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Struggles are Blessings

by Dr. Robert T. Tucker
Our daily struggles are actually blessings in disguise. They are God-given opportunities for emotional and spiritual growth. They are literally faith builders. The typical addict has what is known as “fight or flight” syndrome. When situations get too uncomfortable, they either react or escape, or do both. An escape is good as long as it is into God’s arms and not the local drug dealer’s.   Hopefully at some point, we learn to accept the fact that daily trials are a normal part of life, something we are powerless over and cannot change. What we can change is the way we deal with them. Learning to live life on life’s terms has many benefits.

James, the brother of Jesus shares the importance of emotional and spiritual challenges.

James 1 :1-8

From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.To all of God’s people who are scattered everywhere in the world:   Greetings. My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so He will give you wisdom. But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind. Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord.

In verse 3, it is made clear that troubles “test our faith.” In reality, they not only test it, but exercise it and help it to grow. Most of us know how exercise works with the physical body. As we exercise pushing against steel weights, the resistance forces the muscles to stretch their limits. They get torn down in the process, and as they recover, their size and strength increases. The next time around, they are able to withstand the same resistance,  and then more each time the process is practiced again. If the body is receiving a proper diet and practicing consistent exercise, it will grow stronger.

Spiritually speaking, if you have a healthy spiritual diet, (eating His word, the Bread of life), the challenges this world sends your way will be the exact resistance needed to increase your faith. As we face our daily challenges and put our trust in God and watch Him come through for us, our faith in Him increases.

On the other hand, these real-life trials and tribulations have the ability to cause significant trauma in the lives of those still suffering in active addiction. Before recovery, none of us were properly equipped to deal with these challenges, and entering program was just the beginning. From that point on, we needed to learn the true meaning of application. The program of AA says we must learn to practice the principles of program in all our affairs. Application and practice are very important ingredients on the solution side of recovery. Without them, we remain spiritual and emotional runts, clean and sober weaklings that continue to be “tossed to and fro” in every situation.

But, if we apply what is suggested, each struggle encountered becomes an opportunity for growth. In vs. 4 above, we have His promise that He will provide everything needed to become complete. If we do our part, He will certainly do His.  If we refuse to believe that He can and will do exactly what His Word says, why should He?   Why should He do something for us if we doubt Him and His love for us? He paid a high price for the gift He is offering anyone that is willing to accept it. He sent His Son to die so we may have eternal life with Him. Shouldn’t that be enough? Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He paid a debt He did not owe, a debt we could not possibly pay.
Have you accepted the gift of salvation? If so, then accept His promises. He will come through. He will do as He says. Today is the day to “exercise” your faith and then watch is grow!

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