Can you think of a book or movie you’ve enjoyed which had absolutely no conflict? Where Mr. and Mrs. Jones lived their lives with no problems, got everything they wanted, and faced no obstacles at all?

Perhaps you can, but it probably wasn’t a very good story. Without anything to challenge them, the characters never need to grow. Our response to opposition defines and refines us.

Most good stories require two elements: a desire for something, and some type of opposition to achieving it. A story truly becomes interesting when characters step out of their comfort zones and rise to meet challenges.

So it is with your life story and mine.

We live life desiring things: love, purpose, stability. But we face opposition in achieving these desires. We endure challenging relationships, we struggle to overcome past hurts, we sometimes even oppose ourselves, becoming our own worst enemy when it comes to achieving the things we desire.

Every story needs a hero; someone who helps make success possible. In seeking the things you desire, you may fall, but Jesus will help you rise. He can overcome any challenge. You may face darkness, but God will light the way.