Struggling to Fly

I remember a lesson from school that a poor caterpillar has to struggle to work it's way out of a cocoon that it spun around itself when developing into a butterfly, sometimes they don't get out all the way, but they must all struggle to break free. It seems so cruel for the poor creature to have to struggle so hard just to be able to survive, but there is a reason for the struggle. You see, the struggles allow the butterfly to strengthen it's wings, so it can fly, once free from the cocoon. All of it's beauty is on display, once it is victorious.
We may look to the butterfly to understand a principle in our Christian life of struggle, as it relates to growing in maturity in Christ Jesus. We struggle to break free from our own cocoon of self-absorption, narcissism of the highest order. We are taught as caterpillars that everything revolves around us and what is best for us and our lives, we must work to fulfill these dreams, but once we have been born of a new creation we must break free from this cocoon that insulates us from the life that our Lord has in store for us. The sad thing is, in order for us to exist and live as that new creature in Christ, we must struggle to break free from our own cocoon.
You see, if the butterfly were to get help breaking free, it's wings will not develop in the strength they need to fly and survive. The lesson is this: while it is difficult it is certainly not impossible, and it is part of the maturing process for the beautiful butterfly to be seen in all of it's splendor. We must also work to break free from our hardened heart, and allow our "spiritual wings" to develop into full strength for the mission we are given to fulfill in Him. We cannot even begin to live in the fullness of what we were created to be and do until we mature in Christ. Thank God, we have a helper within the cocoon to help us in our struggle, the Holy Spirit of God, that our loving Savior sent back for us to give us comfort and encouragement to continue with the fight. We know that we struggle against principalities and powers of the unseen, but all we must do is continue fighting and we will always be victorious in Jesus, of that there is no doubt.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.-1 Corinthians 10:13
Once you begin your life with new wings then put on the full armor of God and stand against the wiles of the enemy.