Suffering isn’t a part of life, it is life. There will be very few times that there isn’t something capable of dimming the light within you.

While suffering may inevitable, could it also be invaluable?

You see, good times don’t make you stronger. They are nice and enjoyable, but there’s a storm brewing on the horizon and you have to be able to face it with courage or you’ll let it blow you away like a dead leaf.

So how do we choose to become a warrior through the inevitable suffering?

1. Never blame others
Your suffering may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility in how you react. People are going to let you down. It’s their nature. Consider this passage out of John chapter two: “But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.”

Even though he didn’t trust them, he loved them...and you should to.

2. Be the bigger man
Being the bigger man doesn’t mean you apologize for something you didn’t do. It means you don’t hold a grudge. Being the bigger man means taking full responsibility for your thoughts, feelings, and actions while refusing to accept responsibility for the same in others.

3. Don’t whine
Do you really think you’re the only one that hurts? I’m not making light of your pain, I’m telling you to quit whining and get back in the saddle. Nobody likes a whiner. If you need to whine, go to God with it. He’s the only one who really understands. Shoot, he’s the only one that can do something about it. Quit feeling sorry for yourself and move on. (This applies to normal, everyday type of suffering, not catastrophic loss such as death or other tragedies.)

4. Don’t give up
Victims quit when suffering comes. They shut down and neglect to do what they should do. The world doesn’t stop because of your pain. That is the greatest tragedy and the greatest blessing. You have others that love you and depend on you. Do what you know you should do. Giving up is the key to victim hood.

5. Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary suffering
You’re not thinking clearly. Your mind has taken you down a dark alley and convinced you of things that will drastically change your life and bring you nothing but regret in the end. Your mind wants ease and comfort. Your soul needs you to be a warrior...and so do those who look up to you.

6. Do the things you don’t want to do
Take a shower. Polish your boots. Put your makeup on. Do your hair. Work harder. Go to the gym. Give more of yourself to others instead of being selfish. Smile. It’s in times of suffering that you must do what you know you should do. Nothing produces change like action.

7. Let it go
If you hold onto suffering it will become a part of you. We are our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. Be freaking strong. Holding a grudge is the strongest thing a weak man can do. And that’s all he can do. He’s a victim, not a warrior.

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 1:2-4

Be mature and complete, lacking nothing. That is the definition of a warrior.