examples of struggles in the bible
Verses on Struggle and Condemnation. Those who are anxious spend a lot of time sleeping and, in the darkness, rather than the light. Ensuring that you have complete trust in God and that he has a plan for you and your life will strengthen that trust and faith. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. This action on the womans part took a lot of courage and risk but her faith in Jesus and his abilities was able to heal her pain and suffering and allow her to live her life. Seeing that his life isnt changing for the better, he finds God again after these ten years have passed and is able to use his faith to restore his tattered reputation and ascend to the throne as he becomes King of Israel and thus fulfilling his destiny. Case in point: if you've ever struggled with depression, you may find comfort and encouragement in knowing that several well-known Bible characters seemed to struggle with it . 6 Bible Figures Who Struggled With Anxiety - Beliefnet Z. International Standard Version Copyright 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation. 7. are able to recover more quickly from emotional wounds such as failure or rejection. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) at any time day or night 24/7, to talk to someone who understands. But [if] I say, "I will not mention him and I will no longer speak in his name," then it becomes in my heart like a fire burning, locked up in my bones, and I struggle to contain [it], and I am not able. Luther's "Temporal Authority: The Extent to Which It Should Be Obeyed," whose One of the reasons our military is having recruitment problems is the Parents' Rights, Religious Freedom, and the State. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud (Jer 38:6). What are your responses like when you have made a mistake? In this article, weve gathered various biblical teachings that can help to inspire you by referring to some biblical figures who have faced trials and tribulations. Examples Of Trials In The Bible: 7 Biblical Stories For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. He instilled purpose. So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth. By using her faith in God to speak up for what she believed was right, she was able to save herself and her people. One story in the Bible that you can turn to is that of Naomi, a woman whose life became lonely after the loss of her husband and sons; however, she found comfort in the company of her daughter-in-laws, especially Ruth, and was able to eventually find peace and comfort thanks to their faith in God. 1. so Rachel said, "I've been through a mighty struggle with my sister and won." Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Her sister, Mary, however, was taking the time to listen to Jesus. The Roman system is structured to insulate the patron from suffering. The struggles that Moses and the Israelites endure at the hands of the Pharoah and Egyptians is soon rectified by the plagues and the eventual distruction of the army in the Red Sea. Sadly, God had already told Jeremiah that the people wouldnt listen to him and would be sent into captivity (Jer 7:27; 14:12). Jesus, however, said again, "Children, how hard a struggle is it for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! His story sadly took a decline as he became extremely jealous and ended up running away from Saul and hid in a cave alongside other outsiders and misfits. Davids life may not have been as smooth sailing as he had thought it would be but it was his refound faith in God that allowed him to get through his difficulties and back on his path. K A B C 33 occurrences in 10 translations 'Struggle' in the Bible Gen 25:22 Tools and the children struggle together within her, and she saith, 'If it is right -- why am I thus?' and she goeth to seek Jehovah. Sometimes when people feel sadness, pain, or any other negative feelings and emotions, they may be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help whether that is physical, emotional, or mental. Theres an old saying that political battles in the United States are Clifton Black's Mark's Gospel-- The Dialogue Part Seven. Luke 10:40-42 says, "Martha, burdened with much serving, came to Him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Next up are the Three M's, which include struggles involving morality, other community members, and ultimate meaning. Hagar. This is why it is important to ensure that you are honest with yourself and with God and find the courage needed to admit your mistakes. Trusting in God to guide you through these difficult times will help you to strengthen your relationship with him and keep your faith when you feel as though you are being tested. And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Struggle in the Bible (33 instances) 3. are able to recognize and express their needs. He came down from his mountaintop experience with God, commandments in hand, only to find the Israelites in complete chaos and sin. Their story appeared to be one of scandal when Mary got pregnant before she was married to Joseph. His relationship with his brother Esau was deeply complicated as Jacob stole the birthright from Esau due to his greed and refused to meet with him when he heard he was visiting. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud, Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Note - If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts and tendencies, please get help. Naomi felt alone as her husband and sons died but in her daughter-in-law, she found someone who she could confide in and forged a meaningful relationship with her. Imagine yourself as being in Davids place. - Bible Study Planet. When the man realized that he hadn't yet won the struggle, he injured the socket of Jacob's thigh, dislocating it as he wrestled with him. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. How long will my enemy rise up against me? Davids story begins by his victory against the giant Goliath and his subsequent rise and ends as he becomes King of Israel. You had been anointed king already. In the last two verses of Psalm 27 David wrote: "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. The disciples were amazed at His words. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. The best examples for our understanding of these two words come straight from the Bible, where some chose joy, even when their circumstances were pretty bad. Often referring to herself as the mother of Israel, Deborah took it upon herself to take care of others and used her platform to encourage kindness and compassion. When they have all reached safety, Moses closes the sea down on the Egyptians who were in pursuit of them. Imagine someone takes you to a party. The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Despite their heartbreak and disappointment, their faith in God never faltered and Zechariah thrived as a figure of authority within the church. His friends accused him of sin, his wife told him to curse God and die and Job never did find out the reason why God allowed him to suffer so much loss. Then Esther spoke again to the king. God's Purpose Behind Your Problems: Spiritual Life in God Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. He didnt tell them to just tough it out. Elijahs anxiety, along with many other biblical characters, alerts us that being committed to God, does not necessarily exempt us from being anxious. David. He now collapses, runs away when Israel most needs his leadership, possibly missing the chance for national repentance, and turns suicidal. I pour out my complaint before him;I tell my trouble before him. There is consolation in the fact that even King David poured out his heart and complaints before God but he didnt stay there for long. What Does the Bible Say about Patience - Verses and Examples There's no doubt, that the Bible is full of Bible verses about struggle and perseverance. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. He accuses God of being the cause of it. So glorify God in your body. 10 Examples of Trusting God in Difficult Times to Inspire You Trusting God through normal times is easy but it is when you are faced with more difficult situations that you may begin to feel tested by Him. How Do We Know When it Is Time to Give Up? Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, "With how hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God! No matter what you are going through, there are always ways in which you can confide in God and find inspiration to push through the difficult times and make things a little easier. 1.David 1.1.Acts 13:22 2.Deborah 2.1.Judges 4:4-10 3.Esther Have I not commanded you? Restorer. And he said to the reapers, The Lord be with you! And they answered, The Lord bless you. Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, Whose young woman is this?. Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. Just needing someone to notice. For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Once they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the kings son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf. Lay your hand on him, and you'll remember the struggle. Romans 3:10 As it is written, "Not even one person is righteous.". Listen to what Peter says and he certainly knows from experience; the tested genuineness of your faithmore precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by firemay be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:7). But the good news was that Peter was restored by the merciful Jesus (John 21:15-19) and so were the other disciples who had abandoned Him at the trial. TopicalBible Are there any fears that you feel are holding you back? 9 Powerful Stories of Emotional Strength in the Bible - Deep Spirituality The Bible has many great examples of individuals who journeyed through tough times with God by their side. God understands. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ensuring that you still have faith in God during these turbulent times will mean that you have everything you need. Many of us struggle with our faith, suffering from severe trials, but there is no faith worth having that has not been tested by fire and I have denied Christ before by my own silence when given the opportunity to witness for Him. C And endurance produces character, and character produces hope. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Peter: How God changed his personality Paul's Suffering (Acts 20-28) | Theology of Work Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be"a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Are any relationships affected negatively when you are going through a difficult time? Even after David had been anointed king and chosen by God, he still had to run for his life. He offered mercy. Be still, and know that I am God. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.1 Kings 19:4. One such story is about the woman who bled for 12 years who was healed by Jesus. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him. Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And He was saying, 'Abba! But God equips us to overcome obstacles. Proverbs 11:29 Verse Concepts What is important about this story is that when David became King, he was much more humble and showed compassion compared to how he acted before his fall from grace. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Scripture describes the struggles of people who suffered from anxiety, even though they were faithful servants of God. So what can you learn from Naomi and Ruths story? Saul was so angry that he even threw a spear at his own son Jonathan because of David (1 Sam 20:33) and even Gods priests were murdered because of Sauls fierce anger. The woman in this story may not have a name, but her story is one that has stood out against most thanks to its message and the resonance it has. Not anyone that I know of. For months he endured intense affliction with open sores covering his entire body. Sometimes we notice, but often we dont. Faith explains the wider spiritual context whereas trust is an aspect needed within any relationship whether that is with your faith or with your friends and family. Isaiah knew this and didnt let his pain and sadness affect his faith in God and he used his faith to help others in similar situations and helped to spread the word. Negative feelings can take hold such as anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion to name a few which can then manifest in a loss of faith. Having faith in God is tested during these times as you may begin to question why these events have happened to you if you are so loyal; however, its important to know that God has a plan for all of us and none more so than Isaiah and his story. Have you felt this too? Near. Pour [it] out on [the] children in the street, and on the assemblies of young men at the same time. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Seek out professional treatment and care. Depression in the Bible - Thomas Nelson Bibles But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Weakness is an opportunity for God to work powerfully in our lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. Perhaps the difficulties in your life stems from a feeling of not being able to accomplish anything on a daily basis. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Is there something in your life that isnt what you pictured? But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Ps. Or perhaps there is something you have been wanting to speak about but are struggling to find the courage. Although this woman doesnt have a name, her story has resonated with many around the world thanks to its message. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. In order to fulfil his destiny, David had to lose everything he has in order to learn how to forge a better foundation for himself and thus ensure that he is a better King and a better person. Luke 10:40-42 says, Martha, burdened with much serving, came to Him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? We also see his huge grief in the loss of his sons in 2 Samuel 12:15-23 and 2 Samuel 12:18-33. 1. 10 Steps to Healing from Spiritual Trauma, 10 Things You Should Consider before You Drink Alcohol, 10 Things You Should Never Say to Your Wife, How God Fills in the Gaps for Homeschool Moms, 7 Surprising Habits for Joyful Spiritual Growth, Mimi's Place: Learning the Rules of Being a Grandmother, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. All of his anger was not justified. And they went and woke him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He will not leave you or forsake you.. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 10) 1 Corinthians 15:57 " But thanks be to God! 14 Bible Characters Who Wrestled with Their Faith and Won Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you.. He had a lot on him. And after a storm at sea, being swallowed by a giant fish, and then being saved and given a second chance, he obeyed. We can be assured, that in whatever we face, Jesus understands our weakness and suffering, our greatest times of temptation and despair, because he too traveled that road, yet without sin. The message from Zechariah and Elizabeths story is that their faith in God remained throughout the years despite the hardships. For greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.". He broke out in painful boils. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king. Let brotherly love continue. 38:4, Why are you downcast, O my soul? I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 1. He knows our frame and that we are all frail, feeble, and weak, made of dust (Psalm 103:14). P The greatest truth is this, we have a Savior who understands our pain, who knows about every weakness and hurt, and reaches out with compassion and hope. Admitting your mistakes is a way that will bring you closer to God and strengthen your relationship with him and the story of Jacob is a perfect example of this. God had called him to preach, yet forbidden him to marry and have children. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. No matter what your illness may be, it can become frustrating and affect your faith in God, especially when it seems that there is no end to the pain; however, it is important to make sure that you try new things like the woman in the story did and keep your faith in God so you can maintain a positive outlook. Among this crowd is a woman who has suffered from bleeding for 12 continuous years. As we reflect on the areas of our lives where we know we are weak, in whatever capacity that is, may we look to Jesus and ponder how He works through our weaknesses for His glory. She acted against her fears and asked for her family and friends to pray for her as she stood up to the king. The plagues push Pharoah to free the Israelites but as they escape, led by Moses, Pharoah decides to pursue them with his army. Yet statistics tell us that only about one-third of those who are depressed actually receive treatment. But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. N Who can say that they have suffered more than Job did? In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Seven Relatable Struggles That Jesus Can Identify With But when the struggle was becoming violent, the Tribune, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by the people, ordered the troops to go down and take him from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. He said to them, Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. The result of which sees the brothers reconciling and changing himself for the better by dedicating his life to Gods work. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Knowwhose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believers daily walk with God and the Bible. But God did not do as Paul asked. When we do this, we can find true peace and joy in Him. Anxiety is often triggered by life circumstances and can pull you into the pit. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. After God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people, he fled as far away as could. What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare? | GotQuestions.org She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I work hard and struggle to do this, using the energy that he powerfully provides in me. When David was anointed as King of Israel, he was an improved man filled with love and compassion which he learned from his fall. All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.'" I pour out my complaint before him;I tell my trouble before him., they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the kings son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. Help is available. Some scholars believe he had to run for his life from the wicked King Saul from between 7 and 10 years. Jesus was known to Martha and her siblings. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. So what can we learn from Davids story? You can always rely on God to show you the unexpected path when you are faced with a difficult time and manage to push yourself through regardless. For we know him who said, Vengeance is mine; I will repay. And again, The Lord will judge his people.. 50 Bible Verses about struggle. Now Naomi had a relative of her husbands, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 5 Ways Paul's Struggles Can Help Us Understand Perseverance in Faith The Courage of Imperfect Women in the Bible. Who in the Bible Struggled with their identity I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. For I do not understand my own actions. Possibly the reason for this was because Assyria was a continual threat to Israels existence, and the prophet hoped that this threat would disappear in their destruction. Have you asked these same questions? Wretched man that I am! And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. In order to do this, standing up the king seems impossible, but watching her people suffer because of a law that she doesnt believe is right sees Esther turn to God for the courage that it takes to speak to him. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. It is my prayer that your struggles will not destroy your faith but instead will strengthen it. Jesus is our ultimate example of resisting temptation in spiritual warfare. He just knew that God was mistaken. Each temptation was combatted with the words "it is written." The Word of the living God is the most powerful weapon against the temptations of the devil. F There are times when life can be through challenging and difficult situations your way, whether you are dealing with the loss of a loved one or have recently lost a job, and it may seem unlikely that you will ever get through it. 1. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! However, confiding in God is extremely important as this will ensure that you are able to strengthen your relationship with him by being honest and ensuring that you have the courage to seek help from others. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Patrons alone, for example, had the right to escape bodily violation, as we see when Paul's status as a citizen (a patron, albeit of a household of one) is the only thing that protects him from an arbitrary flogging ( Acts 22:29 ). For even husband with wife will get trapped, [the] old with [him who is] full of days. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Job and His Friends The King also saw a fourth man in the fire who was God himself dancing with them, a sign that their faith was rewarded. Then the women said to Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. This forbade the orders of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who had a golden statue built and ordered everyone in the land to worship it. As you read the Psalms, you realize that King David experienced many of the same anxiety symptoms. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps. 5 LESSONS FROM TOUGH TIMES AND PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE 1. First, he lost his material possessions, then all of his children. Esther is a great source of inspiration for those seeking more courage. 10 Women in the Bible Who Struggled to Trust God's Plan The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. You struggle with your many consultations; let them stand, now, and save you-- those who see the stars, divide [the] {celestial sphere}, who inform by new moons-- from [those things] that are coming upon you.
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examples of struggles in the bible
