Have you ever found yourself on the struggle bus?

I have sixty-four-ounce water bottles I use to reach my hydration goals. Most days, I can twist off the cap as quick as a blink, but some days, those bottle caps seem glued on. I hold my breath, squint my eyes, and give out that “get-it-done-already” grimace until the lid releases its grip. One day, as I fought with one of my mega bottles, I thought about life.

Some days are harder than others. One day, we zip through our day with no problem, and, on other days, everything feels so hard. What’s normally easy feels like a struggle, and we can’t figure out why. We might think, What is wrong with me today? I need to get a grip! We might fight back tears over things we’d normally shrug off. We’re easily offended and quickly frustrated. We are officially on the struggle bus.

Everyone takes a ride on the struggle bus occasionally, but we can find ways to shorten the stay.

PAUSE

Time-outs are not just for kids and sports teams. We all need to step away from the source of our frustrations for a bit and ask God to give us fresh eyes. Even Jesus stepped away. “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16 NIV). Jesus removed Himself from the crowds and demands and gave Himself a breather. Notice that He invited His Father along, for He knew His strength came from God alone.

PONDER

If we want to find the answers to our struggles, we must take the time to ask the right questions. First, ask the Lord for wisdom and help. A simple, “Help me, Lord!” will do. Ask, “What do I need right now?” Perhaps, it is a decent night’s sleep, a well-balanced sit-down meal, a huge swig of water, a hug, a phone call with a friend, a good cry, a doctor or counselor’s appointment, a helping hand, or a few minutes with your Bible and the author? Even the psalmists asked questions.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

~Psalm 42:11 NIV

The psalmist looked inward and then reached upward to the hope giver.

PRAISE

Struggle-bus days may not feel like “get your praise on” days, but we can do it anyway.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6 NIV

I find praise to be a perfect frame for my day. I like to sing to the Lord in the mornings and count my gratefuls until I doze off at night. Psalm 22:3 (CSB) says God is “enthroned on the praises of Israel.” When we praise God, He takes His place of authority in our circumstances.

Even Paul and Silas knew the power of praise: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:25-26 CSB).

Bloodied and banished to a jail cell, these early missionaries made the choice to praise God. Their praise rose to God’s ears, and He reached down and shook things up . . . literally. Next thing they knew, they were free men. I dare say their praise in that prison cell kept their spirits free even as their bodies were held captive. I’m sure they didn’t feel like praising after being beaten half to death, but they did it anyway. And God changed everything.

What are some ways you can pause, ponder, and praise?

Lord, I’m struggling, but I know You are right here. I choose to pause from my striving, ponder my situation with Your help, and praise You even when I don’t feel like it. Right now, I choose to place my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: The Struggle Bus: Lee Merrill: All Rights Reserved