Through Trials and Triumphs

 

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I have faced many struggles in life - challenges, as I call them. They encompass every aspect of my being.

Spiritually, there were moments when I questioned whether God was still with me. Socially, life’s battles made it difficult for me to engage with people, so I focused on working hard, as I did not have much to spare for socializing. Mentally, the weight of my problems either numbed me or left me overwhelmed. While I never entertained suicidal thoughts, there were times - especially during my studies in Master's Degree - when I said hurtful words to myself for not doing well academically, leaving  myself in moments of deep despair. Emotionally, I found it hard to accept criticism, especially in my work. Financially, my family was never wealthy; we always had just enough. And in terms of health, perhaps genetically, my sister and I have always been sickly, much like our parents before us. 

 

But even as I recount these struggles, I do not mean to say that my life has been without triumphs. I have also experienced many victories, and for each one, I am deeply grateful to God.

 

Yet the greatest challenge I have ever faced was when my mother passed away in an unnatural way. It was a pain so deep that, even now, I still wrestle with the thought - was it really her time? My heart cries, “No, never.” Challenges come unexpectedly, and no matter how much we understand the inevitability of death, we are never truly prepared to accept it. And so, all I can say is that it should not have happened - but it did.

 

But because we live in a world filled with imperfections and darkness, trials will come upon us in ways we least expect.

 

And this is how I have come to see things - no matter the hardship, God is always there. Some struggles we overcome, some we heal from, and some we simply learn to endure. Not every battle is won, but it is enough to know that in every situation, God is with us.

 

The greatest victory God offers is not found in this life but in the life to come - eternal life with Him, where suffering, pain, and sorrow will cease to exist. 

 

So what does this truth mean for us? First, it reminds us that we cannot triumph over everything by our own strength alone - we need God in every moment. Second, our problems are not the end of the story. They are merely a part of the journey, and we must keep going, never giving up. To give up is to end our lives in an unnatural way. And third, life is a gift from God, and because of that, we must value it. Knowing this, we must strive to rise above life’s struggles and seek peace and wholeness with God’s help. And as we recognize the worth of our own lives, we must also acknowledge the worth of others. We are not the only ones carrying burdens - rich or poor, everyone has their own struggles. Those who have the means to help should lift up those who are struggling.

 

This is how we journey through life - not alone, but with God, and with each other.