The struggles of Life

In the last week I have had several friends come to me in conversation, struggling with different things in life and feeling down about it. They needed encouragement. They needed prayer. They needed a friend. Oh, and I had come to them just a week before needing those same things from them.

Friendship is a beautiful thing. And I think especially as moms, we need those relationships with other moms who are dealing with the same or similar life struggles. I am blessed to have women in my life who have prayed with me and for me, encouraged and walked down roads with me that they didn't have to walk. I'm honored to attempt to do the same for them.

But.... and here comes the big but... Why are so many of us struggling? I know it's childish and naive to think life is always rainbows and unicorns, (sorry to all the tween girls out there for bursting the sequin covered bubble) but seriously, why do some people just seem to have it SO hard?

I have friends battling serious health issues, parenting struggles, marriage issues, financial burdens, etc, etc. It hurts my heart for them. No, when I really sit down and think about what some of my friends are dealing with, I find it hard to breathe. I just don't understand why some struggle with burdens in this life far worse then the rest of us.

And so I wonder... why? Is it because of a sin issue? Is it a consequence of our own sin, or the sin of others? Is it to teach us something? Is it because we are selfish? Is it because we try to control our own lives instead of submitting everything to Christ? Is it because we are meant for great things and so Satan just wants to knock us down? Is it just simply to remind us that this world is not our home?

Here's a big question. Why do Christians seem to struggle more at times with life in general than people out in the world living in rebellion toward God?

I don't know the answer to these questions. But others have wondered the same thing. Listen to what Asaph wrote in Psalm 73.

For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. -Ps 73:3-5


He didn't know why life works this way but he did have some of our same feelings of envy, frustration, etc.

You see, I know that we do go through some trials as a result of our sin, or the sin of others. These are consequences we pay. While it seems unfair to suffer for something someone else did, we can at least understand it. And yes, I think no matter what we face in life, God can use it all to teach us lessons in trusting him more, letting go of control, and leaning on Him. But what about disease? What about good, decent people that are struggling with sickness, or financial hardships, etc while those in the world seem to prosper?

There is a song called Losing that is a favorite of mine. The basic concept of the song is the writer asking God to help him forgive those who have wronged him, or done things that they should know better than to do. He admits in the song that he feels like the one losing, but wants to have that forgiving attitude.

So... I'm not alone when I feel like struggling to do the right thing sometimes puts me in last place in other areas. Perhaps we will never know why innocent children get cancer, young mothers get left by their husbands, or good, hard working people lose their jobs. Other than the standard, "we live in a broken world" answer, everything seems to fall short of explaining why good people suffer and ungodly people prosper.

But read the last part of Psalm 73.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel.

I think Asaph knew the only real answer is to trust the One who is Eternal. The One who has promised a perfect Heaven to those who follow Him.

Sometimes the good do die young, but then spend that much longer in eternity. Whatever the suffering in this life, whatever the obstacles trying to tear us from the faith, whatever may come can not compare to the overwhelming joy on the other side.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. - Rom 8:18