In “How To Struggle Well,” Colonial Church STA invites viewers to join them for a message that aims to inspire and uplift. Today we have a guest speaker who discusses the importance of understanding the struggles and temptations that come with the Christian life. Using a comparison to Navy SEAL missions, they encourage listeners to develop strategies to overcome adversity, pursue sanctification, and eliminate the lies of the enemy. The message concludes with a prayer for understanding and intimacy with God.
Colonial Church STA warmly welcomes online viewers to their message, emphasizing their love for God, people, and life. They express their excitement for viewers to be a part of the message and hope that it will resonate and uplift them in their own journeys. The speaker also mentions their recent adventures exploring national parks in Florida and highlights their enjoyable time spent with Matt, Jill, and their kids. He expresses their honor of being in Washington DC, a city with a large population of Millennials, before delving into the passage from James chapter one that will be discussed. The focus of the message is on struggling well and pursuing sanctification, understanding the tactics of the enemy, and seeking intimacy with God.
Introduction
Welcome to Colonial Church STA! We are delighted to have you join us as we delve into the topic of how to struggle well. At Colonial Church, we believe in creating an inclusive and supportive community where we can learn and grow together. Our mission is to empower individuals to overcome life’s challenges through the transformative power of faith.
Before we begin our exploration of struggling well, let’s take a moment to connect with Colonial Church. Join our Sunday services to experience a vibrant worship atmosphere and hear inspiring messages that will uplift your spirit. You can also follow us on social media platforms to stay updated on our events and connect with like-minded individuals who are on the journey of faith.
As we embark on this discussion, it is important to note that struggling is an inevitable part of life. Adversity can leave us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, but it is through these struggles that we have the opportunity to grow and develop. Understanding the importance of struggling allows us to embrace it as a means for spiritual growth and transformation.
Understanding the Importance of Struggling
Spirituality within adversity is a concept that has been explored through various religious and philosophical traditions. It is during times of struggle that we often find ourselves questioning our purpose and seeking a deeper connection with the divine. Just as a Navy SEAL mission requires strategic planning and a sense of purpose, so too does our journey through the trials and tribulations of life.
By emphasizing strategy and purpose in our struggles, we can approach them with intentionality and resilience. Struggling becomes a path to sanctification – a process of becoming more aligned with our values and virtues. Through our struggles, we learn valuable lessons about ourselves, our priorities, and our relationship with God.
Recognizing the Enemy’s Tactics
In our journey of struggling, it is crucial to be aware of the enemy’s tactics. Understanding temptation is the first step towards recognizing the strategies that the enemy employs to sway us from the path of righteousness. As James 1:14 highlights, our own desires can lead us astray and ultimately result in sin and death.
However, amidst the turbulent nature of our desires, it is important to remember that God remains constant and unchanging. His love and mercy offer a shelter from the storms of temptation. By anchoring ourselves in the truth of God’s nature, we can navigate the challenges of the enemy’s tactics with wisdom and discernment.
Knowing Oneself
To struggle well, it is essential to know oneself. Engaging in prayer for understanding allows us to gain insights into our own thoughts, emotions, and desires. Through prayer, we seek God’s guidance in unraveling the complexities of our inner world and discerning our true identity in Him.
The Word of God plays a vital role in shaping our understanding of ourselves. As we immerse ourselves in scripture, we discover the transformative power of God’s truth working within us. The Word prompts self-reflection and a heightened awareness of our strengths and weaknesses. By acknowledging these aspects of ourselves, we can intentionally navigate the challenges that come our way.
Eliminating Moments
To struggle well, there are moments and situations that we need to eliminate from our lives. Identifying triggers is the first step towards creating a supportive environment for growth. By recognizing the people, places, or things that often lead us into temptation, we can consciously avoid situations and influences that hinder our progress.
Practicing self-discipline is another essential aspect of struggling well. It requires a commitment to making choices aligned with our values and long-term goals, even when it feels challenging. Creating a supportive environment – surrounded by individuals who share our values and support our journey – can greatly reinforce our self-discipline and help us stay on the path of sanctification.
Seeing the Consequences
To truly grasp the importance of struggling well, we must recognize the consequences of our actions. Accountability plays a crucial role in this process. By seeking the support and guidance of others who can provide honest feedback, we open ourselves to self-reflection and growth.
Reflecting on past choices allows us to understand the impact they have had on our lives and the lives of those around us. It prompts us to examine the direction in which our lives are headed and make necessary adjustments. Learning from our mistakes and actively seeking growth enable us to cultivate resilience and wisdom in our struggles.
Understanding the Lies
The enemy uses deceptive tactics to erode our faith and pull us away from God’s truth. Recognizing these lies is a crucial step in struggling well. Challenging the belief of God’s absence in our struggles is vital. Despite the hardships we face, we must affirm God’s goodness and His unwavering fatherhood.
By immersing ourselves in the promises of God’s word, we find reassurance and strength. The enemy may try to make us doubt God’s love, but we can rest assured that His love for us surpasses all understanding. Embracing this truth enables us to combat the lies and continue on our journey, knowing we are held securely in His embrace.
Believing in God’s Love and Care
To struggle well, we must anchor ourselves in the assurance of God’s love and care. Trusting in His unwavering love empowers us to face adversity with confidence. Even in moments of doubt and fear, we can rest in the knowledge that God is intimately involved in our lives and cares deeply for us.
Overcoming doubts and fears is a process that requires surrender to God’s presence and promises. By leaning into His love and care, we find solace and strength. Resting in His promises enables us to navigate the struggles of life with a renewed sense of purpose and hope.
Pursuing Intimacy with God
In our journey of struggling well, pursuing intimacy with God is of utmost importance. Intimacy involves nurturing a deep and meaningful relationship with Him, characterized by open communication and vulnerability. It requires dedicating time and effort to connect with God through prayer, worship, and meditation on His word.
Building intimacy with God allows us to draw closer to His heart and align our will with His. It enables us to discern His plan for our lives and find comfort in His presence, even in the midst of struggles. As we pursue intimacy with God, we cultivate a deeper understanding of His nature and experience His love and faithfulness in profound ways.
Seeking Understanding of God’s Plan
To struggle well, we must seek understanding of God’s plan for our lives. This involves surrendering our own desires and aligning ourselves with His will. Seeking understanding requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own agenda.
Through prayer, reflection, and seeking God’s wisdom, we can discern His plan and purpose. This understanding helps us view our struggles within the broader context of His loving guidance. By embracing His plan, even in the face of adversity, we can find peace and joy in knowing that we are walking in alignment with His purposes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, struggling well is a lifelong pursuit that requires intentionality, self-awareness, and an unwavering belief in God’s love and care. By understanding the importance of struggling, recognizing the enemy’s tactics, knowing ourselves, and eliminating moments that hinder our growth, we can navigate the struggles of life with grace and resilience.
Seeing the consequences of our choices, recognizing the lies of the enemy, and anchoring ourselves in God’s love and care are all integral to struggling well. Pursuing intimacy with God and seeking understanding of His plan enable us to walk in alignment with His purposes and find fulfillment in the midst of adversity.
As we continue on this path of sanctification, let us embrace the challenges and strive to struggle well. May we be encouraged to apply the strategies discussed and find comfort in the knowledge that God is with us every step of the way. Let us close with a prayer for help and understanding, trusting that God will guide us on this journey of struggling well.
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Ps. Matt McCloghry Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mattmccloghry/
Ps. Jill McCloghry Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jillmccloghry/