A Life Without Struggle

Last updated on: March 7, 2025 at 11:08 am by Richard E. Simmons III

A Life Without Struggle 2025-03-07T11:08:54-06:00 Richard E. Simmons III

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I think one of the reasons people pursue great wealth is they think it will eliminate problems in their life, believing that money can act as a cure-all for their problems. However, the truth is, when life does become difficult, no amount of money can truly shield them from life’s inevitable struggles.

There’s an interesting true story that Charles Colson tells. Colson was special counsel to President Nixon and spent seven months in prison because of Watergate. When he got out of prison, instead of going back to politics, Colson started a ministry called Prison Fellowship. It’s a wonderful organization. He was invited to come down to South Florida to the home of a very wealthy couple. They had this beautiful home, you could look out on the water and see the ocean, and they invited all their friends, and had a big tent set up in the backyard looking out over the ocean. Colson was invited to speak.

He shared with them the work that he did in prisons. He said his message seemed to be received with indifference. When he was finished, they applauded and it was what he called respectful, but unenthusiastic. Colson said the hostess then said, “What about questions?” He answered questions about President Nixon, and questions about Watergate. He said there was a man in the back who put his hand up, leaning against the pole of the tent. He said, “Mr. Colson, as you can see, all of us here live a very good life. None of us, of course, have experiences like yours, going from the White House to prison. What would you say to people like us who have no problems in life?” Colson was somewhat stunned as he stared at the man, and he responded, “I’ve yet to meet anyone who didn’t have problems and if people at this party were without problems,” he said, “I’d really like to talk to them afterward to find out how they managed it.”

Colson went on to tell him he could see the surroundings were indeed regal, and that the guests obviously had all of the so-called good things in life, “But I question your premise. For example, sir, what are you going to think on your deathbed when you’re lying there knowing that all this is about to go away?” Colson said it was like someone had hit this man in the stomach. He was pained and crumpled and this awkward silence fell over the room. Finally, the hostess stepped in and thanked everybody for coming.

“But this is what’s interesting. For the next hour, I stood there listening to people’s tales of woe: divorce, family squabbles, civil suits, drugs, wayward kids, the works. No one accepted my invitation to explain how life can become problem-free. No one under that tent lived such a life. The attitude was a pure façade,” Colson said.

It is crucial to know that life is full of struggles, regardless of your income level. The reason is because we live in a broken world. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). We are also told there are consequences for our sins, we will always reap what we sow.

The problem is that most men do not want anyone to know how they are struggling with anything in life. We falsely believe that the strong men do not struggle or have any fears. We learn how to fake it through life.

Healthy men are those who acknowledge their problems and seek to get well. They run towards their problems, not away from them. They seek wise counsel when necessary. The most healthy men I know look reality in the eye and act upon what they see and it often requires great courage.

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.

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