Rooted in Virtue: Embracing the Struggles on the Path to Spiritual Growth (The Struggle of It All)

Introduction to the Struggles with Virtue Series

Dear friends,

As we begin our year-long journey of spiritual growth, rooted in virtue, it is important to acknowledge that the pursuit of godly virtues isn’t always as simple as it may seem. Throughout this year, we will explore the virtues God desires to cultivate in our lives, such as love, patience, kindness, humility, and many others. But we will also be honest about the struggles we face in trying to embody these virtues in our everyday lives.

In this series, Struggles with the Virtue, we will look closely at the real challenges that come with trying to live out godly virtues. It's not just about admiring these virtues or even aspiring to them—it’s about actively practicing them, even when it's hard. And believe me, it will be hard at times. That’s why we need this series, to provide encouragement and understanding for when the road gets difficult.

The Struggle is Real: Why Virtue Can Be Challenging

Living a virtuous life isn’t something that just happens overnight. It’s a process—one that involves growth, failure, perseverance, and, most importantly, grace. As we strive to live out virtues like love, patience, kindness, humility, and others, we will face obstacles, doubts, and temptations. These struggles are not signs that we are failing, but rather signs that we are on the right path. God uses our struggles to refine us, teach us, and make us more like Him.

Six Key Elements in the Struggle for Virtue

In this series, we will focus on six critical aspects that are essential to understanding and embracing the struggle that comes with living out virtue:

1. Failure: Embracing Imperfection

None of us are perfect. We will fail, we will fall short, and we will experience setbacks as we try to live virtuously. The key is not to be discouraged by these failures but to embrace them as part of the process. Failure doesn’t define us—it refines us. We can learn from our mistakes and, with God’s help, keep moving forward.

2. Doubt: Overcoming Insecurity

It’s natural to question ourselves and doubt whether we can truly live out the virtues God has called us to. We may feel like we’re not good enough, that we’ll never measure up, or that we’re not capable of embodying godly virtues. However, when doubt arises, we must remind ourselves that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our ability to live out virtue comes not from our own strength, but from His.

3. Temptation: Resisting the Pull Away from Virtue

Temptation will always be present. Whether it’s the temptation to act in impatience, to harbor bitterness, or to neglect kindness, we will face many moments where we will need to choose virtue over vice. This struggle is real, but it is also part of the growth process. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can resist temptation and grow stronger in our resolve to live virtuously.

4. Process: Understanding the Journey

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen instantly—it’s a process. It requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to embrace the steps along the way. There will be days when we feel like we’re not making progress, but those are the moments when God is working the most. Growth takes time, and we must trust the process, knowing that each day we are being shaped into more Christlike versions of ourselves.

5. Grace: The Fuel for Growth

Without God’s grace, none of this would be possible. It is His grace that gives us the strength to keep going, the courage to try again after we fail, and the power to resist temptation. Grace is the foundation upon which all virtue is built. It’s through God’s grace that we can strive toward virtue, knowing that even when we fall short, He is there to pick us up and continue the work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

6. Perseverance: Pressing On in the Face of Challenges

The Christian walk is one of perseverance. We are called to endure, to press on, and to keep fighting the good fight of faith. This struggle is not about being perfect—it’s about not giving up. We are called to keep running the race, even when it feels hard, because the reward of living a virtuous life far outweighs the struggles we face along the way (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Why This Series Matters: Growth Through Struggle

We often hear about the virtues we should strive for, but the truth is, living them out is tough. It's tempting to give up when we don’t feel like we’re making progress, or when we’re confronted with our shortcomings. But the reality is, the struggle is part of the journey. Without the struggle, there’s no growth. Without the challenge, there’s no perseverance. Without failure, there’s no learning.

In this series, we won’t just focus on the end goal of virtue. We will acknowledge the difficulties, the moments of failure, and the frustrations. But we will also remind ourselves that these struggles are opportunities for God to work in us, to refine our character, and to help us grow in the virtues He desires to cultivate in our hearts.

What to Expect from This Series

Each post in this series will focus on one specific virtue and dive deep into the struggles that come with it. We will look at the difficulties, doubts, and temptations that arise as we try to live out that particular virtue, but we will also offer encouragement, practical steps, and reminders of God’s grace and faithfulness. You can expect to be reminded that it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to fail. But, with God’s help, we can continue to grow, persevere, and become more like Him.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the journey of spiritual growth. We acknowledge that living out virtue is not always easy, and we often face struggles that seem overwhelming. But we trust that You are with us through it all. Help us to persevere, to embrace the process, and to rely on Your grace every step of the way. Strengthen us in our weaknesses and remind us that our struggles are opportunities for growth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.