Going Through Hell: How Real Men Endure Fire Without Burning Out
TODAY’S FOCUS IS: Standing Firm When Life Feels Like War
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." —Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Let’s be real, warrior—there are seasons in a man’s life when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
⚠️ The bills keep piling up.
⚠️ The job gets unstable.
⚠️ Your marriage feels cold or fragile.
⚠️ Your health? Declining.
⚠️ Your soul? Worn thin.
You feel like you're walking through hell, and the temptation to give in or numb out is overwhelming.
But hear me now: if you’re going through hell, it’s not time to quit—it’s time to walk like a son of the King.
This Is the Fight You Were Born For
Too many men think the Christian life is supposed to be easy. That once you follow Jesus, it’s smooth sailing. That’s a lie. Following Jesus doesn't remove the fire—it gives you a purpose in the fire.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” —1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)
God’s not punishing you, brother. He’s preparing you. Refining you. Molding you.
You see, pain isn't the enemy. Quitting is. Numbing out is. Running from God in the middle of the battle? That’s when you lose.
But standing firm? Trusting anyway? Calling on the name of the Lord when it feels like no one else sees your fight?
That’s what separates warriors from wanderers.
The Full Trinity Is With You in the Fire
When you're suffering—when life’s turned into war—you’re not alone.
1. The Father is still sovereign.
God sees your pain, and He is not indifferent. He is not distant. In fact, He allowed this hardship for a reason. He’s shaping something in you that couldn't be formed without the fire.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” —James 1:2-3 (ESV)
2. The Son has walked through worse.
Jesus Christ isn’t offering cheap encouragement from the sidelines. He walked through hell itself—He died, descended into Hades, and rose again victorious.
“I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” —Revelation 1:18 (ESV)
He holds the keys. That means He has authority over what you’re facing, no matter how hopeless it seems.
3. The Spirit is right there, inside you.
You don’t need to summon strength from nowhere. You have resurrection power in your very bones. The Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you... he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” —Romans 8:11 (ESV)
Okay, So What Do We Do?
Let’s stop pretending we’re fine when we’re breaking.
Let’s stop isolating and numbing when God is trying to strengthen and equip.
If you’re in the fire right now, here’s your 3-part battle plan:
1. Trust the Father’s Plan.
Declare it even if you don’t feel it: “God is working all things together for my good.”
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good...” —Romans 8:28 (ESV)
2. Follow the King’s Lead.
Jesus already conquered death and hell. He knows the path through this. Stay close to His words. Re-read the Gospels. Anchor to His promises.
3. Ask the Spirit for Strength.
Don’t try to white-knuckle this on your own. Get on your knees and pray, “Holy Spirit, fill me with Your strength today.” Then stand up and walk like a man who knows the power of God lives in him.
And if you’re not in the fire right now, then pray anyway. Get on your knees for a brother who is. And prepare yourself—because we all walk through fire eventually.
Let’s Pray
Father, I don’t understand everything I’m going through. But I trust You. I believe You’re with me in the fire. Jesus, You’ve walked through hell so I could walk through this. Teach me to follow You step by step. Holy Spirit, fill me now. I need Your strength to stand, to breathe, to keep moving. Make me into the man You’re calling me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Challenge of the Week
Write down your top struggle right now.
Don’t avoid it. Don’t pretend it’s not there.
Name it. Stare it down.
Then, speak this out loud every day this week:
“I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” —Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
You’re not walking through this alone. You never were.
Let’s Get To Work!
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