30 Day Battle-Ready Challenge - Leadership for Christian MenSample

Day 22: Ready in the Fire

Reflection: The greatest test of my faith came in May of 2020 when we lost our daughter. There’s a saying, “There’s no pain like kid pain,” and I can tell you firsthand—it’s true.

In the days after losing her, I wrestled with God’s plan. Let me be clear: trusting His plan does not mean liking it. I still don’t like the fact that she’s not here with us. But here’s the truth that brought me peace—when my little girl closed her eyes on this side of eternity, she opened them in glory.

That reality anchored me in a storm I never imagined facing. Since her passing, our family has been able to walk alongside others experiencing similar pain. We can’t take away their hurt, but we can love them through the fire.

What I’ve learned is this: we can’t waste our pain. Instead of letting trials break us, we should see them as opportunities to refine our faith. Peter reminds us that gold is revealed in its truest beauty only after being ready by fire. The same is true for us.

A battle-ready man knows this—fire doesn’t destroy him. It purifies him. And that’s worth embracing.

Mission: It’s easy to go through trials and move on without reflection. But that’s a missed opportunity for growth. Don’t waste your pain—remember it, refine from it, and let God use it.

Field Order: Think about the last trial you endured. What did God teach you through it? How can that lesson help you serve someone else today?