If you’re reading my blog, chances are you’re old enough to know that life [L-I-F-E] doesn’t always go the way we hope. Sometimes, the saints—we who give selflessly, love deeply, and walk faithfully—find ourselves crushed under the weight of circumstances we never saw coming. Whether it’s betrayal, loss, or an endless cycle of criticism, these seasons feel like a slaughtering of the soul.
Why does God allow His faithful servants to suffer?
The Bible certainly doesn’t shy away from this question.
Time and again, we see God’s people enduring unimaginable trials. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and spent years in prison. Job lost everything he had—his family, his wealth, and his health. Even Jesus—God Himself —was mocked, beaten, and crucified despite His innocence.
And yet, these stories show us something deeply beautiful and profound:
God is present in our suffering, working in ways we cannot see.
The Purpose in the Pain
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
When the saints get slaughtered, it’s easy for us to think all is lost. The truth is that God often uses these very moments to strip away what doesn’t serve His purpose in order to refine us for what comes next. A friend of mine refers to this as God’s refining fire.
Pain acts as a megaphone for God to wake us from spiritual complacency.
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
C.S. Lewis
In our suffering:
- Our faith is strengthened: FACT. Trials force us to rely on God in ways we never would in comfort. Unfortunately, we only tend to seek God when our pain is great.
- Our character is shaped: No pain, no gain. UGH. Scripture is clear: Pain produces perseverance, which builds character and leads to hope.
- Our testimony becomes powerful: The darkest moments of our lives often lead to the best accounts and the brightest evidence of God’s unfathomable grace. No matter how dark it gets, Christ’s light overcomes it.
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
A Call to Trust
It’s hard to trust God when you’re stuck in the valley. However, even in the slaughter, the Lord’s promises remain true. He has not abandoned you. He sees your pain, hears your cries, and is right there by your side, walking with you through the fire.
You may not understand why you’re going through this season, but you can trust that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Psalm 34:18 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Clinging to Hope
When the saints get slaughtered, it’s not the end of the story. God is preparing a greater glory. Jesus went through the ultimate slaughter on the cross before His resurrection proved that pain and death don’t have the final say.
If you feel like you’re being torn apart, ripped to shreds by this life, hold on to this truth:
God is not done with you.
Even though the pain may be great, God’s love is greater. While the battle may be fierce, the victory is already won.
Keep walking.
Keep praying.
Keep trusting.
When the saints get slaughtered, it’s not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of redemption.
What trials are you facing today? How can I pray for you?
Until my next post…
Grace and peace,
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
Amen. For sure, that is true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The hope of heaven is what I cling too! And I know others have said it, but I’ve learned more and gotten closer to God in my valleys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen 🙏 Thank you for this perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you, brother. It’s hard to watch bad things happen to good people, and it’s even harder when they’re God’s people.
Lord, why?🤦🏻♂️
One of the guys I used to work with had a frequent saying—whenever things were going south in a hurry: “It will be greater later.”
A pastor later helped put this into a Christian perspective: “For those who are in Christ, this world is as bad as things will ever get. At the end of our journey, heaven (in God’s presence) awaits.
Praying on for you, and all us stressed saints, brother. I’m also praying we avoid being slaughtered. Whatever happens, Christ’s tomb is still empty and heaven’s throne is still occupied.
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 2 people