Valleys, Mountaintops, and In-Between

This post was written by TeenPact Student Body Representative Meredith Durham of South Carolina.

This life is not all sunshine and roses. There are so many outlets for us to see the highlights of others’ lives while only seeing the messy, difficult aspects of our own. We fall into the trap of thinking, “Well, I would be that happy too if I had their life!” or “Do they even know what pain or hurt or struggling feels like?” But I believe that these are lies from Satan because no one has a perfect life. What do we do when we are facing pain and hurt and real-life struggles? 

As Christians and followers of Jesus, we are called to respond to life and hardships differently. We are to be Jesus to the world. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says: 

“THEREFORE, WE ARE ambassadors For christ, God making his appeal through us…” 

If we are ambassadors, we are to represent Jesus in all circumstances. However, this is easier said than done, and impossible without the Holy Spirit empowering us. I’m sure you’d agree with me when I say it’s easier to be joyful when your family is healthy, your dad has a job and you are getting good grades. But what about when your mom is sick again and your dad lost his job and you’re trying your best but you’re not getting the grades you work for? 

How do we look more like Jesus in our hardships? We are to be like Jesus, but what does that look like? 

Well, what would Jesus do? A simple question but one that answers so many of my questions. When life gives me a situation or a hardship where I don’t know how to respond I remind my heart and mind of that simple question. What would Jesus do? He would forgive first. He would extend love first. He would forbear under trial. He would put others before himself.

I pray my life looks like this. I pray we collectively as believers live a life that looks like love. That we would view our hardships as opportunities to show the world Jesus by the way we respond. That we forgive first in an argument with a friend or trust God when there doesn’t seem to be any way out. That through life we would live out being an ambassador through the valleys, mountain tops and everywhere in between. I pray we look more like Jesus.

Student Body Representative Meredith Durham