Love Matters

The Struggle Is Real

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress" Fredrick Douglas

In a court case, the evidence is presented to either uphold a case or to

dispute it. The only evidence allowed is that which is relevant to the case. The only evidence that is presented, is the evidence that is known. But as we have seen in many cases, there is some evidence that hasn’t been found or is inconclusive.

Such is the case in our life. You see, there is much that we don’t know concerning the reality of every circumstance and situation, relationship and reason, perspective and plan, destination and destiny. The variables are as unique and diverse as our understanding of them. We must seek something outside of ourselves to help. It is a struggle and there is nothing comical about it. But it is in the struggle, much like that of the chick emerging from an egg, that we find our answer.

When a chick is in the egg in its embryonic state, it is not in control of what is happening. It does not decide on its own to grow. It does not sense the pressure to perform, it just grows, because that’s what it was created to do. When its formation is complete and it’s time to leave the security, comfort, and warmth it has known for 21 days, it begins a process that is instinctive and necessary for its survival. The chick must endure a 3-step process to gain the strength needed to survive outside the security of what it has known during its growth.

First, internal pipping occurs; The small chick pierces the air cell which is provided inside the egg sack with its razor-sharp beak. As the decrease in the oxygen level causes its lungs to begin the process of respiration, it instinctively knows that oxygen is needed and this instinct starts an inborn impulse of survival. When this occurs the next phase begins, external pipping; The small chick begins to tap on the outer layer of the egg membrane otherwise known as the shell. This process begins the much-needed survival skill and enables the chick to develop its neck muscles by the process of using the pipping muscle. This motion is more effort than the chick has ever had to accomplish, so a much-needed rest is usually taken at this stage. The third stage is the hatching stage; While turning itself around in the shell, the chick begins to cut the shell with laser-like precision. Using its wings for direction and its legs for a driving force. As it turns, it cuts through ¾ of the shell with its tooth-like beak and begins to push itself out of the shell forcefully with its legs. If at any point the chick is helped during this process, it could possibly be detrimental to its survival. It is through the struggle that the chick gains the strength it needs to stand and survive outside the shell. This struggle builds the muscles needed to enter into the next phase of life.

So often, we want to escape the struggle. It is not pleasant nor is it pleasing to our flesh. We like an easy life, which ‘feels good’. But it is often in the struggle where we gain the strength to survive.

You see, unknowingly, we can create a detrimental delay to our success and hidden potential by having the mentality that a struggle-free life is our greatest achievement. If we look at many things in life there is usually a struggle to gain the strength needed to complete the goal. Childbirth, weight loss, building stamina to endure a race, are just a few examples in which a struggle brings the desired end we long to achieve. Rather than avoid the struggle, we should embrace the challenge and not FOCUS on the struggle itself, but rather FOCUS on the strength that will be gained from it. This is done by a change in our perspective.

In March 2020 our lives changed as a result of one decision. Shelter in place because of an unseen enemy COVID-19! We find ourselves in unfamiliar territory like some scene from a Stephen King pandemic movie. Places of familiarity and security seamed to have been ripped out from underneath our feet and have left many with feelings of fear and minds full of questions. Is this REAL? When will it be over? How will this affect our country, our families, our jobs, our life? We, like the chick, must recognize that struggle is a part of producing strength. This struggle is the same as any we have faced, it merely looks different.

The struggles in life are for the same purpose; ‘US’... striving to find significance in our life. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What is the meaning of our existence? We often mask our struggle by being light-hearted or hiding behind our accomplishments or relationships, but the reality is that we all struggle at different times in our life. We Strive to Reach, Understand, and Gain whatever is REAL at the moment, by Giving our best to the Labors and Endeavors that we surrender to, desperately hoping to find significance and meaning to the purpose of our existence. But when everything familiar and secure is stripped away, we find ourselves in a new struggle. The struggle of the unknown. Why are here? How did we get here? Where will we go from here? What's next?

The struggle can be defined as:

Striving

To

Reach,

Understand &,

Gain whatever seems REAL at the moment by

Giving our best to

Labors &

Endeavors During this time maybe you have found yourself striving to Reach, Understand, and Gain a new sense of Reality, giving yourself to Labors and Endeavors around the house that have needed to be done for quite some time. Those of you who have had to continue working might find yourself with a new reality of appreciation for those you might have taken for granted; teachers, childcare workers, those whose roles you have had to step into. You might find yourself struggling with anxiety and fear of all the news reports and social media hype. You might even find yourself wondering if these are the end-time events that you have heard about from parents or grandparents that you thought were exaggerating. You find yourself struggling with thoughts that all your dreams have possibly just come to an end, and you really don't know what to think right now. Maybe you're a senior in high school or a parent and feel as though you have been robbed of something you looked forward to, and that this situation has ruined your whole year.

When struggles come or hard situations are faced, they feel monumental at the moment. Even though all circumstances we endure might not be real, they seem real to us. Waves of disappointments may not be the end of our dreams, but at the moment they are crashing around us, they can make us feel as though we are drowning in the despair that we sense at that moment. You see, what seems real, is what is relevant at the moment and seems ................

Relevant

Evidence

Affecting my

Life

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight."

During this time, we must look at the strength intended from the struggle and change our perspective. FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. The Word tells us that perfect love casts out FEAR. When we focus on things that cause FEAR, we will surrender to them. So, we must change what we focus on.

What we FOCUS on Forms our Opinion Causing Us to Surrender. What are you focused on right now? What used to be? What might be? What will be? We are instructed to NOT lean on our own understanding but acknowledge HIM. Our struggle is usually thought of as an outside source, but the REALITY is that our greatest struggle happens on the inside. If we are honest, it is not COVDI-19 or the seemingly governmental interruption of our normal life that has caused the struggle that many of us face. Rather, it is the loss of control; control over our schedule, control over our choice, control over our destiny. The reality, however, is that we never really had control in the first place. It was merely an illusion. Much like that of our kids when we ask them to choose what they want for dinner and then give them options to choose from, our life is the same. There is one who in control of everything. He has given us two choices, life or death...blessing or cursing. He never promised to share with us the plans that bring the opportunity to make those choices. He merely says in everything we have a choice. He even tells us which one to choose, LIFE.

As a Christ-follower we often sing songs that declare our unwavering surrender. "I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Saviour, I surrender all." The reality, unfortunately, is that although we WANT to surrender ALL, we usually only surrender MOST. So during this time of " quarantine" use it as an opportunity to gain strength from the struggle of lost control. Consider it a moment when you can change your perspective from what has seemingly been taken FROM you, to what the Lord is trying to give TO you. Make the most of this moment to examine and reevaluate your priorities, and re-focus your perspective.

What is the Lord trying to communicate? What have you been without that you can continue to leave behind when all this is over? Have you been saying you wish you had more time to spend with the Lord in prayer and in Bible study? Now is your time. Have you longed for more time with your family? Now is your time.

Take time to look at the real evidence. The Lord tells us to BE STILL and KNOW that He is God. How often are we truly still? Take time to be still. Take time to seek what HE is wanting you to focus on. Take time to listen to what HE wants you to hear. Look for LIFE and the blessing that HE has given you through this time, instead of focusing on what areas in your life feel as though they have died. And finally, ask yourself, "Have I really trusted the Lord in all things or has my trust been more in my circumstances, situations, and relationships?" Take this time to truly TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart and not just in part. Choose to allow your struggles to strengthen you rather than strangle you.