And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
The Power of the Struggle
Struggling can be challenging, yet a good thing.
However, as parents, spouses, friends, brothers, and sisters, the only thing harder than our struggles is watching those we love struggle.
However, enabling (doing for others what they can and should do for themselves) is one of the most harmful acts we can do to those we love.
Pray for the wisdom to know the difference between helping and enabling.
It can mean the difference between life and death.
The Butterfly Story
A man is watching a butterfly come out of its cocoon. He is fascinated by the transformation of life that this event represents. He watches as the butterfly chews a little hole at the end of the cocoon and then struggles to get out. Then, it looks like the butterfly gives up. He doesn’t want the butterfly to die, so he goes into the house and gets a small pair of scissors. He then cuts a giant hole at the end of the cocoon. Sure enough, the butterfly comes out. But the butterfly has a bloated body and shriveled wings. It shuffles around for a while, and then it dies. This bothers the man, so he calls the local college to talk to a professor about what he saw. The professor calmly explained that for a chrysalis to morph into a butterfly, it must struggle to get through that little hole. That struggle forces the fluids out of the body and into the wings, allowing the wings to grow. Without that struggle, the wings cannot grow. So, by helping the butterfly out too much, the man essentially killed the butterfly. (Charles Manz)
In what ways may you be doing something for someone you love that they should be doing for themselves?
What areas in your life do you need help that someone in your community could provide?
Lord, You have designed us to grow through resistance, learn through trials, and gain hope in tribulation. Please give us the wisdom to know where we need to grow to be more fruitful for the people You have entrusted us to love. Amen