God uses pain to move us out of our comfort zone so that we can mature and grow; suffering is the catalyst for change. Living godly lives actually invites persecution; we therefore must expect it. Trusting in and relying on God in the midst of trouble strengthens us and transforms us into the image of Christ. When something uncomfortable shows up, we must not simply meekly accept suffering without doing anything about it; it is in the resistance against it that we are strengthened. God will not remove the spiritual lion’s den or the fiery furnace we find ourselves in, but He will join us in it and never let us go through it alone. In the middle of what we are fighting, laying hold of Jesus and His Word helps us win the fight.
