Struggling? | Teen Life Christian Youth Articles, Daily Devotions

Struggling?

It's good to know we rely on God, not ourselves, for salvation.

Struggling?

The Christian life is a bit of a battle most of the time. I am always frustrated that I seem to make so little progress in my walk with God. Here's some of the ways I struggle:

  • I struggle with stubborn sin.
  • I wish I prayed more.
  • I forget to be thankful.
  • I neglect my Bible.
  • I lack joy and confidence.

Do you ever feel like this?

Struggling is normal

I think struggling is actually the normal Christian experience. Sometimes we are up, but most of the time we are very aware of our downs.

You, like me, might take comfort from these words from the converted slave-trader John Newton;

"I am not what I ought to be;
I am not what I wish to be;
I am not what I hope to be;
But by the grace of God I am not what I was."

When you struggle, rely on grace

At the end of the day, grace is all we have. And at the end of the day, grace is all we need. We know that even though we might not always live up to God's standards, he will never let us down! Isn’t God good! Keep battling.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)