For the last several weeks I have found it difficult to write in my blog. So much has been happening. With the excitement of publishing my new book, the busyness of the holidays, the craziness of the political scene, and the stresses of major financial burdens, life has been very… interesting. Add to all of this the emotional ups and downs of ministering to people and I have found myself drained—empty emotionally and spiritually.
I know I am not alone in this. Many struggle with this emptiness. Some of you may find yourselves empty as well. I think it happens most often when we give a lot of ourselves but do not take time to refill our own emotional and spiritual wells. There’s also the stressful moments that can catch us by surprise and throw off our otherwise normally balanced life. It could also be possible that we can become distracted by outside sources and forget to spend quality “me” time with God. In any case, it is not a pleasant experience and can discourage us on our Christian journey.
Strangely, in moments like these, when we need encouragement the most, we tend to hide from people. I wonder if this is because we seem to believe that it is wrong to admit, or rarely hear others admitting, any kind of emotional and spiritual struggles. It’s as if there is an unspoken teaching that struggles are a sign of weakness and weakness is a sin. Or maybe it’s simply a remnant of nature in us: survival of the fittest—don’t let anyone think you are weak—fake it, or die!
Why are we so afraid to admit we struggle? We can’t avoid it. Some may be too scared to admit it, others may be to proud, but every Christian struggles. The Bible says we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). Adding to our already handicapped nature is the fact that our adversary is constantly battling against us (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11). It’s not a passive attack either, Satan comes straight at us, full of anger, because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12). And if that wasn’t enough, you don’t have to be a Christian long to learn that his attacks increase the closer you get to God. As Paul said, “I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:21). With all of this against us, it’s amazing we could have any time of peace!
So we will struggle. Everyone who decides to follow Christ. I know, sounds like a pretty bad deal. Yet, Jesus didn’t shy away from telling us it would be this way. He said, quite bluntly, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). You will get bumps and bruises. You will find yourself empty and discouraged. You will mess up and fall. It will happen. Prepare for it.
BUT… (I love that Jesus wasn’t finished speaking.) “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Yes, we may struggle on our journey with Jesus, but as long as we rely on His strength, we will not be defeated. Because He is our Refuge and Strength (Psalms 46:1), our merciful Savior (1 John 1:9), and the source of Living Water (John 4:14).
This is God’s response to our struggles: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” To which Paul declared, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).
Why would we hide our struggles when we have a Savior so willing and able to help us succeed? The very idea of overcoming Laodicea is being honest with our struggles—owning them—so we will seek the help we need: Jesus.
So, yes, the struggle is real. I am running on empty. I struggle—regularly even. But I am willing to own my weaknesses, so God’s power can rest on me and give me victory!