The Virtue of Struggle
To whom it may concern… I’m a woman and surprise, surprise, life has not always been fair to me. But guess what? I don’t care. Who is life fair for, after all? I’m sure we could all count our grievances and stack them up against each other, but to what avail? Since when did we become a people who require life to always be easy? Why do we always demand that everything be perfectly suited to our sensibilities? Is that even reasonable? So, you have some adversity — take the challenge!!! Overcome, beat the odds, and conquer! In other words, let people underestimate you and have fun crushing their expectations. After all, where is the joy of living if you’re never challenged? What a boring existence to never taste victory in the face of incredible odds. But no, let’s all be coddled and comfortable to our heart’s content. Who cares if it puts a noose around our necks and causes us to lose our passion for life?
And truth be told, being a woman also has plenty of benefits (though it’s not in fashion to discuss it). Victimhood is all the rage, though anyone can argue that they come from a place of strength or weakness. It depends on your outlook. But if you want to get down to it, I’ll tell you who got the real unfair deal in it all…a man who was truly innocent but paid the debt for the wrongdoing of all mankind. Where is the justice in that? If we can let Him take the fall on our behalf, I think we can suffer a little injustice of our own from time to time. Because we will never be able to control what other people think or do, regardless of our attempts through social pressure or even legislation. But we can control what we do and eagerly look for opportunities to overcome life’s difficulties — and not just for ourselves, but for others as well.
Most importantly, we must never stop giving thanks for all the good we did nothing to earn. I think we are in danger of too eagerly looking for ways in which we have been slighted, but infinite grace abounds. And really, who doesn’t love a good underdog story? So, I accept my role and demand nothing of anyone except myself, because that’s who I’ll have to answer for in the end. I also pray whatever challenges I face will build strength of character and allow me to bless others in return. It’s the best any of us can hope for — until His return.
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:8-9)
