Suffering and purpose are the heartbeats of mankind that, since the beginning, have pushed each of us toward doom or the pursuit of things greater than ourselves. The two are intertwined. We do not seek suffering, but it is guaranteed. On the other hand, we constantly seek purpose which is all BUT guaranteed to us. Suffering is a tool often used to argue against the idea of an all-powerful, loving God, but it’s also used as a proof that God is all-powerful and loving.
It gets very confusing very quickly.
Throughout the Scriptures, suffering is portrayed as something we are supposed to be thankful for; something to be used to help us grow. For example, consider Romans 5:
“We rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame.”
I believe that it is fair to say that if the Lord believes suffering gives us all of those qualities, then He will certainly use those circumstances for our own benefit.
So, how does God do it and what does it look like? Well, in several books of the Bible (Peter, Zechariah, Proverbs, Malachi, Job, and Jeremiah to name a few) we are taught about the refiner’s fire, where God Himself is described as the refiner. And pop quiz, what does He use? That's right, fire. When we look outwards in our life all we are able to see is the inconvenience, the pain, or the grief that comes with our suffering. However, when we take the time to turn our attention inward, it is much easier to see obvious reasons the Lord would be testing us with our own personal crucibles throughout our everyday lives.
God uses the suffering in our lives to teach us the lessons He intends us to learn. If you are a parent, do or did you let your children do whatever they want? Of course not. But when they make mistakes, you use their own choices for their benefit – to teach them a lesson or to better their future. The longer it takes them to learn the lesson the more consequences or “suffering” they will have to endure. This is how God operates with us all. If we smile at our suffering and learn from it, not only will it calm our hearts in difficult times, it will build our character and naturally bring us closer to God.
If the hard times in our lives are used by God for our good, then what do we have to fear?
A concept that is attached to suffering is purpose. God is the refiner, and we are being refined according to His will, not our own. This is where the existential question always enters the counseling process:
“What is my purpose in life?”
This question can take many forms: “What’s God’s will for me?” Or “What am I actually suffering for?” If we want to begin searching for purpose, we have to first understand we cannot have purpose without belief in God.
I often talk to clients about the idea of God’s anvil. If we are refined in the fire and our old life is burnt away, we are still hot and malleable metal when we exit the flames. This is where God will shape us to be used the way He plans to use us. We are made into different things but it is for God to decide. The more humility we have, the more easily God can shape us. If we don't fight the process and learn the lessons quickly, the faster God can use us and assign the purpose He has for us.
How do you view your personal suffering?
Do you see it merely as pain and inconvenience? Perhaps it’s time to view it from a new perspective. Suffering is one of the ways God molds us into who we are meant to be. It not only teaches us valuable lessons that strengthen and refine us but also gives our lives purpose according to His will. If we’re given the opportunity to live a life shaped by God’s hand, then the Apostle Paul was right – we should find joy even in our suffering.
📢 3rd Annual Sporting Clay Tournament – Just Over 2 Months Away! 🎯
Time is flying, and we’re getting closer to our Sporting Clay Tournament on May 17th, 2025, at Powder Creek Shooting Park in Lenexa, Kansas! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to support Peace Partnership and help provide critical mental health services to our community.
We still need:
✅ Sponsorships – Great exposure for your business while supporting a great cause
✅ Teams & Individual Registrations – Gather your friends, coworkers, or family and join us!
✅ Volunteers – Be part of the action and make a difference behind the scenes.
✅ Donations – Can’t attend? Consider making a donation to support our mission.
For more details contact Ashley Nicholas: 816.716.1847 or ashley@peacecounseling.org.
Let’s make this event a huge success! 💙🔫🎯
🔹 Sign up today and make a lasting impact!
🎉 The 9th Annual Peace Partnership Golf Classic is LIVE! ⛳
Get ready to Play for Hope and make a difference! This tournament isn’t just about golf—it’s about bringing hope to our community. Whether you’re signing up a team or taking advantage of a sponsorship opportunity, there’s a way for everyone to get involved.
📅 Event Details:
🏌️ Thursday, September 25, 2025 (Rain or shine!)
⛳ 4-Person Scramble
💰 $700 per team | $175 per player
⏰ Check-in: 7:30 AM | Shotgun Start: 8:30 AM
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages, & Awards Ceremony
🎟 Silent Auction, Raffles, & Contests
Spots are limited—register today! ⛳💙
As we step into March, we are filled with gratitude for those who make our mission possible. Your generosity and kindness allow us to walk alongside families in need, providing them with hope, healing, and the support they deserve. Each act of giving—big or small—makes a lasting impact, and we are truly thankful for your partnership in this journey. We are deeply grateful for each of our February partners:
A special thank-you to Rick & Kathy Daulton and to Denise Israel for increasing your monthly donation. Your ongoing commitment helps us extend our reach and provide consistent support to those who need it most. You are such a blessing!.
Our deepest gratitude to Spencer Watkins and Clayton Jones Attorney At Law for your Sporting Clay team registrations. We are honored to have you join us again for this incredible tournament and appreciate your continued support.
To all of our faithful monthly and recurring supporters — THANK YOU from our Peace Partnership team! – Stone AMP SEO, Jeff & Lacey Cherry, Zane & Melissa Morerod, Mark McDonald, Jondy & Heather Britton, Matt & Kristy Newton, Mark & Cathy McGaughey, Greg & Jennifer Spears, Roger & Jennifer Madsen, Metcalf Auto Plaza, Mike & Jan McGraw, Willie & Adia Valdes, Shelly Schuman, Mike & Carol Jackson, Blue Springs Christian Church, Linda Hartman, Dave & Rosie Bourland, Clean Heart Maids, Rudy & Stacy Blahnik, Mike & Tracy Pruitt, Clayton & Pam Wooldridge, Dan & Gigi Rippee, Andre & Rose Fantasma, Kevin Quinn, Genesis Counseling, Scott & Lydia Hurley, Jon & Naomi Thompson, John Otradovec, Lance & Mandi Pollard, Tamara Stroud, Rick & Kathy Daulton, Aaron Linn, Joel & Ruthie Morris, Church at Coffee Creek, John & Vicki Hefner, Jenny Glasgow, Denise Israel, Phil & Jo Rydman, Teddy Koehler, Brandon & Vanessa Blanchard, Summit Springs Church, Jason & Val Schram, and Rick & Jan Britton.
Because of you, we can continue making a difference—one life, one family, and one healthy relationship at a time. Thank you for standing with us in this mission! We appreciate each and every one of you!
Would you like to tour our office or grab a coffee or meal together to hear more about our work in the community? Contact Naomi Thompson, our Director of Development, at: 816.272.0653 or naomi@peacecounseling.org. We want to get to know you and personally thank you for supporting our mission. To make a donation through our website, please click on the link below.
Have you or someone you know been helped by Peace Partnership or Genesis Counseling? If so, would you please consider paying it forward to help another find healing along their journey? We are asking anyone who is not currently partnering with us financially to consider donating $100/year for the next 3 years to help make a difference in someone else’s life. Collectively, we can help SO MANY PEOPLE! Please consider a gift today. Call the office for help getting your gift set up or choose a recurring donation on our website here. We are so grateful for your help changing lives!
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