SIGH - When Does This End – The Struggle is REAL

How many times have you said, “The Struggle is Real”, about your life and how much the struggles occur. For me it goes in waves. Over this last week or two I’ve been not just facing struggles, but the people around me have had them and I’ve talked about them at length. Taking a look back at my blog entries I find that a common theme is the struggle, the work to get past the issues, the problems, the trials. I’ve been thinking this week a lot about these trying times in my life. I don’t always get upset about them but I admit, sometimes it just gets to be much. The struggles are real.

The struggle is real is a phrase used to describe a small, everyday frustrating situation or setback, similar to the complaint of first-world problems.Its origin, however, is much more serious. The struggle is real begins in hip-hop culture, where the struggle refers to the oppression and poverty faced by black Americans, especially in the inner-city. Use of this struggle dates to the 1990s, but it was likely influential rapper 2pac who popularized the phrase the struggle is real on his 2002 posthumous track, “Fame”: “No, we ain’t blood, but we still real brothers. / The struggle is real, nothin’ can steal what we build.”

Ephesians 6:12 NIV   ¹² 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.

Hebrews 10:32 NIV   ³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.

That Hebrews one above pretty much sums things up by saying they will happen. They are supposed to produce in you a strong person. Ok I get that but dang, sometimes the weight just feels like I have a mountain sitting on my shoulders. I will take the trials and tribulations, I just would really like a nice long break every so often. You know, honestly I understand that going through these things create in you the person you are. Those challenges give you a certain perspective that certainly helps yourself and others. Again, I just would like a break every once in a while. Did I mention, I’m worn out from the ups and downs.

I know for a fact that I would not have half of the “sources” or “fuel”  that I do for these blog entries if I did not go through struggles. I try to learn from my own but also from others.  Sometimes it just feels heavy, I know this is not lost on any of you. It seems since Covid started that people protecting our own mental health is a very high priority. I know I try to protect mine.

One of my main – get me revved up things – is traffic. I tell you, I think at least half or more of the folks driving out there have lost their minds. Its like wherever they are going is totally more important than where any of the rest of us are going. It’s just a shame we can’t all play well together. I mean a car or SUV in my case is not exactly a small thing. I know if I hit someone in a compact car, I am going to do some serious damage. There is rarely a day when something I see is just disappointing about drivers and habits. I just make myself take deep breaths and remind myself – breathe and get there in one piece – better late than never.

Yes, sometimes the struggles have great meaning later on, they can be used to sharpen us for what comes next.  Just remember to always be thankful in the storm – and if you fall out of the boat – remember, your savior (Lifeguard) walks on water so He can save you. Just lean in and rely on Him.

I have been working on this entry for about 4 days and today I got a very early text from my sister, my brother in law was care-flighted to a hospital in Fort Worth, he has had his fifth stroke in the last several years plus he is going through his second round of cancer treatments. Lord, be with him for full recovery. He has more work to do.  Here we go again, this is very serious. I just don’t know how many more of these strokes he can withstand. It sure seems like he keeps getting through them for a reason. He has a pretty mighty testimony, so I feel like he is someone God is using and still has more work to do. I am praying for this outcome anyways.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am grateful for the lessons, for the valleys for the highs, I do know there is something in there for me (us) to get and hold on to for other times. Lord, I just ask for some relief every so often so I can recoop and get stronger for the next one. Please be with me (us) in that. Thank You – Amen.