1 Peter 1:6-7:
“With this hope you can be happy even if you need to have sorrow and all kinds of tests for awhile. These tests have come to prove your faith and to show that it is good. Gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire. Your faith is worth much more than gold, and it must be tested also. Then your faith will bring thanks and shining-greatness and honor to Jesus Christ when He comes again.”
The question of why we struggle surely cannot be answered in one article, but this verse sums up at least one reason.
Of course, you do not want to struggle, but on the other hand, maybe you should. If you were never tested and had it all together, what reason would you have to trust God? Being tested in anyway is not appealing, but imagine if you really were perfect. Right now, picture your perfect life and self.
Why would you need God? If everything was just peachy here on Earth, you really do not need this almighty Lord that can change any circumstance. When things are great, why would you need to pray for a brighter side?
I know I hate that I struggle, and my brothers and sisters in Christ are struggling all around this world, but it is testing my faith along with the rest of the body of Christ.
I would not wake up and ask for the Holy Spirit to come the moment I open my eyes every morning if I knew I was sinless. I would not thank God for all the little things He throws into my life that makes me light up, instead, it would just be what I am used to. If God rushed to save us through every bump in the road, we would have no time or intentions on getting to the smooth sailing roads ahead.
It is not easy, but I am learning to praise my faultless Father for every second of the good, bad, and in between. I praise Him for everything that I pray in the moment to change, but when I lay in bed at night and reflect, I realize I long to feel pain because my Savior did. He endured struggle I cannot imagine with forgiveness and loving actions. I have come to believe hardships only bring me closer to my Lord while I am here on earth and one day, in His Kingdom.
