FreedomTalk Magazine September, 2026 pages 10-12
It is somehow helpful to me that the Bible is brutally honest about suffering.
If Scripture presented something resembling a prosperity gospel worldview—one in which sufficient faith inevitably produces health, wealth, comfort, and success—I would dismiss it out of hand. That simply isn’t the world we inhabit.
Instead, the Bible warns that those who follow the path of righteousness will be persecuted. It has the audacity to declare that we are blessed when we suffer for righteousness’ sake. Jesus even takes it to the point of seeming absurdity: “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad.” (Exceedingly glad? Really?!!)
Yet Scripture also makes allowance for our humanity. Paul admitted that he and his companions were “burdened beyond measure, above strength,” to the point that they “despaired even of life.” Jeremiah became so distraught that he launched into a long lament about wishing he had never been born. (Today he’d be referred for counseling…and perhaps some Prozac.)
These were not perfect saints wearing painted smiles. They were exhausted, wounded human beings who experienced fear, depression, betrayal, and despair. Yet they continued to speak against evil and corruption. Their pain did not invalidate their faith; it revealed how costly faithfulness can be.
The most shocking truth of all is that God Himself entered this miserable world. He was born into poverty during an age without running water, antibiotics, refrigeration, or even—gasp—ChatGPT. He came as a servant when everyone expected a king.
Many still don’t understand. His Kingdom is not of this world; His throne is not in Washington, D.C., Israel or any human kingdom, but in the hearts and minds of His people.
Standing against evil as Ambassadors of that Kingdom has cost many of us dearly. My own family continues struggling to survive after being targeted and persecuted for refusing to bow to corrupt power and lies.
Those losses are not inconsequential. They cannot be brushed aside with platitudes and positive affirmations. For some Christians, “God has a plan for you” has included being sawn in half, burned alive, or fed to lions. The plan for the Son of God meant enduring the most painful and humiliating death the ancient world could devise.
Yet none of those atrocities has silenced the message of hope, salvation, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil—the promise that one day every tear will be wiped away.
Though my soul would not have chosen this road, the only way past suffering is through it. The One who staked His life upon the hope beyond the pain claims that the destination will justify the painful journey. He would know.
Those who take the broad path leading to destruction may seem to be the lucky ones. They may prosper through lies, cruelty, compromise, and corruption.
But at what cost? Everything. They have their reward and it’s as evanescent as the morning dew.
I continue to pray for restoration in this life—that what we have lost while confronting the monsters and demagogues of this shattered decade will somehow be restored. I am weary of waiting. I am weary of wondering how we will make it through another month.
I turned 57 on the 14th. I would like whatever years remain to be lived in abundance. Yet I cannot always look thirty years ahead when I am simply trying to survive today. For now, I have only enough light for the step I’m on.
But when my last day comes, I will know that I lived a true life—that I allowed Him to work through even my weakness, weariness, and doubt. There may be no earthly awards for our unseen battles, but God knows. God sees.
There is a crown waiting for those with the courage and commitment to stand before the corrupt kingdoms of this world and say, “no.”
Carry on, warrior, and lift your eyes. Those who prosper through evil have only darkness ahead. But your redemption—and your reward—await.
