He stood at the edge of my hospital bed, detailing the procedure to come. The surgeon told me what I could expect over the next few days. Then he told me a little about his education and experience. Impressed, I said, “You have worked hard to get where you are.”
He grinned slightly and said, “Every day is a battle. Every day we have a choice to work hard for what we want. Some days it’s a battle to do the hard thing, to overcome an obstacle and be better. Some days just getting out of bed is the battle.”
Over the next few months I would fight a battle for my health and my mind. Some days were harder than others. Some days I felt good. Other days it was hard to get up in the morning, be positive and continue in faith.
Through my journey I have thought a lot about that surgeon and his words. Life here on earth is a battle. There are good times. But there are lots of battles too. In fact, Jesus guaranteed that we would have trouble. It’s only when we get to heaven that God promises there will be no more battles to fight (Revelation 21:4).
In this comfort culture we live in, when we avoid pain and hardship so earnestly, what if we saw each day as a battle? When we see things from God’s perspective, that our time on earth is a refining through fire, helping us to know Christ through his suffering, that’s when we draw close to Him and can be grateful for the battles. If we think life should be easy and obstacle-free we get angry and depressed when it’s not.
Rejection, failure and struggle are part of life on planet Earth. But God is with us when we struggle (Isaiah 43:2). We can take comfort in what Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.”
He has won the battle.
Father, show me your perspective of life on Earth and be with me through the battles.
Throughout this day: Pay attention to the messages from culture. Discern where the advertisers and social media voices are trying to convince you to seek comfort. Pray that God would help you embrace the battle and seek Him instead.