the struggle

I remember one of my seminary professors saying something like, "God values more the faithfulness of a Christian who is struggling, over the faithfulness of Christians whose world is 'all good.'" I think there is surely some truth in this.

We have to keep doing what is right, even when it seems all hell is pitted against us. But we will fail at times. But then we have to keep getting up back on our feet, to continue our walk of faith.

I have struggled over the years with depression. Some see easy ways out of depression; I was recently told so by a brother who is a committed and intelligent believer whom I respect, but who reminded me of one of Job's friends. I believe in ever seeking to live out God's truth from Scripture (here's just one good passage among many for any depressed person to meditate on). This book I am reading and will be rereading and referring to the rest of my life I think, is easily hands down the best I've read on depression, and in helping us see from God's word especially, what we who struggle with depression should do.

Sometimes we may not know why we struggle as we do; at other times it will be clear enough such as in a sin issue. But I accept struggle as a part of living in this life. We struggle due to weaknesses because of a number of factors. Sin has been mentioned and who doesn't struggle with that from time to time, perhaps over a wrong attitude, or over temptations that come our way, or over the impact sin has in our lives when we give into it. Repentance and faith in confession to God is important here. As well as proper confession to another or others.

And there are other factors, such as learned ways of thinking about ourselves which need to be unlearned. We easily gravitate to the old life in Adam, even for us who are in Christ in the new way of life. We have to unlearn the old and learn to live in the new in Jesus. And "the flesh" as that which represents this old way of life found in the world and fanned into flame by the devil, is a factor as well. We who are in the Spirit and not in the flesh are to thus walk by the Spirit.

Physical factors in this fallen world can affect us as well, as we know. In extreme cases medication can help (you can tell I'm not a fan of meds, but they have their place, I believe). And personality. I look at some people who seem to be effervescent most all the time, while others are quiet and seem placid to the point of what might seem to border on boredom. We have to be careful not to expect others to simply line up where we do, nor should we expect to line up easily where we think others are (and God knows each heart). We do need to share our struggles with God and with trusted friends who can pray, listen and encourage and speak helpful words in season.

Just some scattered words on struggling. So much more to say on this, and I've only looked at just a small part of what struggle might be, and really only a small part of that.

What might you like to add here on this?