The call to follow Christ is not an exemption from suffering but rather an invitation to walk through it differently.

…We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:8-9 NIV

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” MATTHEW 26:36-41 NLT

DON’T ISOLATE: INVITE OTHERS INTO THE STRUGGLE

One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom. Proverbs 18:1 CSB

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:30 NLT

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 NLT

“The Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

DON’T PRETEND: BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR PAIN

“Jesus did not face death with stoic indifference… He faced it with screams and tears. If the Son of God was allowed to be ‘overwhelmed,’ why do we think we aren’t?” Timothy Keller

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. HEBREWS 4:15-16 NLT

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. JOHN 1:5 ESV

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. 44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” MATTHEW 26:42-46 NLT

DON’T RUN: SURRENDER TO THE FATHER’S WILL

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. MATTHEW 16:24-25 NLT

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. ISAIAH 55:8 NLT

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. JAMES 4:7-8 NLT

“The will of God is not a place you go, but a person you surrender to.” Elizabeth Elliot