Same here - everyone's got at least one.
Bishop TD Jakes put it this way:
Every victor is a victim in one area of life and
every victim is a victor in one area of life.
I agree - it's a fact of life that no one should deny - even if you want to, you can't - no one can.
If you let people, they'll whine, wail and wear you out with all that's weighing them down.
In fact there are some people who seem to always be wearing their "I have issues" t-shirt. Has this ever happened to you? You're having a conversation and sharing an experience (challenge and/or issues) with another person, the person then takes over the conversation with their own list of issues as if to say:
"I hear you - but you can't beat my list of issues."
This reminds me of a book I read several years ago - the title drew me to it. It's not difficult to understand why the author will come up with such a title. With all the things - challenges - some of us face, it's not difficult to think and even say that. Funny, how we never think or say "God is not fair" when all is going well with us.The fact of life is that God promised all of us a very, very rosy life... yes, one filled with sweet scents and troublesome thorns.
That was why Paul had "a thorn in his flesh"* that bothered him and he just couldn't shake it off/out. Same thing with Jesus just before He went to the cross.** Interesting that both of them asked God to take away the issue/challenge three times - so they were persistent - but God insisted that they needed those thorns (including the crown of thorns) because His grace is sufficient.*
We all have issues - challenges, hurdles, whatever you call them and will continue to - that's life. It's evident that those who are most successful in life are those who accept that issues/challenges are part of life and depend on God to help them through them.
Life may not be fair but I know, from personal experience - through all my issues -that God is faithful - He'll never bring to us things He won't take us through.***
One thing remains true, as a testament of God's faithfulness: God's grace IS sufficient.
References:
*2 Cor 12: 7-10 - And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. 8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; 9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). (Amplified Bible)
** Matt 26: 36-46 -
36 Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”37 Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, 38 and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”39 Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”40 He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”42 Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”43 Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. 44 He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.45 Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. 46 Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.” (Contemporary English Version)
*** 1 Cor 10:13 -
The only temptation [or trials]that has come to you is ·that which everyone has [(common to) human life]. But you can trust God [God is faithful], who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand[endure] it. (Expanded Bible)
