For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:29-30

 

Have you ever felt like you’re a failure because you’re struggling?

 

In this day and age, social media makes it easy to picture the perfect life, believing that if everything goes smoothly, we’re winning at life! But the Bible doesn’t associate easier with better. Instead, the entire Bible illustrates that we were made to struggle (Matthew 7:14; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12). We were made to do hard things because out of failure, we learn. And out of struggle, we develop perseverance and hope (Romans 5:3-5). Psychologists refer to embracing struggle as crucial to a growth mindset.[1] But you might also relate it to every great adventure story ever written. There is no story without struggle and conflict!

 

Paul, one of the most famous followers of Jesus, wrote about the difficulties and struggles he and his friends were facing while following Jesus. He said in the Bible book of Philippians, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it” (Philippians 1:29-30).

 

Even when their problems were unresolved, Paul and his friends connected over them with hope and empathy, knowing they were not abandoned by God because of hardship.

 

If you’re struggling today, know that God isn’t displeased. He’s with you in your struggle. He’s the God who works powerfully in us through hardships to make us resilient, hopeful people. If you let Him, He will grow you into someone you never knew that you could be.

 

[1] Dweck, Carol S. “Embracing Struggle as a Component of a Growth Mindset.” Educational Psychologist, vol. 47, no. 4, 2012, pp. 223-231.