Space to Struggle
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
–1 Peter 5:10 (KJV)
Have you ever heard it said that if you help a butterfly escape his chrysalis, he will die shortly after?
It is difficult to watch the butterfly struggle to push out of its chrysalis. We don’t enjoy sitting back and watching difficulty or suffering. But it is this struggle that strengthens the butterfly and prepares it for the future.
This past year at university, I had a professor who would not answer all my questions. After I asked a question in class she would say, “Hmm, that is interesting. We should explore that.” I knew by the look in her eyes that she knew the exact answer to my question, but she wanted me to figure it out on my own. At first, I was baffled that she would not just answer my questions. Answering questions is what teachers do! But after researching my questions and coming to answer them on my own, I understood why my professor would not just give me the answer. I learned so much more through the process of searching for the answer than I would have if she would’ve given me the answer as soon as I asked the question.
In the career field of Education, there is a certain area of learning that all teachers strive to guide their students toward. As students learn, they move toward things they are capable of understanding, but do not yet understand. In this area of learning, students struggle. However, the place of struggle is the optimal environment for learning to take place. The best learning takes place during the struggle.
I have often been guilty of going to God and asking why He would allow me to struggle. It is okay to ask God questions, but it is not always easy to hear His answers. Sometimes, we struggle because in our struggle we are learning to lean on God for our strength–far more than we would without the struggle. Through our struggles, we are spiritually strengthened and more established in God’s love.
A butterfly must struggle out of its chrysalis in order to survive in its new and beautiful life. As Christians, we are learning to live a new and beautiful life in Jesus Christ. The struggles we go through are a natural part of life, though they can be painful in the moment. Take hope to heart as you remember this truth: After the struggle, you will be stronger and more established in your relationship with Christ than before and you’ll be better because of it.
Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the struggles You send our way to strengthen us! Please help us to remember that our struggles are only for a season. You are preparing us for a new and beautiful life. Help us to look beyond our struggle and keep our eyes on You and trust that You are working all things out for our good. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Not for a Moment” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois. She was born to Christian parents and has known Jesus Christ personally since the age of five.
Tessa enjoys being active in her local church. She serves as a co-teacher for the two-to-five year old class where there is never a dull moment.
It is Tessa’s passion to be a girl after God’s own heart and through her studying of God’s Word, Tessa longs to draw closer to her Savior. Through her writing, she longs to take others with her on this journey of faith.
Tessa loves all things Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size.
When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, she can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!
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Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/
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