By Dr. Floyd Godfrey

Life is full of unexpected disruptions, painful setbacks, and seasons of hardship. For many, these moments can feel like detours or delays to the life they imagined. However, from a Christian perspective, pitfalls are not obstacles to avoid at all costs; they are opportunities for growth and realignment. When we trust in God’s sovereignty, we can begin to see our struggles not as evidence of His absence, but as signs of His deeper work within us. As Clinton (2024) reminds us, “Every story has more than one potential ending, depending on how the characters in it respond” (p. 110). Our response to adversity can determine whether we become bitter or better.

The Purpose in the Pain

We live in a culture that values comfort and convenience, yet Scripture often points to suffering as a tool in God’s hands. James 1:2-4 tells us to “consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” These verses challenge our perspective, encouraging us to see hardship as part of a refining process. God is not indifferent to our pain; rather, He uses it to develop endurance, deepen faith, and shape our character.

In his book Even If, Clinton (2024) highlights the importance of this process by sharing the story of Tua Tagovailoa, a talented football player who faced a career-threatening injury. Instead of giving in to bitterness or self-pity, Tua leaned into his faith and came back stronger. As Clinton writes, “His painful disruption had not made him bitter. He had allowed it to make him better” (p. 111). Tua’s journey illustrates a critical truth: setbacks don’t define us—our response to them does.

Realignment Through Disruption

Disruptions often feel unfair or even cruel in the moment, but from a biblical lens, they may be signs that God is intervening for a greater purpose. Clinton (2024) notes, “Sometimes God may allow disruptions in your life so you can get realigned and become better equipped for the destiny He has prepared for you” (p. 111). This concept is echoed in Romans 8:28, where Paul assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” It’s a powerful reminder that nothing is wasted in God’s plan.

The goal is not simply to endure pain, but to be transformed by it. God may use our struggles to refine our priorities, teach us humility, or redirect our path. In these moments, He calls us to trust Him more deeply and to lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). As we surrender control, we open ourselves to the healing and direction only God can provide.

Character Over Comfort

As believers, we must remember that God is always more interested in who we are becoming than in how comfortable our lives appear. Clinton (2024) captures this well when he says, “God is more concerned with our character than He is our comfort” (p. 111). This truth may be difficult to accept, especially during seasons of pain or confusion. Yet it is in those very seasons that God often does His most transformative work.

Parents, pastors, and anyone in a position of influence can use this perspective to guide others through their own challenges. When we model resilience and point others back to God’s purposes, we help them discover that even the darkest chapters of their story can be redeemed.

Conclusion

Pitfalls are not the end of the road; they are often the beginning of something greater. When we choose to trust God in our struggles, we begin to see His hand in the details of our lives. He uses pain to develop strength, allows disruption to create realignment, and builds character through discomfort. As Clinton reminds us, our response to adversity matters. Will we let it make us bitter, or will we allow it to make us better?

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 clinician 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.

References

Clinton, Z. (2024). Even if: Developing the faith, mindset, strength and endurance of those who are built different. American Association of Christian Counselors Publishing.