Very easy at first, containing current struggle (3)
I believe the answer is:
vie
'struggle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'very easy at first containing current' is the wordplay.
'at first' indicates taking the first letters.
'containing' is an insertion indicator.
'current' becomes 'I' (symbol for electric current).
The first letters of 'very easy' is 've'.
've' going around 'i' is 'VIE'.
(Other definitions for vie that I've seen before include "Contend, compete" , "Engage in rivalry" , "Eagerly compete" , "Jockey" , "contest" .)