Finding Strength in Suffering: A Journey of Hope

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 [ESV])

People have been going off to war for at least 5,000 years.

Most of us return from the experience stronger than we were before it.

Whether you were the one who went or the one who stayed… whether you went to war or deployed to keep peace… I’m sure you can classify much of this experience as suffering.

But I pray that in your suffering, God has shown you some things: things about yourself, things about those around you, and, most importantly, things about him.

How has God used this suffering to grow your character? One of the things that people affirm in my character is a calm, even-keeled demeanor. While there are a lot of things that have contributed to that characteristic, my three deployments are a big part of it. What is that for you?

How has God used this experience to increase endurance and hope? Do you remember those days of the deployment that you just didn’t think you would last one more day? But then you did. Enduring through difficult things and coming out on the other side builds a deep-seated hope that will carry us through the next difficulty our Sovereign Lord has for us.

What have you learned about God? Do not miss this one dear friend. I pray that God has revealed himself to you in powerful ways over the past year. Do not miss these truths; they will carry you forward!

How has God changed you? Think about the person you were one year ago compared with the person you are now. What has changed? Take time to praise God for his work in you.

How has God used you in other people’s lives? This one can be difficult in Christian circles because it feels prideful. But God has good works for the Christian (Ephesians 2:10), and God calls us to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) in the lives of others. Who has benefited from your godly influence over the past year? Thank God for that opportunity!

My final prayer for you is that you see this deployment journey as a gift from your loving Heavenly Father. I know that at many points along the way, it did not feel like a gift, but I pray that you can now see it that way. I pray that you have experienced God’s love being poured into you through his Holy Spirit in the midst of your darkest days.

I am so proud of you for completing this journey.

I am so thankful that you have invited me to walk it with you.

I love you guys,

Brian O’Day

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