Are you a hard worker? Maybe even a strong person? Then perhaps you have entertained this question, “God, why didn’t you give me a different struggle?” “One where I could demonstrate my God-given abilities.”
Once I voiced this to a friend, and as soon as the words came out, I wished I could take it back. My words were filled with such pride and ignorance for those walking the battle I mentioned. At that particular moment, I was stuck wishing for a different struggle and thinking it would be easier for me.
Now, fourteen years into a struggle which I thought was way beyond my skill set – full of pain, frustration, fear, and tons of waiting. I see why God allowed such a battle in my life. If he had given me something I was good at – I would never have needed Him.
My struggle knocked me off my pedestal to a place of utter dependence on God. In my weakness, I found Him in a way I never dreamed possible.#neveralone #mareedee Click To Tweet
He has taken me to places I would never have ventured nor chosen – arenas, where I feel incompetent, fearful, and where the pain of others is sometimes intense. But when I stand there in those places I know without a doubt, I AM NOT ALONE.
Yes, we can leave the places where we feel safe in serving to the places God call us. He will equip us. However, it will require us to trust HIM in the struggle, not ourselves. #trust #mareedee Click To Tweet
We can use our pain and struggles to help others see – they are not alone.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Have you allowed God to use your struggles to help others?
Of course, we won’t always like or understand the pain allowed. Not for one minute would I wish the pain of mental illness my loved ones endure on anyone. But we can know without a doubt God will be with us. He knows what he is doing. And in the struggle, He will transform us, change us, and make us into who He designed us to be.
How about you do you ever wish for a different struggle?
Last week Carlie Lake wrote an excellent post expressing how God will help us in the middle of our struggles. She was honest in saying, “But sometimes, I wish my fire was different. I wish I could choose my struggles.” Oh, how that resonated with me and it might with you too.
Carlie writes in a vulnerable, honest way over at “From Dust Towards The Heavens.” I hope you will click over and read our featured post for today.
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“Looking to God for Help in the Fiery Middle”
By Carlie Lake
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You are so right! My struggle broke my heart and taught me to love unconditionally. I would never have loved like that without the struggle!
I know exactly what you mean. I didn’t have a clue what unconditional love was until my struggle. Blessings, Maree
Thank you Maree 😀
Thank you for stopping by. Maree
This is so timely Maree! I was just thinking this morning during my prayer & devotion time how this present struggle of chronic pain & health conditions have challenged everything within me before God…
But I am grateful for this precious time with Him & for the ministry of blogging, something I would not have had time to do if I was still working…
Bless you,
Jennifer
I too am glad you are able to blog. You bless me with your posts. I am sorry for your pain. I am lifting you up in prayer right now. Blessings, Maree
I have had lots of wishes and prayers about struggles over the years. But I know His plan is always best – even if I don’t understand it. laurensparks.net
It is kind of a relief to know someone else is in charge and knows what is best. I agree we don’t have to understand it. Maree
This verse Isaiah 41:10 was the premise of my devotional on beloved woman today https://www.belovedwomen.org/gods-right-hand/
I’ve never wished for a different struggle because struggle is struggle and its not something I wish for. However I have seen how God uses any struggle I go through to strengthen me and make me more like Him.
I am going to have to head over there tomorrow and read it. I can’t keep my eyes open anymore tonight. Thank you for sharing your post.
Blessings,
Maree
I love how God welcomes us with all our questions, our fears, our worries. His arms are open wide … and I am so grateful …
Linda – Your gratefulness is contagious. Sitting her feeling blessed. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Maree
In Pilgrim’s Regress, C. S. Lewis takes the protagonist and his companion through different batttles. One faces the fire dragon , the other the ice dragon because their needs are different. Your post reminded me of that picture. God knows what we need. Where we are strong, the trials are not so daunting. I think the life of Abraham shows that so well. He didn’t start off offering Isaac. He let go of his home, his nephew, and Ishmael first.
I love learning about Abraham. You are so right he let go of so many things first before Isaac. I tend to focus on Isaac. But of course, God had to prepare him for this act of obedience. Maree
Thank you, Maree! Your words are always such a blessing! So grateful for a God who knows just what we need.
Thank you for your beautiful words. I loved your post. Maree
Your post reminds me of this quote from Anne Lamott: “I’ve heard it said that the Holy Spirit very rarely respects one’s comfort zones.” Very often the struggle IS the path we are supposed to be on.
I love this quote. Thank you for including it. Maree
Yes, Maree – this is familiar. I try to remember to trust that God has ordained my particular struggles for my particular chiseling.
What an excellent way to think about it your circumstances. I like it. Maree