
God has promised to guard our hearts and minds with peace when we come to Him in faith, casting our burdens on Him.
3. To advance with violent effort
The visual of this definition can be felt. Like a woman in her ninth month of pregnancy walking up a steep hill, sometimes life itself feels heavy, burdensome, and hard to face. But don’t quit… continue on! Backward steps are unproductive and in all honesty, part of the enemy’s strategy to keep you in an exhausting holding pattern.
Jesus said, “And from the days of John the Baptist UNTIL NOW the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). The Amplified says, “the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize– a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].” You and I must keep the goal in front of us and be determined not to give any ground to the enemy.
Paul said it this way: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
In other words…
Keep pressing against your struggle because an inch of progress is still progress!
The good news is that the physical, exhausting struggle against concrete isn’t like the daily struggles we face every day because we have a Helper. The Bible says it is CHRIST IN US. “For our light affliction [or we could say, struggle], which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Don’t quit. Don’t let your heart or mind stay in the struggle. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). Whatever your biggest struggle is right now, I promise you are not facing it alone. The Greater One is with you. And He is carrying the weight of your struggle, so rest in Him today.
