Paul had some struggles. I’m not sure what all of them were but he does list some of these in 2 Corinthians 11. Some were of a physical nature where he had been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and treated badly. Others were more trying from an emotional point of view. Listen as he says that on top of all his external problems, “there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.” 2 Cor. 11:28. He was concerned about those who were unkind, unloving, and those who were turning to follow false teachers and leave the church..

Along with this he had a constant battle to keep himself on the “straight and narrow”. In 1 Cor. 9:27 he informs us, “But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself might not be disqualified.” Paul was concerned what others were thinking about him, as we all should be about ourselves. How many times do we “give in” to the things about us rather than do what God requires of us? Do we allow our peers to influence our decisions?

Paul, was great a man, a servant of God, and he fought the things in life that we do. Hear him in Romans 7 say, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” (15) And again in verse 19, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” I have been and sometimes am there, aren’t you? Of course, Paul informs us that it is the sin that dwells in us that causes these things.

We need to be overcomers. We need to overcome the sin that is in our lives. We need to practice the things that would make us stronger spiritually. And as we do we will get further from sin. No, we will never be perfect, but we can every one trust in God, read His word, pray and grow stronger spiritually. We will have our weak moments but God is there to see us through. He will make a way.

We can also make excuses, procrastinate, and throw our hands up in the air and say “what’s the use.” Many have chosen this route. Which do you choose? God’s grace will help us through the things we cannot do on our own. But we must not give up! When you feel like giving up just remember, some of the greatest saints of God had troubles and things worked out for them as they trusted in the Almighty. They will for you also.