By: Alex J. Nagem © July 5, 2025
(The Beatles song, “Let It Be,” played in my mind with this one.)
Why does every turn in life feel like a struggle?
Life is indeed full of burdens, some small, others deeply wounding. Struggles often come not as punishments but as invitations to rely more fully on God. In John 16:33, Jesus says:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Struggles reveal the limits of our control and strength, but they also expose where God’s grace wants to meet us. They remind us that this world is not our final home, and that even in hardship, God is shaping us into stronger, more loving, more faithful sons and daughters.
Why do I feel taken advantage of?
When your kindness or humility is met with selfishness or exploitation, it can hurt deeply. Even Jesus, who was love incarnate, was betrayed, abandoned, and misunderstood. And yet, He remained faithful.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5
Being taken advantage of may mean you’re living out that meekness, not weakness, but strength under God’s control. But it’s also okay to pray for wisdom and boundaries. God doesn’t ask us to be doormats. God sends us out like sheep among wolves. He calls us to be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).
What does this mean for you now?
It means:
- Your pain is real, and God sees it. When you suffer, you gain a heart that understands pain. That is the heart Christ uses to comfort others. Your wounds can become places of healing for those around you, for those who see you and how you remain faithful to God.
- Your struggles are not wasted—they can bear fruit. Your struggles can bear fruit because they unite you more closely with Christ, allowing grace to work in and through you. When others see you holding on to faith, peace, or even joy in suffering, it points them to something beyond human understanding. Your endurance becomes evangelization. We are all called to evangelize (Mark 16:15). Your witness can change hearts.
- Your desire to be faithful, even when others take advantage, is honored by God. He uses suffering and pain to shape us. Every struggle patiently endured, every act of love in hardship, every refusal to give in to bitterness builds spiritual muscle and trust in God’s promises.
If every turn feels like a battle, know that you’re not walking alone. Christ walks with you—sometimes in silence, sometimes through others who care, but always with love.
A Prayer in Times of Struggle and Feeling Overlooked
Lord Jesus,
You walked the road of sorrow and carried the weight of the cross.
You were misunderstood, mistreated, and abandoned, yet You did not turn away.
You know what it means to be taken for granted. You understand every unspoken ache.
When life feels like an uphill climb and every turn brings new burdens,
remind me that You walk beside me—even on the steepest paths.
When I feel unseen, remind me that I am fully known and loved by You.
When I feel used, assure me that You see my heart and honor my quiet sacrifices.
Grant me the strength to rise each day with hope,
wisdom to set boundaries with grace,
and the courage to keep loving, even when love is hard.
Shape my suffering into something holy.
Let pain deepen my compassion,
and let disappointment draw me closer to Your heart.
I trust that nothing offered in love is ever lost in Your eyes.
Hold me, guide me, and remind me:
You are my peace, my protector, and my quiet strength.
Amen.