By Myrna Brito

I have heard this over and over and I have said it many times. I find it to be one of those new modern things that is #funnynotfunny. This new sense of humor that allows people to be honest and complain about their situation and then laugh behind “The struggle is real”. I appreciate that although it is often veiled in sarcasm, we can be honest about the things that we are struggling with. I remember a time when we would struggle in silence because you could never admit any kind of weakness. It was considered a character flaw. As a believer in Jesus, I have come to realize that while it is a funny term that has caught on with t-shirts and hats, it is TRUTH. Anyone alive today knows that THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. Getting supplies like toilet paper is a struggle. Figuring out how to make the rent is a struggle. Juggling work and home schooling is a struggle. Meal-planning with limited ingredients is a struggle. Washing the dishes for the millionth time is a struggle. Living under the same roof with the people that you love the most but want to choke sometimes is a struggle. Navigating how to live in a world of uncertainty is a BIG struggle.

As believers we sometimes forget the things that the Bible tells us about struggles, trials and difficulties. They are not the most popular sermon series topics, yet there are rich and valuable lessons for us to mediate on. We can use the word of God to lead us as we navigate our current struggles. The Apostle Paul was a man who understood struggle and hardship. If you want to read about some of those struggles go to the books of Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. All were written while Paul was in jail. Talk about the struggle being real. Paul was so aware of what God could do in the middle of a difficult time and he leaned into the struggle expecting God to be present. Let’s look at Romans 5:3-5:

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Paul was able to see that suffering and struggle had a function. The process that Paul describes in these verses all lead to us being better and stronger and more dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit. I am reminded in our current situation that we must see what can become of our character and our dependence on God, right here, in the middle of “stay at home” orders and quarantine, and major uncertainty.

Here is another reminder that when there are difficult seasons in our life we need to depend completely on God. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV says the following:

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 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.

Paul was able to make a clear connection from his weakness to his complete dependence on God. He not only saw the connection, he uses “gladly” and “content.” Paul knew that there was a purpose and he was willing to go through the process for God to work in his life.

I encourage you today friend to find the purpose that God has for you in all of this. Remember that “The Struggle is Real,” and God can use every part of it to develop in us endurance, character, hope.

You can follow Myrna Brito on Instagram @myrnagbrito and on Twitter @MGbrito.