Staying Strong in the Struggle

No one has to tell you that tough seasons happen. It could be a literal season, like a sports season. But it’s true in life, too.

You could be struggling in school or with a relationship with a parent or a friend. The hardest part can be when we don’t know why we are struggling. You might feel like you are doing everything right, but it’s not turning out that way.

The sad truth is that sometimes, when we are in the middle of a struggle, we will not understand why God is allowing it. Sometimes, our trust in the Lord and His ways is a test of our faith in Him.

For example, consider Israel during the conquest of Jericho. Jericho was seemingly impenetrable, with its high, thick walls. When God’s messenger came to Joshua, he was given very odd instructions: everyone was to be set in a specific order and then march around the city once a day for six days. On the last day, they were to march around seven times and then blow trumpets and shout. Can you imagine the Israelites? “That’s the plan?!” some of them probably thought. Can you imagine the people in the city? “What are you doing…?” they might have asked.

Despite a very odd military strategy, Joshua and the nation of Israel obeyed the word of the Lord, and the walls fell at the sound of the trumpets and shouting.

This doesn’t mean you need to shout and play a trumpet. But keep doing what you know is right in the Lord, and trust Him through your battle. He has a reason. He will not fail. He is faithful. Stay strong.