Armed for Suffering

Few people go through life without difficulty. Tough times often define the way we see the world. For some, a rough patch beats them down; they’re left battered and hopeless. For others, a challenge forces them to rise to the occasion; they’re fortified by the trial and better for having survived it. The Greeks believed challenges were vital for growth, but best faced alone, and built the philosophy of stoicism around this view. The early Christians had a different belief, known as the Way, which encourages us to lean on God when times are tough.