A young boy with a kite stands in a gusty field, struggling against the wind. The kite dips and dives, threatening to break loose, but the boy holds tight to the string. The harder the wind blows, the higher the kite climbs. What the boy knows—and what we often forget—is that the resistance of the wind is what gives the kite its lift. Without the struggle, the kite would never soar.
Life’s challenges often feel like those winds, threatening to pull us apart. Yet, in God’s hands, those very struggles can help us grow stronger, deeper, and closer to Him. As Paul, who was no stranger to pain, wrote, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 5:3-4). Pain and suffering, though deeply unwelcome, are powerful tools in God’s toolkit for building spiritual endurance. The Bible is clear that trials are part of life’s journey, but they are never without purpose.
God’s work in our suffering can be understood in three ways: through discipline, depth, and demonstration. Let’s explore how these elements shape our spiritual lives.
1. Discipline: A Loving Father’s Correction
Like a loving parent disciplining a child, God uses suffering to correct and guide us back to Him. His discipline is never punitive, for Christ has already borne the punishment for our sins. Instead, it is restorative, meant to shape our character and redirect our steps when we stray.
The writer of Hebrews captures this beautifully: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6). This discipline, though painful at the moment, is evidence of God’s love and commitment to our growth.
Consider King David’s life. After his grave sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah, David faced intense personal suffering. His repentance, recorded in Psalm 51, shows a heart broken by sin but restored by God’s grace. David’s trials served to deepen his relationship with God, leaving him as a man remembered for seeking God’s heart (1 Sam 13:14).
In our own lives, discipline can take many forms. It might be the consequence of our actions or an opportunity to recognize areas where we’ve grown self-reliant. Whatever the case, God uses these moments to refine us, much like a trainer who pushes an athlete to build strength and stamina. Through God’s discipline, we are made spiritually fit.
2. Depth: Drawing Closer to God
Pain has a way of stripping away distractions, forcing us to confront life’s most pressing questions. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain.” Indeed. In suffering, we often encounter God in ways that ease and comfort cannot provide.
The story of Job offers a profound example of how suffering can deepen our faith. Job lost everything—his wealth, health, and family. In his despair, he wrestled with God, asking hard
questions about His justice and sovereignty. Yet, through his trials, Job’s understanding of God grew. By the end, Job could say, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you” (Job 42:5).
Modern examples like Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic since a diving accident at age 17, echo this truth. Her physical suffering led her to rely on God in ways she never imagined. Reflecting on her journey, she wrote, “It has increased my faith. It has strengthened my hope of heaven, and it’s made me love [God] so much more.” Through her suffering, Joni discovered a deeper joy and peace that physical healing could never provide.
When trials come, we have a choice: to turn away from God in frustration or to lean into Him, allowing suffering to deepen our faith. Like spiritual resistance training, hardship strengthens us, preparing us for the battles ahead.
3. Demonstration: A Testimony of Faith in Darkness
Adversity provides a unique platform to demonstrate the sufficiency of Christ to a watching world. When believers endure suffering with faith and hope, their lives testify to the greatness of God, whose grace is enough even in life’s darkest moments.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify this in the fiery furnace (Dan 3). Facing death, they boldly declared, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods” (Dan 3:17-18). Their unwavering faith inspired King Nebuchadnezzar to praise the God of Israel, whose power was revealed through their trial.
Similarly, our responses to suffering can serve as a beacon of hope to others. When we find our identity, purpose, and satisfaction in Christ—not in health, wealth, or success—our faith becomes a powerful testimony. Paul Tripp writes, “No pain or loss can take that satisfaction away.”
Think about it. In the realm of sports and competition, the most inspiring stories often come from those who have overcome great odds. The same is true in the realm of spiritual growth and fitness. Christians who persevere through suffering demonstrate the sustaining power of God’s grace, encouraging others to trust Him.
The Wounded Surgeon
One of the most comforting truths about Christianity is that our God is not distant from our pain. He is the wounded surgeon, as theologian Peter Kreeft puts it—a God who heals through shared suffering. Christ bore our pain on the cross, not from a position of detachment but through the ultimate act of empathy and love.
As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). Christ’s wounds speak to our wounds, offering healing that is both profound and personal. When we face trials, therefore, we can find solace in knowing that our Savior understands our pain. He walks with us, not as an observer but as one who has borne the weight of suffering Himself.
A Call to Persevere
Our moments of pain and suffering often seem senseless, but they are not purposeless. God uses them to discipline us, deepen our faith, and demonstrate His glory to the world. As James encourages us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (Jms 1:2-3).
If you’re in a season of suffering, take heart. God is with you, shaping you through the storm and preparing you for greater spiritual strength. And if you’re not currently facing trials, build the habits of faith and perseverance that will sustain you when difficulties arise.
Let us, like the boy with the kite, lean into the winds of life’s challenges, trusting that God will use them to lift us higher and closer to Him. Through His grace, our pain becomes a platform for endurance, hope, and a testimony of His unchanging goodness.