Rising Above Life’s Pain and Struggles

Have you ever said, "I just don’t know how much more of this I can take." or " I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this." Sometimes when we make those statements it may be in reference to a job, problems in our family, trouble with sickness or death, or any other times when life challenges us beyond what we think we can endure.

The apostle Paul experienced some of the worst struggles and persecution that a person can imagine. He received forty lashes five times, was beaten with rods three times, stoned and left for dead once, shipwrecked three times, in his travels he would often go without food, shelter, or sleep (II Corinthians 11:24-28). He endured all these trials because of the strength he gained from serving Jesus Christ.

These words he wrote the Corinthians to encourage them in their struggles, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (II Corinthians 4:8-10)” Why should we endure so much? He adds these thoughts in verse 16, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

A leading psychologist at John Hopkins says that 70 % of people with clinical depression recover quicker and more often if they are people of faith. We don’t need to turn to statistics to realize this is true. Who are the people you know who handle life’s struggles best? How strong is their faith? I recommend taking time to take that person out to lunch and ask them how their faith helps them in their life’s struggles.

You may remember the story of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Helen Keller was born blind and deaf, and no expected her to ever speak or hear! She came under the care of Anne Sullivan when she was around 5 years of age.

Anne taught Helen her first word by pumping water in a cup until it over flowed and ran over Helen’s tiny hand. While the water was running over Helen’s hand Anne spelled the word water in the palm of her other hand over and over again. In two weeks Anne taught her thirty words, spelling them by touching the hand. Under this system, Helen Keller rose to renown. Teacher and pupil remained inseparable for forty-nine years until Anne’s death.

Despite her handicaps, Helen Keller was not only grateful; she devoted her life to assisting the deaf and the blind. She toured the world to promote the education of the persons similarly disabled. "For three things I thank God every day of my life," Helen said. "Thanks that God has given me knowledge of His works, deep thanks that He has set in my darkness the lamp of faith, and deep deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to - a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song."

Is life throwing great challenges and struggles at you right now? What is the greatest struggle you are facing? Have you relied on your faith to give you strength? Have you opened your eyes to see what God is doing to give you strength, courage, or wisdom to deal with your struggle?

We as believers must keep our eyes upon the author and finisher of our faith! He hasn’t saved us to quit! He didn’t die on the cross for us to give up! We can keep going when we feel we can’t go on if we stay focused upon the Lord Jesus, and on the prize before us!