It’s understandable that St. Paul equates our journey to heaven with athletes competing in a race, because victory in athletics requires pain.
As in sports, suffering in life is inevitable. In this fallen world, before the restoration and transformation of the Second Coming, we are certain to face times of physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual pain.
Thankfully, Jesus perfectly models how to navigate these trials. He uniquely understands our pain, because He chose to suffer with and for us. Jesus never promises a comfortable or suffering-free life. Rather, He consistently reassures his followers that the pain of this world is fleeting, redemptive, and within divine providence:
I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (Jn 16:33)
With the assurance of Jesus’ absolute trustworthiness and his personal experience of indescribable suffering on the cross, Scripture reminds us to walk with the Lord in difficult times:
My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Accept whatever happens to you; in periods of humiliation be patient. For in fire gold is tested, and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation. (Sir 2:1, 4-5, NABRE)
We should not be surprised when things are hard. Human beings are remarkably adept at creating situations of profound pain, confusion, and sorrow. During these times, we must remember that God considers us as gold! Garbage is destroyed in a fire, but gold emerges from the blazing heat purer and more valuable.
Situations of discomfort and pain, when offered to the Lord in humble obedience, can uniquely strip us of worldly attachments, reorient disordered desires, and help us cling to Jesus as the only source of unwavering joy and peace.
I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. . . . We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him. (Rom 8:18, 28)
God can bring tremendous blessing and good out of every circumstance, but we wouldn’t always choose his timing or methods. When walking through difficult times, a disciple simultaneously remembers the eternal glory that’s coming and harvests each, often little, blessing in the here and now. Disciples are called to hold in tension the reality of deep pain here, immeasurable joy to come, and the promise of goodness throughout!
Jesus wants us to invite Him into every circumstance. He might choose to heal you immediately, resolve it over time, or wait until heaven for the ultimate restoration. Everything is possible with Him, so we should surrender everything to his will and gratefully receive and follow whatever He says and does.
A loving, intimate relationship with God transforms our suffering. Deep and abiding love sustains us in our weakness, motivates us towards virtuous habits, and reminds us of who we belong to and his indisputable trustworthiness.
Fruitfully and peacefully navigating hardships is impossible without a consistent, relational connection with Jesus. Allowing Him to be the lord of our lives rightly orders things so that we can walk by his perspective,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2)
This article originally appeared in Renewal Ministries March 2025 newsletter. Subscribe here!
Pete Burak is vice president of Renewal Ministries. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship, evangelization, and young adult topics, and he is the co-director of Pine Hills Boys Camp. Pete and his wife, Cait, have five children.
rmartin@renewalministries.net
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