The Struggle is Real!

Written by Minister Dominique Brunson; NE NY District 

Greetings to you all, my amazing sisters in Christ!

I pray that this note finds you and yours living an abundant life both physically and spiritually. I want to briefly share with you some thoughts on a common phrase that some of us use, “The Struggle Is Real!”

A “struggle” is defined as a forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack. In essence, a struggle is a reluctance to exchange power. Have you ever heard of a power struggle? We, as women, experience these in almost every area of our lives. So, follow me as we explore a few of these said areas…

Area #1: US vs. Our Children

• As babies, our children arrive on this earth depending on us for their very lives. But, as they grow older and develop over the years, they exhibit more and more the will to be independent and to live life on their own terms. This is a good and natural part of life because there will come a time when they will BE on their own and you will have no need to worry because you will know that you did your best to train them up in the way they should go and that teaching will not depart from them (Proverbs 22:6). However, between the time that that child is born and the time they strike out on their own, there is an ongoing struggle or “battle of the wills”, if you will, that grows increasingly stronger between you and that child. You try to keep the power while they try to wrestle it away from you…before they are of legal age to have it. Some children can test your peace of mind, your sanity, your patience, your faith, and all of your fruits of the Spirit in their quest to be “grown”. Have you heard that a situation often gets worse before it gets better? The teenage years tend to give life to this phrase, but rest assured that the last part is the most important: IT WILL GET BETTER! Prayerfully, when the struggle is over, that adult child can become more of a friend. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!

Area #2: US vs. the Job

• Where our jobs are concerned, if you are doing what you love and getting paid for it, hats off to you because there are many who are not! But, even if you are, there are still a couple of power struggles involved. First of all, we all know that sleep is precious and what little time we have to engage in it, we cherish J. So, there are times when we KNOW it is time to get up for work if we want to get paid, yet we want “just a few more minutes”. Are there any honest witnesses? THE STRUGGLE IS REAL! Secondly, once you decide to get up and go into work, there is yet another power struggle to deal with between you and whoever is in authority over you, whether it be a boss or manager, etc. Some tasks are in your job description so you are required to do them…yet, you really want to do something else and would rather not have to submit. I understand. But, there is a bright side: no matter how much you may not want to, God has called us to work here on earth as if we’re working for Him, no matter what we are called to do (Colossians 3:23). If you look at it this way, your attitude will change completely. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!

Area #3: US vs. God

• This particular battle of the wills is ongoing for us and must be a conscious choice as to whom we will obey. This is the struggle that overshadows every other one. Let’s be honest: we want what we want when we want it and the flesh is NOT one to give up easily. Our will is selfish and out to please nobody but ourselves FIRST! And make no mistake about it, it is ALWAYS at odds with God’s will for our lives. Karen Clark-Sheard told us years ago that the safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. Why? Because His will always has our best interests at heart and will never steer us wrong. That’s why Apostle Paul told us that we must die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). What does that mean, you ask? Literally, it means we must kill our flesh. And what does that look like? Well, here is an example. If you get angry, the flesh will want to stay angry and get revenge, but killing your flesh will remind you that God said that vengeance is his and HE will repay. That means all we are required to do then, is to show love and forgiveness! God’s will for us has always been for all things to work together for our good (Romans 8:28), so why not trust Him again? Why not allow Him to remain in control? He has been from the beginning anyway J. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!

If you are struggling in any of these areas or in anything else, be encouraged because if the Holy Spirit lives on the inside of you, it will give you that extra push that you require to  maintain a stance of integrity and Godliness in any situation. YES, the struggle is real, but the God we serve is even MORE real and what you do for Him will last much longer than your struggle. God IS the real thing! J