Man oh man, a part of me doesn’t even feel right typing this, but I have to be obedient to the Lord even when times are not as fun. So being a Christian, one of the gifts of the Spirit is longsuffering. What does that mean? Longsuffering: having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

Hold on, let me say a quick prayer real quick...
Alright bet—let me speak on topic of suffering.

First things first, this is something they wasn't teaching us back in the day. They was preaching to us that as soon as you come to Christ, your life is gonna be okay. There's going to be no more attack, all the above. Right?? So most new Christians are coming into the faith believing this… but this is not the case.

So I’m gonna talk to y’all about the things we don’t hear about, the things you may not see in an IG reel or that’s influential…

Suffering is a big part of the package. Point blank period. I’m not here to glorify it, or make it seem pretty—because it ain’t. And guess what? Your suffering is specifically catered to you. So you may not go through the things that other people go through, but in your walk, we all have a wilderness.

Look at the greats in the Bible. Starting with our #1 MVP—Jesus Christ.

Jesus was led BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness after He was baptized, where He was tested by the devil.

Pause. I just want everyone to hear what I just said. We talking about Jesus being tested… we talking about Jesus being betrayed by His own disciple, who walked with Him and saw His miracles firsthand. He saw them with his own eyes and still turned his back.

We talking about the same Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead!
We talking about the same Jesus that fed thousands on thousands… 5,000 at that, with just 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.
We talking about Jesus suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and being filled with grief as He is about to go get on a cross as an innocent man, to die for the sins of those who, at that moment, turned their back. Some didn’t, but some did. Let’s clock that.

So we would be FOOLISHHHHH to think that if Jesus went through it, we’re not going to get a little taste of that?

Better yet, let’s talk about after...
Do you not know most of the disciples in the New Testament—except for John—were martyred? And that was the end of their suffering. Paul went through it. Stephen went through it. Peter went through it. James went through it. The list continues… I would talk about the Old Testament but I’ma let that ride. I’ll drop some stories on that below.

Furthermore, let’s get to it.
For me, I’ve been battling with talking about this topic with y’all for some time, because I was going back and forth with God saying, “I don’t think I’m qualified to talk about this,” because I feel like I’m going through it now. And me knowing that suffering is something that is going to happen and come at different times in our life, I’m like—what’s the point?? I don’t know what to tell people.

You got the greatest Christians out here saying the same thing I’m saying… what advice can we give?

But that’s when He advised me to just speak on it.

So let’s speak.
Whenever you come to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into you and rests in you, and He gives you a peace that surpasses all understanding. And you good. You feel good. Your life is changing for the better. You living. You joyful. You peaceful. You have patience, you have kindness, you have goodness… all the fruit of the Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest helpers—period.

So as I was talking to God, I was venting and expressing my emotions. I was saying how sometimes I understand why people go back… and the reason is because everybody doesn’t have the Holy Spirit. Everybody doesn’t have that anchor in them that pulls when times get tough. And sometimes it’s still hard even if you have the anchor, but at least you got that anchor. At least you got some support—the best support actually.

So I’m not gonna speak to you about specific trials because Ik that everyone’s life is different, but I’m gonna give you some advice on how to combat them when they come:

1. Accept Jesus as your Savior

Ask for the Holy Spirit to come into your life.

2. Get on your knees and pray

When I say pray—I mean pray. Tell God how you feel. Be serious with Him, like someone standing right there—because He is close to the brokenhearted.

3. Don’t act on your emotions—EVER.

Go to God. Tell Him how you feel. If you need to reach out to someone, tell them. Cry out to Him.
Read the Psalms—see how David is honest with God about how he’s feeling.
This is part of the prayer one, but I need you to understand—I’m serious about you being for real with Him. Cry to Him! Before you go to anybody—cry to Him. Cry it out.
If you’re a guy—cry it out. Give God your heart. Petition to Him what you need. Ask Him for help. Tell Him you can’t do it in your own strength.

4. Take every thought captive

Hold it to the obedience of Christ. Not every thought is your thought—don’t be deceived. Ask yourself, “Would God say that to me?”
Punch them thoughts in your head. Bring them down. Don’t let them linger. Rebuke them.

Let me tell you something:
God is not mean. He will not shame you—remember that. He is love, and He loves you. He has steadfast love for you, and He is always with you.

5. Don’t go to social media

Go to church! Go to a community event if you can. Take a walk.

6. Turn on some worship music

Not no R&B, not no blues, definitely not no Mariah The Scientist or Rod Wave… that’s how the enemy gets you trapped in that space (we’ll talk about that another day).

7. Don’t have itchy ears

It’s so easy in this moment of suffering to search for prosperity.
I’m not talking about motivational videos (those are okay), but I’m talking about videos of people preaching lies to you.
Videos telling you you’re going through something because of zodiac signs, or the moon, or the universe… all this new age stuff—stop it. Don’t fall into the trap. (I’ll speak more on that one day as well.)

8. Release control

Let it go and give it to God. Don’t try to manipulate anything or bear false witness—just give it to Him.

9. Ask God what He wants you to do

Every step of the way, until you’re out of it.
If you’re feeling led to fast—fast. And when you fast, don’t be telling nobody you fasting!

10. Clean your space

The best you can lol. Take a nice shower, wash your face—do what you can.

11. Be good and faithful

Don’t let what you’re facing leak into other people. Be mindful of how you speak to them. Do everything with love. Be humble, and just chuck it out.

12. Sometimes you just gotta be like Elijah…

Eat a meal and take a nap.
Go on the Bible app and play the Psalms while you’re sleeping, boo—because sometimes the enemy does try to come in while you sleep to sow bad seeds. Just be cautious. Bring every dream to God! Don’t accept every dream!

All in all, those are just some tips that can help a little.
And always remember: His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

God already knows who we are.
Sometimes in those trials, He’s just trying to reveal to us our faith in that certain circumstance.

So here’s the tea:
There’s only two sides to this war. You have the ways of this world—whose leader is the enemy—and you have God’s side.
There is no fence. The fence belongs to Satan.
So if you’re in-between—guess what—you know what’s up.

I don’t want to go into this too much, but just know—even if you on the enemy’s side—he doesn’t mess with you. He’s trying to kill you, literally, and steal and destroy all the things God has for you in this life.
He does not like you. Point. Blank. Period.
He does a bait-and-switch every single time. Don’t fall for his trap.

Follow Jesus, because He is your only help.
Like Isaiah 45:5 says:

“I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.”

C’mon with it.
The war is already over! Hello?? We already know who wins. Read Revelations boo, you will see it all!

Now I do want to make this clear: Satan is not God’s equal counterpart. He is a fallen angel… a defeated foe. Don’t get it twisted.

Don’t think in this life you’re not gonna suffer. And don’t think just because he promises you power and all the above, that you’re good. I told you — he plays the bait and switch every time. Don’t be a fool to it.

In this life, you gonna suffer, but you need Jesus to help you. You need Jesus to be there for you. You need Jesus to save you. And let me tell you — He will always save you. Better yet, He HAS saved you.

Go ahead and get you the Holy Spirit. YOU NEED THAT.

I’m also gonna leave you with this, God is always with you in the suffering.

I also want to give you guys some Bible for real. I’m going to showcase some Old Testament stories first then tap in to some advice from some disciples from the New Testament after.

 Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6)

Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for praying to God — but God shut the lions’ mouths and kept him safe.
God will protect you when you stay faithful.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3)

They refused to bow to an idol and were thrown into a fiery furnace — but God showed up in the fire with them and they came out unharmed.
God doesn’t always take you out the fire, but He walks with you through it.

David Running from Saul (1 Samuel 19–24)

David was chosen by God but had to flee for his life from King Saul — he hid in caves and ran for years. Still, God kept him and fulfilled His promise.
 Even when it feels delayed, God’s purpose for you will come to pass.

 Elijah on the Run (1 Kings 19)

After standing boldly for God, Elijah ran away scared and depressed. But God met him in his lowest place, not with fire or noise — but with a whisper.
God knows how to comfort you when you’re tired and broken.

Esther Saves Her People (Esther 3–8)

The Jews were about to be destroyed, but Esther had the courage to speak up to the king. God gave her favor and saved the people.
God positions you for a purpose, even when it’s scary.

 Israelites in the Wilderness (Exodus–Deuteronomy)

God delivered Israel from Egypt, but they spent 40 years in the wilderness complaining and disobeying. Yet God fed them, led them, and never left them.
Even when you mess up, God doesn’t abandon His people.

Joseph in Prison (Genesis 37–50)

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and wrongly imprisoned. But God was with him, and in time made him ruler in Egypt to save many lives.
What others meant for evil, God uses for good.

Few Bible verses from my previous readings last week:

 Hebrews 12:6-7 (NIV)

“Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.”

 Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:12 (NIV)

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold…—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Also, tap in to the Bible study coming up! We may just go into James first — but yeah, please read through those verses and let the Word speak to you.