Lent is a time to reflect on how we deal with life’s struggles and grow in our faith. In today’s reflection, I share how we can turn life’s toughest moments into opportunities for growth.
Have you ever found yourself wishing you could just skip over the tough parts of life?
Whether it’s a frustrating day at work, a misunderstanding with a friend or the challenges of parenting, we all have those moments when we just want to press fast forward and get to the good stuff. But what if those tough moments aren’t something to avoid, but actually something to embrace?
I’ve been thinking a lot about this. Lent is a season of reflection, a time to focus on growing in our faith and becoming better versions of ourselves.
So this year, instead of thinking about what I’m giving up (like junk food or social media), I’m thinking about how I handle life’s struggles and more importantly, how God can use those struggles to shape me.
Turning life’s struggles into strength
Take my birth experience for example. In 2016, as every newly pregnant girl, I had my heart set on having a normal delivery. I read every book, took all the classes and prayed for everything to go according to plan.
But God had different plans. My labor was long and despite my best efforts, I ended up needing an emergency C-section. While I was overjoyed to have the gift of a son, as time passed and especially after Steve developed eczema, I couldn’t help but feel like I had failed.
While battling with those moments of frustration and disappointment, I often found myself asking, “Why me?” “Why did things have to go wrong?” But one day as I sat with those feelings, I came across this verse from the book of James.
In James 1:2-4, it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I’ll be honest. At first, I was like, “Pure joy? Really?” I closed my Bible because I felt anything but joyful.
But the verse stuck with me. Over a few days, I realized that St James wasn’t saying we should love the struggle itself. He was saying that the struggles we face are what shape us. They test our faith and through those tests, we grow stronger.
The reward of faithful endurance
The verse was also a reminder that there’s a bigger picture. Sometimes we focus so much on the struggle that we forget the promise at the end. St James doesn’t just stop at telling us to persevere- he also gives us hope.
In James 1:12, he writes, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
The “crown of life” isn’t just some far-off reward. It’s a reminder that, in the midst of our struggles, God is preparing us for something far greater. Instantly I realized that, even though my birth experience didn’t go as I had planned, God had a purpose in it. The tough moments were shaping me for an eternal life with Him. And that reminder helped me find peace in what has been a challenging situation.
What does this mean for Lent?
Lent has always been a time for me to reflect on what I can do better in my faith, but this year, I’ve decided to focus on something different. I’m thinking about how I can handle life’s struggles with a mindset of growth. Instead of avoiding the tough parts, I’m choosing to lean into them. After all, Jesus didn’t run away from His trials- He faced them head-on. And Lent is a time to follow His example, trusting that God uses every struggle to draw us closer to Him.
How can we go through our struggles?
This Lent, I’m taking some time to think about how I respond to life’s struggles. Here are a few questions that I’ve been reflecting on:
- What do I need to grow and persevere through difficult times? Do I rely on my own strength, or am I trusting in God to help me through these moments?
- How can the hope of eternal life motivate me to keep going? How else has God supported and prepared me in all these years?
- How can I lean more on God in my struggles, trusting that He’s using them to shape me? What am I learning about God, about my relationship with God?
So, as we step into this season of Lent, let’s shift our focus from avoiding the tough times to embracing them as chances to grow. Life’s challenges might not always feel like blessings in the moment, but with God’s help, they can shape us into the people He’s calling us to be. Let’s hold onto the hope that through every trial, we’re being made ready for the eternal crown of life He promises to those who love Him.
