Most of us can give quick and easy advice to our sisters and brothers in their tough times. What is much harder is to take our own easy advice in our most difficult struggles. What this all means is simply this: struggling in life is real; it comes with the territory. Pain is no mirage; desperation is no picnic. Bandaids just do not work. We learn we can’t get around it and have to go through it. Life can be punishingly difficult; it can be wearisomely tough. Without struggles, our spiritual muscles begin to show signs of atrophy; our character shows signs of weakness. We can make it! Look, there are footprints of Jesus.
“Run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1b-2 NRSV)
From “Growing Toward Maturity”, by H. Lamar Smith View Here
