By Drake Hunter | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice
Suffering and flourishing may seem like opposites, yet they often walk hand-in-hand. Some of our deepest growth springs up from our darkest trials.
Just look at Christian history: Jesus’ suffering wasn’t a detour, but a central part of His journey— and many of His earliest followers faced the ultimate cost for their faith. Their sacrifices remind us that we, too, share in Christ’s suffering. When Jesus spoke of drinking of the same cup and being baptized similarly (Mark 10:39), He invited us to follow Him even through suffering, knowing that it has the power to transform us and resurrect us to a new life.
So, when suffering hits, we shouldn’t be caught off guard. Life inevitably comes with challenges that test us to our core. Standing firm in faith means bracing ourselves against forces that oppose God’s love and purpose in our lives. As painful as they are, these struggles refine us, pushing us forward and anchoring us in faith. Our trials don’t defeat us — they can be stepping stones to victory, strengthening our faith and resilience and empowering us to overcome all circumstances, situations and people (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
What do we mean by “suffering”? It’s the pain that touches our body, mind and soul, often leaving scars but also stretching our capacity for faith and resilience. Think of those who have inspired us with their strength in adversity: the Apostle Paul, who persevered despite relentless opposition; Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who held to his faith amid immense hardship; and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who courageously endured for justice. Their journeys show us what it means to suffer well.
The question we face is, how can we navigate suffering without letting it overwhelm us? First, we must hold fast to believing God is entirely in control. America’s motto, “In God We Trust,” echoes this assurance, yet we’re called to take it further and let it deeply root in our lives.
For Christians, the mind is a powerful tool for weathering suffering. We are called to have the mind of Christ — a mindset that sees suffering but isn’t consumed by it (Matthew 5:3-12). Many people live under the weight of suffering, seeing it as an unavoidable part of life. But as Christ’s followers, we’ve been saved and transformed by God’s healing power. We can acknowledge our pain without letting it define us.
Paul’s call in Ephesians 6 to put on the “Armor of God” is our marching order. He tells us to wear the “Helmet of Salvation” to protect our minds and the “shoes of readiness” to take meaningful action (verses 10-18). Suffering, then, becomes a call to resilience and righteousness, not just for our growth but for the good of others. It’s a call that inspires us to rise above our circumstances and make a positive and healthy impact on you, me and everyone.
Let us come together to endure hardships, troubles and problems as our Lord and Savior did sufficiently, finding strength and purpose in our trials for the glory of God, where we all just believe in suffering well.
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Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.