Why You Should Take Heart Amidst Your Struggles

“I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it on to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. “Philippians 1:6(ESV).

I believe you, God! And I can’t wait until you come back. I’ll be whole then. But…Yeah, I literally can’t wait! It seems like it’s taking forever. How many years have I struggled with this same character defect again?

”I believe I’m not the only one who has asked this question. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that things would change immediately the moment I surrendered my life to Christ. If I am… God help me!

Chances are, the struggle actually became harder. After the initial bliss—those first few hours, days, or weeks of feeling God’s love and forgiveness—the trials started coming from all angles. Every victory you experienced in Jesus’ name opened the door to another battle. As your eyes were opened to your sin and its effects on your soul, you realized just how much work still needed to be done within you.

You probably felt discouraged (or still are) and gave up, believing there’s no way your “messed up” self will ever change, only to run back to God in the end, begging Him to forgive you, and by seizing His ever-flowing Grace, continue the journey you once started. I feel you. I’ve been there.

We go through these countless trials, and it’s interesting how often we fail to realize that each time we go through the fire, we emerge more refined than before.

If we look closely, we will find that a specific area of our character has undergone a total transformation. Depending on the nature of battle we’ve endured and persevered through, characteristics that defined us, such as impatience, resentment, selfishness, apathy, hatred, anger, rage, different forms of addictions, pettiness, and laziness…YOU NAME IT, they’re chipped away.

Think about it: Would you have been more understanding if everyone you knew and loved had misunderstood you, making you realize how it feels to be misunderstood?

Would you have been more generous if you hadn’t gone through a tough period in which you lacked all that you needed?

Would you have been more humble if you hadn’t been forced to swallow your pride because you had no choice but to ask others for help?

Would you have been more patient if you hadn’t had to wait for something or someone you knew you couldn’t walk away from?

Would you have been more forgiving and graceful if you hadn’t messed up so badly, yet were forgiven and shown grace from not only God, but also those who matter to you?

Have you ever thought of the things you go through before He launches you into the next phase of your life? Would you be able to serve Him the way you do if He hadn’t refined you the way He did, paying attention to every single detail of you?

For me, the answer is a resounding “NO!”

It’s incredible how God encourages us to have faith when it seems like His Spirit is not working in us, when in fact He is, in His own time, wisdom, and splendor. How much easier it would be if we just stayed focused on Him rather than fixating on our imperfections to the point of being blind to the great work He’s doing in and through us, right?

We must remember that we are in the hands of a master potter who molds us into His image.

Yes! The process is grueling, but the outcome is more beautiful than we often realize and is totally worth it. It’s all about surrendering and letting Jesus do what only He can do.

May we endure and hold on to His promises no matter what, because when He returns, we will be whole.

Hallelujah!