Dear Friends:

In the midst of new economic turbulence in America and other western nations, many believers feel like they’re in a war.

Of course, our brothers and sisters in India, Mexico, numerous African nations, and other places of true suffering would have some difficulty understanding our besieged attitude. But, that is probably a subject for another letter.

Still, life on earth is a great struggle. As a result of socioeconomic conditions, some of us are probably going to get introduced to new dimensions of struggle in the months and years to come.

So, let’s look at the purpose of struggle.

In Ephesians 6, Paul urges us to frame our struggles as wrestling matches (however, not against people but rather against “principalities”).

I know we often flinch at the idea of wrestling continuously. It is so exhausting and endless and painful. But have we ever thought that when Paul says we wrestle against principalities and powers, that we are being invited into a very real and continuing purpose?

What’s the alternative to wrestling? Being a spectator. Just standing on the sidelines of life. That is both boring and meaningless.

Instead, the Lord invites us to play in the arena – to compete in the great stadium of eternity! We are not isolated, helpless victims who can do nothing but drift along on the whims of circumstance. We are warriors; we are spiritual athletes! We have a chance to join a cosmic struggle. Every day, every hour, every minute.

And, that invitation is to join a fight which is already won! We sometimes live as though the Lord is sitting in Heaven, hoping we can win the battle for Him. No. Jesus conquered death and darkness. “It is finished.” And, now “He leads us His triumph” (II Corinthians 2:14).

But, the struggle has another purpose. Novelist David Foster Wallace said, “The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you.” I would adjust that to: “The truth will set you free as it convulses and completes you.”

In other words, God knows that the struggle itself will bring us to a new place in Him. Perhaps that is what Paul meant when he told Timothy, “Join with me in suffering for the gospel…” (II Timothy 1:8)

Is that what Jacob discovered when he wrestled the Angel? I wonder if Jacob first just wrestled with this stranger in order to win and get back to his life. Maybe around 3 a.m. he began to realize that he would never conquer this opponent.

Perhaps, as the sun dawned in the east, the true purpose of the struggle dawned to Jacob. He was not in this to “win.”

So, winning ceased to be his objective; instead, he was relentlessly focused on finding his blessing in the struggle (Gen. 32:26). He exerted all his energy with this majestic opponent – but not to win. He would wrestle a blessing from God from this great battle – even if he died in the struggle.

So, think of it: the Lord invites us to join a battle which is already won…and a great blessing lurks in the groaning and sweating and bleeding and muscle damage of the struggle itself!

Therefore, let us allow the Holy Spirit to infuse us with zest for the match! For therein we will see a blessing emerging from the struggle. The struggle is about completing us in Christ!

May the Lord open the eyes of your heart as you consider these great words – also from Paul (can you imagine what great struggles he went through to have such insight on the very nature of struggle?):

“For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”   2 Cor 4:15-18 NASB

Kinda gives you a second wind for the struggle doesn’t it?

Your friend in life’s struggles,

Steve Fry

PS - Let me remind you of two opportunities for regional worship institutes this year.  Click on the institute name for a quick link to the appropriate website.  Northeast Worship Institute on April 23-25, Fairless Hills, PA; and Unveiled Worship Institute on July 8-10, Dallas, TX.