Suffer Well

Being chosen by God isn’t an easy road, but a fulfilled one. We always say “tomorrow,” but for some of us, tomorrow never comes. We are not promised tomorrow.

Choose the road less traveled.

The "road less traveled" in the Bible refers to the narrow, difficult path of following Jesus, contrasted with the easy, popular road to destruction. Found in Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus teaches that while many follow the broad path, few find the narrow way that leads to life. Choosing the narrow road emphasizes obedience, faith, and righteousness over popular culture.

The “road less traveled” will lead to suffering. That suffering will sometimes mean being left out, being ridiculed, being laughed at, being lonely, and being in despair. There might even be more extreme suffering, such as physical persecution. The narrow path is not the popular one, and it is not chosen by very many people. It might require you to leave your friends and your family behind who are not following the narrow path. It might also require you to leave behind other things that made you happy in the past or people who were important to you (but are not good for you).

Despite the suffering, the “road less traveled” is the best choice, the right choice, the ideal choice. This life is short, and the destination is forever.

Suffering well invites us to use obstacles and problems as opportunities for growing, strengthening, adapting, and changing. But most of all, it lets God have His way with us. 

About ten years ago, I would not have understood these words. These words would have sounded crazy to me and would have gone over my head. I would not have understood how suffering could be a good thing and could lead to good results. But after going through suffering, I began to understand. I began to see new things. I began to learn and grow. It didn’t happen overnight. It took time and thought and reflection and prayer. I came to realize that my suffering didn’t just happen TO me it also happened FOR me. I would never have chosen my suffering but, today, I say that God used it for good.
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