What does it mean?

There is a God-given reason and a purpose for everything, both good and bad, in life. The best, and perhaps the only, way to get through the "down" times is to find the purpose of the struggle and to learn the lessons (yes lessons - plural) from the "down" times. Struggles may be a result of un-addressed sin in our lives, but that is not always the case. In fact, I think for most believers that is not the case. Many times, when believers struggle, God is trying to get their attention, reveal to them, and teach them something AWESOME which will also bless others in their sphere of influence when applied correctly. We MUST see these struggles as opportunities to grow and not just obstacles to overcome. Mountains may look big and menacing while they're in front of us but they are often soon forgotten after they're conquered. When we face struggles God wants to show and teach us something that we will not forget after we've passed through to the other side. The perceived difficulty of the trial will fade once it has passed but the lessons learned must remain. Find the purpose in whatever you are facing today. Ask God to show you what you need to be learning through it. Look for ways to bless others with what you are learning.