I have problems every day. Some days these problems are big and other days small but they are always there. If you are a humanoid from planet earth you probably relate to my dilemma.
So how are we supposed to survive these daily struggles? How can we wage daily war against these struggles and, not only survive, but be stronger as a result of them? I have found three simple habits give me the strength I need to fight to win against the “stuff” of this life:
1. Pray
Before you say “No duh!” stop and evaluate your prayer life. Over the last few years I have taken a long, hard look at mine and had to make some serious adjustments.
Are you spending enough time in prayer asking God to give you the strength you need to make it through the day? Jesus wrestled in bloody, sweaty prayer for three hours in the Garden of Gethsemane to make it through the toughest day of his life. Are we wrestling even three minutes to make it through a typical day with typical problems? Prayer is the portal through which the life of Christ pours through us. It is the electrical outlet in which we plug into so that we can “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” Ephesians 6:10.
Let us pray.
2. Read God’s Word
Don’t just read Christian books read the one written by Christ himself! I don’t care if it’s NIV, KVJ, NAS, NLT or ESV just make sure you READ it. When we pour over the inspired words of Scripture conviction and transformation pour over us. It is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and help us to be the same. There are many Bible reading programs to help us get started but we have to have the discipline to follow through. If your day is packed and stacked with meetings and mayhem get up 30 minutes early, make some coffee and make time to read the ultimate love letter. Don’t just get into God’s Word let it get into you.
3. Embrace community
The Christian life is not a solo act. We are part of an ensemble, a choir, an assembly of believers who are called to do life together. As King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:9-11, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”
So who is there to help you when you fall? Do you have a community of believers who encourage you, love you and rebuke you when necessary? Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. We need others too.
These three little habits will help you have daily strength in your daily struggles. They have sure helped me over the years.