Life is beautiful and overflowing with potential goodness. But this does not make life easy. In fact, we will have to endure much heartache and struggle that is simply part of life in this world.
Of course, our poor choices often make life more difficult than what’s necessary. There are consequences when we mess things up. And it’s also true there are many things in this life not as it should be and we often have to suffer due to the sins of others as well.
But this doesn’t mean every hardship is due either to our own shortcomings or to be blamed on others. Many of our challenges are just part of what it takes to navigate life in this world.
For instance, we likely don’t land our dream job right after graduation. We generally have to struggle a season or two through the ashes before we find our sweet spot. And even finding our sweet spot doesn’t mean the rest will be a cakewalk. We will still face many challenging days to produce the good God has called us to create in the world.
And this is true relationally as well. Whether in marriage or friendship, parenting, or the like, relationships take work and they’re not easy. And the profound goodness available in our relationships doesn’t negate the many difficulties they also come with.
To be sure, whatever it looks like, life comes with many challenges and struggles. And we’re not necessarily blowing it when this is the case. Nor does it diminish the deeper goodness and beauty embedded in the world.
But it does remind us much will be required of us. And like resistance training – our character is often forged through the hardships we must endure.
In the end, it’s a mistake to assume the good life will be easy. You will have to work hard and fight for many good things. And this is simply part of life in this world.
Courageously, carry on.
Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash
