Dr. Floyd Godfrey

In today’s fast-paced and often challenging world, many of us long for comfort, peace, and ease in our daily lives. Yet, one of the most profound lessons we learn as Christians is that God is not primarily concerned with making us comfortable—He is more focused on shaping our character. I was reminded of this truth at the recent Stand Strong Mega National Christian Counseling Conference 2024 in Dallas, where I had the privilege of learning from Zach Clinton. His words on suffering, character, and God's plans were not only powerful but deeply aligned with biblical principles.

God's Plan Through Pain
During the conference, Clinton shared a message that resonated with everyone in the room: "God cares more about our character than our comfort." This statement might feel counterintuitive in a culture that promotes avoiding pain at all costs. However, as Christians, we understand that God allows trials and hardships because He intends to grow and refine us through them. As Clinton further emphasized, "God intends to develop us in and through pain." This is a reminder that God is at work even in the most challenging seasons of our lives.

This idea is not new; we see it throughout Scripture. James 1:2-4 (NIV) reminds us to “Consider it pure joy... 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.” God uses trials to perfect our faith, molding our hearts and characters to reflect more of His likeness.

Strength in Community
One of the key takeaways from Clinton’s message was the importance of community when we are facing hardship. He powerfully stated, "God gives you friends for the time of fire. There is strength in numbers!" Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace together (Daniel 3:16-18), God often provides us with a community of believers to stand alongside us when we face our own trials.

Loneliness, however, remains a significant issue for many, even within the church. Clinton described it as "the invisible disease of our modern day," a silent struggle that can amplify the pain we feel in difficult times. The Bible calls us to be the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), where each part is crucial, and no one should walk through fire alone. By surrounding ourselves with others, we gain strength, encouragement, and support when life becomes overwhelming.

Finding God in the Fire
Perhaps one of the most profound insights from Clinton’s teaching was this: "Sometimes your clearest view of God can only be found in the fire. Suffering leads us to dependence and reliance on God. When you're in the fire, don't start with what you see, start with what God sees. Have courageous faith!" These words are a powerful reminder that suffering isn’t just something to endure—it’s an opportunity to grow closer to God. Trials have a way of stripping away our self-reliance and driving us into the arms of our Savior.

As Clinton stated, the "clearest view of God" often comes when everything else is stripped away, and we are left with nothing but Him. Just as Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15, NIV), we, too, are called to have faith in the midst of suffering, trusting that God sees the bigger picture even when we cannot.

Conclusion
God’s primary concern is not that we live a comfortable life, but that we become people of deep character and faith. As we endure trials, God shapes us into vessels that reflect His love and strength. Though suffering is never easy, it is often where we experience the most profound spiritual growth. With a strong community and a courageous faith, we can navigate these difficult seasons, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.

As Zach Clinton said, "Have courageous faith!" For when we do, we can be confident that God is using even our pain for His glory and our good.

Floyd Godfrey PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed counselor for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.

Reference
Clinton, Z. (2024, October). Stand Strong - Mega National Christian Counseling Conference 2024. Plenary Forum. Dallas; Texas.