FS Extra 👣 Read this short story to change how you see struggle

Published: Sun, 05/24/26

Updated: Sun, 05/24/26

Discover why life’s hardest struggles are often shaping the strength you will one day rely on. The butterfly story carries a lesson many of us need right now.

Have you ever gone through a season of life that felt painfully slow, uncomfortable or unfair, only to later realise it changed you in ways comfort never could?

Most of us want relief from struggle as quickly as possible. That’s understandable. Yet some difficulties are not there to destroy us, they are there to develop us.

The lesson behind today's butterfly story still hits deeply. It reminds us that growth often feels restrictive before it feels freeing.

There are moments in life where we think, “Why is this taking so long?” or “Why does this feel so hard?” Yet sometimes the very pressure we want removed is the thing preparing us for the next stage of our life.

Learn this butterfly’s lesson

One of the quiet dangers of modern life is that we can become impatient with our own becoming. We want confidence without discomfort. Wisdom without mistakes. Strength without resistance.

Yet muscles grow through resistance. Character grows through challenge. Emotional resilience grows when life stretches us beyond what feels easy and familiar.

Sometimes the difficult conversation, the disappointment, the lonely season or the setback is developing emotional wings we do not yet realise we will need.

The link below also includes the beautiful short video “A Butterfly’s Lesson,” which brings the message to life with music.

See why struggle can become strength

When looking back over life, many people discover that their greatest growth came from periods they never would have chosen at the time. The hardship sharpened them. The pressure deepened them. The struggle forced hidden strengths to emerge.

That does not mean we should seek suffering. However it does mean we can stop assuming every struggle is meaningless.

If you are in a difficult season right now, perhaps this is not the end of your story. Perhaps you are being prepared for flight in ways you cannot yet fully understand.

Read the butterfly story and watch the video

The cocoon feels confining while you are inside it. Yet without that process, the butterfly never develops the strength required to fly.

Sometimes the struggle is not evidence that life is against you. Sometimes it is evidence that growth is taking place.

View and share a few of these past emails

See you again soon.

Thea Westra Signature Someone else might need this today!

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