This world is full of struggles. Currently, we face a neverending pandemic, economic failures, war, political chaos, shrinking resources, and persecution.
The struggle is real.
Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed...
- Matthew 26:36-46
We are fallen people, living with other fallen people in a fallen world. Further, we are plagued by an enemy that seeks to "kill, steal, and destroy" (John 10:10). Satan encourages our struggles with temptations that lead to sin.
This was even true for Jesus. The Bible says He was tempted in all the ways we are tempted, but He overcame and did not sin. Temptation clearly took place in the Garden.
On the night Jesus was to be betrayed, He spoke of how His soul was deeply grieved. Jesus was struggling, facing a horrific set of circumstances. He was about to be betrayed, deserted, and abused. The temptation was great, and the weight of all Jesus was wrestling with inside the Garden was heavy. We can learn from how Jesus responded when the struggle got real.
Jesus knew how to respond to the temptation He faced. He knew the way to win the struggle was to pray. He entered the Garden of Gethsemane, asked His disciples (three friends) to pray with Him, and Jesus went to be alone with God in prayer.
He was honest with the struggle, honest with His feelings, and determined to be obedient to the will of God. We should admit the struggle, invite the prayer support of others, be honest with God about our issues or desires, and fight to surrender our will to the will of God.
Jesus left the Garden in victory, obedience, and peace.
We can't avoid struggles, but we can respond to them in such a way as to find victory, obedience, and peace. Pray and Dare to Ask God to help you find these things in your life today.
EASTER BIBLE READING PLAN
Easter is about an encounter, a time when we experience the hope and love of a Savior who sacrificed His life for us, despite our deepest struggles, betrayals, and failures. Easter is a time to share the Good News of the empty tomb and the grace only found in our risen Savior.
God’s passion for His people can not be extinguished. Do you embody this same passion?