When God created man and put us in the Garden of Eden, we had it good. It was the most beautiful environment and the trees simply brought forth fruit in abundance and all Adam and Eve had to do was to tend them. They didn't have to work to get them to bear fruit, they just had to care for them so that they would continue to bring forth more and more fruit.
Today we can't even imagine what it would be like to just put forth a little effort, spend a little time pruning and trimming the trees so that they will be even more abundant. And the reason we can't imagine it is because life is a struggle for us. Whether we like it or not, the problem came as a result of man's sin. When Adam and Eve ate from the wrong tree, God pronounced His judgment on them, and the effects of that judgment have reverberated throughout man's history.
When someone dies we hear the familiar words: "Dust to dust" to remind us that we came from the ground and that is where we end up. It's part of the curse that we all live under every day of our lives. The rest of it is: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:17-19)
So no matter how we might want things to be, the simple truth is that life is a struggle. Whatever we want to accomplish in our lives, whether it's a modest goal or the highest and most noble achievement that we can imagine, it will all take effort.
Have you ever tried to just relax and have a quiet day with no real agenda, nothing that you need to get done? And have you ever experienced on interruption after another? It seemed that your plans kept getting shoved aside because other things just kept coming up? And even if you could find some peace and quiet, you probably had a head full of things that you really should be doing. Your to-do list was nagging at you even if your body was stretched out on the couch.
I was preparing to speak at a Rotary Club meeting and I was talking with some of the men that were at my table. I mentioned that Jim Rohn talks about discovering that success was easy. The man that I was sitting with was quick to point out that success is NOT easy. It's a struggle that will take hard work and effort and you can never let up.
To some degree this gentleman was correct. There is work involved. Proverbs 27:23-24 tells us, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations." There is no standing still in life. Even if all we hope to do is to maintain the status quo, even that will take effort on our part.
But the real question is: If I'm going to have to work anyway, why should I settle for less? If it's all going to be a struggle, then what difference would it make if I spend some extra time, put forth just a little bit more effort, and go for my dreams? Why accept a life that isn't fulfilling or satisfying simply because I believe that it will be too much work to have all that I desire?
It really doesn't make any sense to strive and end up unhappy, unhealthy, and broke when all we need to do is to redirect our energy toward what we want rather than what we don't want. By using our minds, asking different questions and looking for new answers, we can find ways to invest ourselves, our time, talents, and emotions in the things that will lead to creating a life that is happy, healthy, and abundant.
How about you? Have you been struggling to get by? Why not start looking for what you can change in your life so that you will be able to succeed instead of just survive?
The libraries are full of books, the Internet is overflowing with information, that can help anyone find the answers and make the changes. All you have to do is recognize that it doesn't take any more effort to win in life than it does to fail. If life requires you to work, it's definitely better to harvest something useful rather than thorns and thistles. Since you will have to struggle anyway, why not go for your dreams?
I remember a particularly difficult time in my life several years ago. I was living in a one bedroom basement apartment with my three children, having just lost my 3 bedroom condo after a horrific breakup with my fianc? and some financial devastation. My daily schedule started early as I began my commute at 7 am to my full-time job as a marketing brand manager for an international hair care manufacturer. After a stress-filled, deadline busting day, I would arrive home late in time to make dinner, care for children, help with homework and fall exhausted into bed just to begin it all over again the next morning.
One day, and I remember it as clear as it were yesterday, I was standing outside my front door in Moorpark, CA, gazing up at the hills contemplating the difficulty of my life. I thought of the people who always commented on my strength, raising three kids by myself, and having endured such difficulties. I realized that this story of struggle in my life had become a long drawn out novel that was getting beyond tiresome. I realized that the story of struggle did not have sufficient rewards, after all?attention for my strength simply didn't relieve the struggle- but perhaps, perpetuated it! I decided right there and then, it was time for a new story. I somehow knew a deeper truth. I knew that I was the child of a loving universe, a part of a bigger picture, and certainly it wasn't the will of that Divine Purpose for me to be unsupported, unsupplied or unsustained. Certainly, as the offspring of Divinity, my sustenance should be maintained with greater joy and well-being. I looked around at the wildflowers on the hills above me and remembered the scripture, ?Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ?What shall we eat,? or ?What shall we drink?? for the Father knows that you have need of these things, but seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all things are added unto you.?
I decided then and there that I did NOT need to live out the life of struggle, I was done with that. I decided to live into a new story, one where I was supported, helped and cared for; a story where I had a rich and loving ?father? to care for me. I decided that life could be supportive and it would happen, not because I made it happen, or I did anything that spectacular, but simply because I would fall back into the arms of the Infinite and trust that life was safe and I was beloved.
That day was the beginning of a new life for me. My life began to change. It wasn't long before I made the decision to move back to Fresno where I was surrounded by supportive family and had the opportunity to take 6 months off while living with my sister and regroup. What a gift that was. Before long I was in ministry school and training to be a minister, my life-time dream. I had experience after experience of being supported, guided, sustained, supplied and cared for, and still do today. I've learned that when I try to force something happen it never turns out like I thought and when I trust in infinite timing and put my spiritual practices first, all things unfold in divine harmony.
I believe today that life is not meant to be a struggle when we are living conscious of our divinity and from the divine viewpoint of our higher self. It is when we live from our conditioned mind that we continue to perpetuate struggle and repetitive patterns. As we uplift our consciousness to align with our Infinite Self, we step into a force field of support. It is our only true happiness and the only path of lasting joy. I still cling to the simplicity of the ancient scripture, ?Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all else is added unto you.?
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Rob Marshall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mentoring, Religion and SEO linking. The same faith that helped David defeat Goliath is in everyone of us. In "Taking On Goliath - How To Unleash The David In All Of Us," author Rob Marshall shows you how to unleash your faith, overcome any obstacle, and live your dreams. Get two free chapte. Rob Marshall's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Janette Marie Freeman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kids and Teens, Doberman Pinscher and Pets. Dr. Janette Marie Freeman, author also of "Why Did This Happen to Me Again? Keys to Lasting Transformation," and "Live the Life You Love - In Spirit" For your free subscription to the popular "Live Richly" Newsletter go to. Janette Marie Freeman's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.