Daily Devotions
The Blessing of Struggles
Reading for December 6th: 2 Corinthians 10-13
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
A boy once noticed a butterfly that was struggling to escape its cocoon. It couldn't quite squeeze through the narrow opening. Trying to help the poor creature, he tore the cocoon open so it could get out. However the body of the butterfly was swollen and its wings were shriveled. It couldn't fly.
The struggle to get out of the cocoon was taken away from the butterfly. The restricting cocoon and the effort required to get through the narrow hole is God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly out into its wings so that it can fly.
Effort and struggle and perseverance serves a similar purpose in our spiritual lives. Our lives are filled with selfishness and pride, but the discipline of God through hardships and trials is intended to help force out our self-centeredness. Trials are not pleasant but they are a necessary part of the Christian life.
Father, we thank you for discipline. Help us be trained by it so we may be partakers of your holiness.
