I can’t lie, I have a passionate distaste for the winter season, and I’ll explain why. First, it’s dark. Daylight gets put on a timer, and longer nights stretch like shadows over many people’s joy. Second, it’s cold. Even though I was born in December, I have never enjoyed weather that makes my ears get chilly, and my soul crave sunlight. The trees are bare, losing their leaves, and the parks are empty because people hibernate. Yet, winter is also a time to reflect and recover, rest, reset, re-boot and be restored.
“Elijah does come first and restores all things. Yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He should suffer many things and be treated with contempt?”
~Mark 9:12
In God’s storyline, suffering is rarely a detour—more often, it’s a doorway to elevation.
The first example I can think of as a parallel to this passage of scripture is Joseph, since we just completed our study on his life. He had dreams of greatness but lived in years of darkness, betrayed, imprisoned, and seemingly forgotten, though never by God. Joseph’s restoration to rulership came after years of unjust suffering. In the end, however, he could make the statement to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
Sometimes, it seems certain people have to endure suffering to get to things that come easily to others. For Hannah, her rival’s torment didn’t break her… it built her. It drove her to fasting and fervent prayer before elevation came. Suffering, then restoration. Pain, then promotion. Because when God elevates, it’s proof you’ve been prepared.
Now let’s talk about the biblical meaning of suffering, since sometimes people get that wrong. No, suffering is not supposed to be pleasant, but it’s meant to be productive. “If indeed we suffer with Him, we’ll also reign/be glorified with Him.” We remember that after suffering only a little while —not forever —the Grace of God restores, confirms, strengthens, and establishes us. We can only be tested once we are trusted, but the good news is that once we’ve passed the test, we rarely have need of a retake; we are complete and lacking in nothing. Let’s not forget that even our leader, the G.O.A.T.—Jesus—endured the cross before He wore the crown. I often think of it as the order of the breaking of the bread— He took the bread, He blessed it, He broke it… Then he multiplied it. And friend, you and I are the bread. A seed must be buried before it can rise.
In today’s culture, we’re wired to flee anything uncomfortable… built for speed, not endurance. But kingdom citizens were made to glow in the dark. This doesn’t mean we glorify pain; it simply means we understand the process. True discipleship means walking with Jesus even when some rejection may mark the way. In order to be successful in our journey of kingdom lifestyle, we’ll have to unlearn the idea that favor isn’t a free pass from pain; it’s often what walks with us through it. Often, it’s through what we endure that our testimony gains weight.
Don’t misread your story because it didn’t unfold the way you pictured. I’ve had more than one opportunity to believe God forgot about me. Divorce wasn’t on my vision board. Neither was raising kids alone or facing rejection on repeat these last two years in my search for another position, and let’s not even get into the loss of my mother and the toll that took on me. I simply realize that through all these things, Jesus forms and shapes the dynamic story I get to tell. When I tell people the story of my oldest daughter, they marvel. But I know that in all those things I don’t just walk through hardship, I walk to glory… Always keeping my eyes on Jesus, I realize He causes all things to work together for my good. David ran from Saul before he ruled Israel…proof that no pain is pointless.
Time of Reflection:
**Before exaltation comes preparation—sometimes that includes pain.
**The greatest power often rises from the deepest surrender.
Heart Probe Moment
**Where have I resisted God’s process because I didn’t expect suffering to be part of His plan?
Scripture References:
Mark 9:12
Isaiah 53:3-5
Rom 8:17-18
Heb 5:8
1 Pt 4:12-13
Gen 50:20
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, I thank You for showing us that suffering doesn’t cancel our callings… it often confirms it. Help me to trust Your process, even when it feels hidden and hard. Refine me through the fire, shape me in the shadows, and remind me that You are always near. Let my suffering serve a purpose and bring You glory. Amen
