“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."
- Psalm 28:7
Interpretation: “If it wasn’t for the struggles, you wouldn’t be as strong as you are today. God will always build you up, even when it feels like He is breaking you.” I stumbled across this thought recently, and it hit me hard. Life has a way of throwing curveballs—moments that knock the wind out of us and leave us wondering why this or that happened. But what if those very struggles are the raw materials God uses to make us stronger? It is something like asking for strength, and God will give us problems to overcome them and those situations will make us stronger. The Psalms, those ancient songs of raw emotion, seem to whisper this truth over and over: even when we’re falling apart, we’re being put back together with purpose.
When Struggles Feel Like Breaking
If you are honestly seeking God, you can be sure He hasn't disowned you! - Psalm 34:18
Let’s be real—struggles don’t feel good. Whether it’s a heartbreak that keeps you up at night, a job loss that shakes your confidence, or a health scare that turns your world upside down, those moments can feel like the end. I’ve had my share of nights where tears were my only company, and I’m guessing you’ve been there too. But the Psalmist David knew this ache well. In Psalm 30:5, he writes, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” It’s not just poetry—it’s a promise. The pain has an expiration date, and what’s left behind is a strength you didn’t know you could carry. Think about it: that time you thought you couldn’t go on, but you did. You’re still here, tougher than before. That’s no accident.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)
God’s Hands in the Mess
The second part of that quote—“God will always build you up, even when it feels like He is breaking you”—stops me in my tracks. It’s a paradox, isn’t it? How can breaking and building happen at the same time? Yet Psalm 51:17 gives us a clue: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” There’s something sacred in the shattering. It’s like a potter smashing a flawed clay pot, not to destroy it, but to reshape it into something better. I’ve felt that in my own life—times when I thought God was silent, only to look back and see He was chiseling away the parts that needed to go. The struggle wasn’t punishment; it was preparation. Maybe you’ve seen that too—a loss that led to a new beginning, a failure that taught you more than success ever could.
Holding On Through the Storm
So what do we do when we’re in the thick of it? The Psalms are full of ideas. David didn’t hold back—he poured out his fears, his anger, even his “How long, Lord?” cries (Psalm 13:1). I think we can do the same. Grab a notebook and scribble down what’s weighing on you, or whisper a prayer when words fail. It’s not about having it all together; it’s about trusting there’s a builder who does. Psalm 46:1 calls God “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” He’s not just there when the storm clears—he’s in it with you, steadying your hands as you rise. The strength you gain isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving because of what you’ve walked through.
Built Stronger Than Before
That quote I started with? It’s stuck with me because it flips the script. Struggles aren’t the end of the story—they’re the beginning of a stronger you. The cracks in your heart? They’re where the light gets in. The weight you’ve carried? It’s forged a backbone of steel. God doesn’t waste a single tear or trial; He’s crafting something beautiful out of the mess, just like casting out a human from mud. So if you’re in the middle of a hard season right now, hold on. The morning’s coming, and with it, a strength you’ll carry forever. May you find peace in your brokenness and courage in His hands.
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