1. Overcoming the Struggles of Life

2. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
CSB

3. “For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.”
Romans 7:19
CSB

4. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”
Ephesians 6:12
CSB

5. Fine, it was pizza. I ate pizza,
Ate salad for dinner!
Mostly croutons and tomatoes. Really just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce.
And cheese.
Fine, it was pizza. I ate pizza,

6. Life’s struggles can’t be overcome by physical strength of will.

7. “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death…
Matthew 26:36–43
CSB

8. Remain here and stay awake with me
Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour?...
Matthew 26:36–43
CSB

9. …Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation
…Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.
Matthew 26:36–43
CSB

10. Life’s struggles can’t be overcome by physical strength of will.

11. Life’s struggles can’t be overcome by taking matters into your own hands.

12. “At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his ear."
Matthew 26:51
CSB

13. “Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father…
Matthew 26:52–54
CSB

14. …and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels? How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
Matthew 26:52–54
CSB

15. Life’s struggles can’t be overcome by taking matters into your own hands.

16. Life’s struggles can’t be overcome by running away.

17. “But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.”
Matthew 26:56
CSB

18. Life’s struggles can’t be overcome by running away.

19. Overcome life’s struggles through prayer.

20. “Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
CSB

21. “Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Matthew 26:42
CSB

22. “After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.
Matthew 26:44
CSB

23. Overcome life’s struggles through prayer.

24. Overcome life’s struggles by surrendering to God’s will.

25. “Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
CSB

26. “Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Matthew 26:42
CSB

27. “Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels? How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way"…
Matthew 26:52–56
CSB

28. …At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away."
Matthew 26:52–56
CSB

29. “He who calls you is faithful; he will do it."
1 Thessalonians 5:24
CSB

30. When you surrender to God, he is responsible for the results.

31. Overcoming the Struggles of Life