Monday's Musings - If There is no Struggle, Frederick Douglass Quote

by Mary Denman                                                                                   Instagram: maryfdenman

As many of you know, I've had a very difficult past year, losing loved ones very close together. It turned my life upside down. It's made my life a struggle at times. 

Recently, I came across this quote from Frederick Douglass. The line, "If there is no struggle, there can be no progress," really struck a cord with me. 

I want my life to be easier.  
I don't see struggle as a good thing.

That's why this quote hit me. 
I started thinking about it. 
Is it true? 


Frederick worked tirelessly to eradicate slavery in this country in the 1800's. When you contextualize the quote, it makes perfect sense. 

But what about today?

Without trivializing what he said, I think it is still true today. We may have abolished slavery, but there are more issues to deal with. Both on a societal level and on a personal level. 

I can only speak to my own issues. As I said, I don't want to struggle. But is there a way to the top of a mountain without work or struggle? No. Not really.

Sure, a helicopter could drop you off. But if you want to get there yourself, you have to prepare and work hard. And struggle along the way. 

Plus, if I want to scale a difficult challenge, who will I go to? Someone who's flown to the top, or someone who's gone before me and knows the mountain?

I'll take the word of the person who's done it themselves. 

So, can I really go through my entire life without struggle? No. 

We all suffer, face challenges and need to keep going. 

Which brings me back to what Frederick Douglass said. 

What if I see my struggle as progress instead of defeat?

It's a whole mindset change. 

Can I make the change? I don't yet know. I will have to ponder this. 

And I will ponder it. 

I'll make a list of my struggles and see the opportunities for growth. For ministry. 

I'll look how God has used my trials in the past and how he is using them now. 

I choose to ponder and think. To ask God for guidance. 

So now I also want to show you a picture of part of my family on the beach. 

This is one of my nieces, two nephews, and my son together. They have so much fun with each other. I love them all. The skin color doesn't matter to me because we are family. 

I would hope that this picture would make Frederick smile. To see the results of his work, where people are free and family. Determined not by the color of their skin, but by love. 



(Feel free to share the quote picture. All I ask is that you keep it in tact and link back to this post if possible.)



Tweetable: If There is no Struggle quote by Frederick Douglass (click to tweet)



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