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I think all of us, at least a little, dream of the easy life. You know, where everything falls together and the plan unfolds exactly the way we want it to. I know I always had a mental picture of exactly how my life would play out. Married in my early twenties with that picture perfect relationship, kids by thirty, a great job, big beautiful home, and an impactful ministry as icing on the cake.
Needless to say, life hasn’t been that halcyonic. There have been detours and disappointments, struggles and delays. Some of the things I envisioned might not ever happen, and if they do it certainly hasn’t been on the timeline I projected.
But in a way I’m glad that my life didn’t follow that straight path. Just like in exercise, resistance builds strength. And I would never be who I am today, who I genuinely like today, if it hadn’t been for the struggles, disappointments, and heartache.
I like that I’m fiercely independent, open to new challenges, and content in any situation. I like that I can sit across from someone and empathize with their challenges. And I like that I still have so much room to learn and grow. I keep coming back to this scripture:
“We exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
You see, this hope isn’t that life will be easy. This hope is that the love of God will continue to be poured out. Everything I have been through in my life has just given me insight into how to love others better. How to bring the Gospel into people’s everyday lives. How to look at them when they are hurting and say that God loves them and that it will work out, not as a platitude but because I have seen it happen in my own life time after time.
Bruce Lee said, “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” After all, even thought it might not feel like it sometimes, isn’t powerful better than comfortable?
Don’t despise your obstacles, you just might be in the process of discovering your true strength.
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