The Struggle

You might not know, I am a Case Manager at the TN Baptist Children’s Homes, and I work with the older residents who are preparing to leave our organization and live independently as adults. I have complained that our residents have it too good. Yes, too good (at least in material ways). So many wonderful people care about these children and pour out their love on them with money and gifts, and everything they might need is provided. Not to discourage anyone from giving, but our children lack for nothing. (Funds to maintain the facilities, pay the staff, and keep the lights on is the less glamourous need.) Our residents enjoy activities many children in regular families do not. The abundance of material things and special activities removes the opportunity for them to pine for and work for a treasured item or fun event. They come to believe they are entitled to these things. It removes the drive to work and fosters laziness. They do not experience the struggle of work – the need to work for what they want - the struggle of doing something less desirable for a delayed reward. It impacts their character development. Praying about a material need and depending on the Lord to provide is not needed. They do not understand that those who give to them work to earn the money and then give sacrificially. Entitlement, selfishness, ungratefulness, and laziness result. Things just come too easily. 

The residents at the children’s home are not the only ones experiencing a lack of struggle. When things are too easy, we do not develop properly before the Lord. Jesus addresses this in Luke 6:20-26:

Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
    for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
    for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”

 We are blessed by being poor, hungry, sorrowful, and hated? That does not sound right. Woe to us who are rich, well-fed, happy, and loved? Sounds crazy! But Jesus knew that when life is too easy, we do not run to God, we do not depend on Him as much, we do not ask Him to fight our battles. Patience, forgiveness, and endurance in our character remain undeveloped. We stay weak and immature.

 If you are in the midst of a struggle, count it as a blessing, and let God do His work in you. What is God teaching you? Is this struggle a result of disobedience to Him? If so, now is the time for confession and repentance. If not, He can hold your hand through your storm and guide you onto the right path.

 If things are smooth for you right now, work to not become complacent in your relationship with God. Discipline yourself to study His Word and make prayer a priority. You will likely face a fiery furnace eventually. Prepare for that day and recognize it as a refining fire.

 When children or young people approach you with their wants, pause before fulfilling their every wish (listen up, grandparents). Consider providing them an opportunity to earn the money or at least part of it. (Most of the times I have prayed about a material need, God has provided me a way to earn money to pay for it.) Teach them to work and to give to others from their earnings. Let them see you do this. Do not rescue them too quickly from difficult situations but help them pray about their responses to the struggles and problem-solve. Do not provide the answers too quickly but help them think. Remember, the caterpillar will not become the beautiful butterfly without the struggle of escaping the cocoon.

 joyce hague