Life is a struggle!

Are you struggling because of your choices or due to circumstances? Often our difficulties stem from our own bad choices or stubbornness.
Although everything is not the devil’s fault and we like to blame him for our distress, there is a condition that we struggle for the ministry sake.
Jesus’ life was a struggle from before he was birthed. Mary could have been stoned to death for His conception. But, God knew that Jesus was and is the ultimate sacrifice, that without him no one would stand a chance of reaching heaven.
Jesus lived daily just as you and I live, with the temptations of the flesh and the lies of evil to contend with. Jesus was the only child that knew more than his parents, he had the secrets of all things within him, yet he obeyed and honored his parents. Boy when we think we know something we are determined to loudly proclaim it. Declaring others as wrong and idiots because “I” know the truth! I got it! Jesus held his peace and obeyed those that had rule over him. Think about it….if it were me – that would have been a major struggle. Not to tell it.
When his ministry began, Jesus faced many persecutions and many falsely accused him. Ridiculed him. Abased him. Laid traps for him. Questioned him. While others sought him for what he could do for them. Like the 10 lepers…all were healed but only one returned to thank Jesus, hence he was made completely whole. Jesus struggled. Do you think thoughts of “nobody cares” went through his mind? He faced this life as we do, he felt what we feel so what makes us think for a second that he did not have disappointment, discouraged when rejected just like you and I have felt? He did, he overcame..just like we can if we only will. It begins with instant forgiveness. Not waiting until you have cuddled that offence for a while and then decide , “okay, I will forgive.” Jesus' example was immediate forgiveness. When Peter sliced the guard's ear off, Jesus immediately replaced it, rebuking Peter for his retaliation.
When Jesus was in the desert, Satan tried to tempt him. We struggle to find the right path. We struggle to discern false from truth. Which way do I go? People all around you seem to know more about what you are to do or not do than you. One voice pulling this way, another voice pulling that way….which way do I go? Listen for the voice of the Lord, knowing who he is and knowing who you are – you will make the right choice. We make several mistakes along the way. It is the way we learn. When we begin to walk as babes, we fall down. To walk – we don’t stay down.
When Jesus was before Pilate, he could have easily told all that he knew. He could have called the angels of heaven and got himself out of that place. So often we want to run from our trials and tests, even from our calling. It is a struggle.
Don’t let anyone tell you that this walk and work for the Lord is easy. He did tell us “my yoke is easy and my burden light”….think about that. A yoke is a restraining item around the neck to guide with….a burden is a load, heavy, and cumbersome. So why do we expect easy street when we come to the Lord?
It is a struggle. It is a struggle worth all that we deal with. A struggle that molds us and makes us strong. Strong enough to forgive, strong enough to love the unlovable including our self, strong enough to follow Jesus footsteps.
Some struggle just to get through the door, to cross the threshold into God’s kingdom. Others will be made to struggle through a tight keyhole…small space that feels like it is impossible to get through. The reason for your keyhole walk is that when you get through the keyhole, you are shaped like a key! You become the key to open the door for someone else to get through! Jesus is THE master key. Jesus opens the door for all of us to get through. Now it is our turn to become a door opener.
In Luke 6: 19-37, Jesus speaks of forgiveness and mercy. He tells that there is a reward for every action. It is up to you what that reward is: woe or consolation.
It is still up to you, it is your choice of struggle…struggle without hope living in a sinful world or struggle with hope of eternal love and peace? What do you choose?