Making Peace with Struggle, Lack and Defeat
Dear struggling believer, isn’t it time you embraced your role as a perpetual victim? After all, Jesus did say we’d have troubles in this world, so why fight it? Let’s explore the art of professional Christian suffering.
First, remember to start each day reminding yourself how unworthy you are. Sure, you attend church faithfully, serve in multiple ministries, tithe regularly, and even lead a small group – but clearly, you’re still not doing enough. That’s why you’re struggling!
Here’s your daily checklist for maintaining proper Christian defeat:
- Remind yourself “God won’t give you more than you can handle” (even though you’re clearly not handling it)
- Say “everything happens for a reason” when facing difficulties (while secretly resenting God)
- Keep praying harder (because clearly, you’re not praying enough)
- Quote “count it all joy” when facing trials (while dying inside)
- Maintain your “blessed” social media presence (hiding your depression)
Remember, you’re a suffering saint! Wear that badge proudly. When anxiety strikes, just quote more Scripture without actually believing it. When depression hits, just serve more in church – it’s easier than dealing with the root issues.
Keep comparing yourself to others who seem to have it all together. Their Instagram-perfect Christian life is surely more pleasing to God than your mess. Just accept that abundant life is for them, not you.
And when well-meaning believers suggest you could overcome these struggles, kindly remind them that Job suffered too. You’re just being refined by fire… endlessly… without transformation… because that’s what good Christians do, right?
OR…
OR YOU COULD HAVE THE AUDACITY TO BELIEVE THE TRUTH:
That in Christ, you are:
- More than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
- A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6)
- Complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)
- Given authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19)
You could dare to believe that “in this world you will have trouble” isn’t a resignation to defeat, but a preface to “but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
You could choose to believe that God’s promise of abundant life (John 10:10) wasn’t just flowery poetry but a divine guarantee signed in Christ’s blood.
The choice is yours: Remain a professional victim, mastering the art of holy suffering… OR Stand up, shake off the grave clothes of defeat, and walk in the authority and victory already purchased for you.
What’s it going to be?
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Easier said than done.” And you’re right.
Trust me, I’ve been where you are. For years, I was masterfully practiced at “holy suffering,” wearing my struggles like a badge of honor while drowning in defeat. The weight of a traumatic brain injury, divorce, a soul crushing custody battle, job loss, financial ruin, C-PTSD, shame, depression, etc., many of which I face to this very moment, had me convinced that this was just my lot in life as a Christian.
Breaking free from this mindset isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. It took me time to unlearn years of yielding to lies that kept me bound to struggle and operating from defeat instead of victory.
But everything changed when I truly understood the Gospel – not the watered-down version that keeps us managing our brokenness, but the revolutionary truth that sets us free.
About The Author
Omar Trevino
After enduring years of devastating trials including a traumatic brain injury, divorce, family court, financial loss, C-PTSD and severe depression, Omar discovered that the clichéd Christianity he knew wasn’t the powerful faith Christ died to give us. Through his journey from victim to victor, he now helps believers break free from religious bondage and defeatist mindsets, guiding them to reclaim their true identity and authority in Christ, living in the fullness God intended rather than settling for survival mode Christianity.
