The Good in Struggling

Isaac has yet to master the skill of rolling over-- or to even do it once for that matter. And this is perfectly normal for his age. But to help him out, we have been giving him lots of tummy time so he can develop muscles in his neck, back, and shoulders.

However, Isaac doesn't really love it. He's learning to tolerate it for longer stretches, but usually he grunts and struggles and eventually complains loudly enough that I come rescue him. But every day-- multiple times a day-- we repeat this. I let him struggle because I know it's good for him. He needs to get stronger, and he needs to learn how to control his body. If we never gave him tummy time, his head would be extremely flat and he would take much longer to develop the muscles he needs in the future.

So, I've been thinking about struggling. Doesn't God do the same thing? He lets us struggle to make decisions, struggle to find answers, struggle to figure out problems. Because it's good for us.

As a missionary in South Africa, I remember talking with a man who lived in a lovely, average-sized home with a beautiful view. His single daughter and granddaughter lived with him. He seemed to live a good life. But when we asked him why he wasn't interested in religion, he told us it was because God had abandoned him in his life. He told us he had faced difficult trials (including bankruptcy, if I remember correctly)-- even though he had prayed to be delivered from them. "If God loved me, why would He allow me to suffer?" he asked. The man told us he had decided to ignore God because he felt ignored by Him.

I was surprised that he could really think this. Aren't there a ton of examples in the scriptures of people who suffered even though they were righteous? Like Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel all waiting years and years to have children. Or Joseph who was sold into slavery by his very own brothers? What this man didn't understand is that God is a parent-- a perfect one at that. He's not a "helicopter" dad who will save us from our poor choices or choose our careers for us. Instead, He steps back and allows us to struggle if it means it will help us grow-- which (unfortunately) it almost always does. But in the end, we are better off-- and actually have more freedom. Just like Isaac will-- once he figures this rolling over thing out.