Stronger in the Struggle

Hey friends,

Every one of us has faced a moment when life didn’t just shift—it shattered. A diagnosis. A loss. A heartbreak. A betrayal. And in those moments, it’s easy to believe the pain is the end of the story.

But what if it’s just the middle?

The Bible, and nearly every faith tradition, reminds us: suffering is not a dead end...It’s a doorway.

A turning point.

A sacred invitation to see life, faith, and ourselves more clearly.

In the dark soil of hardship, something extraordinary begins to grow.

Not long ago, I came across a story that stopped me in my tracks. It was about Nathan Demian, a student-athlete at The Ohio State University, and a leading member of the top-ranked men’s soccer team. He had been shot—just steps from his apartment—in what can only be described as a senseless act of violence.

A single stray bullet that was shot from a car shooting at another car struck the right side of his abdomen, tearing through his intestines and lodging in the left side of his back. The damage was extensive. The danger, real. Doctors weren’t sure if he would pull through.

But God. 🙌

Miraculously, Nathan survived. After a few near-death moments, and many difficult weeks in the hospital.

And while his body continues to heal, something even more powerful has happened within him.

At the time of the incident, Nathan was studying pre-med, but he wasn’t entirely committed to that path. It was more of a possibility than a purpose. But after experiencing the life-saving care and compassion of the doctors who treated him, everything changed.

Now, Nathan is locked in. His eyes are wide open with gratitude and conviction, and he’s fueled by a renewed sense of calling.

He’s determined to become the kind of doctor who can do for others what was done for him. That’s purpose, born right in the middle of pain.

And here's the part that made it all hit home even more for me—shortly after reading Nathan’s story, I had the incredible privilege of meeting him in person. Not just a quick handshake and a hello, but real conversation. We’ve had a few since then and plan to stay in touch throughout the summer and into the fall.

In fact, this fall, my son’s soccer team will get the chance to attend an Ohio State practice and even watch a game or two—where they’ll see Nathan not only as an athlete, but as a walking testimony of God’s power, resilience, and redirection.

To say I’m inspired by him doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Nathan isn’t just surviving—he’s being shaped.

His story reminds me, and hopefully reminds you too, that the darkest moments can lead to the clearest purpose.

That when everything feels broken, God’s not done building.

There’s a term researchers use called post-traumatic growth. It describes what happens when someone moves through hardship and comes out stronger, clearer, more compassionate. More… alive.

Sound familiar? It’s what Scripture has said all along.

Romans 5:3–4 says:

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

That’s what Nathan found. And maybe, if you think back, it’s what you’ve found, too.

Suffering teaches us what truly matters.

It strips away the noise.

It builds resilience.

It connects us deeply with others who’ve walked similar roads.

Suddenly, we don’t look away from pain—we reach toward it.

We show up. Because we know what it feels like.

So Let Me Ask You…

Where have your valleys led you?

Has heartbreak softened your heart for others?
Has grief clarified what you can’t live without?
Has pain become the push you needed to pursue something greater?

You’re not alone in the struggle, friend. You’re not broken. You’re becoming.

And that’s a truth worth sharing.

With gratitude and hope,
Your friend,
Brock

P.S. I’d love to hear from you—How has a painful moment shaped your purpose? And if someone in your life is in the thick of it, maybe this week’s a good time to reach out. A simple word of encouragement—or a small gift of Goodness Created to be Shared—can go a long way in reminding them: they’re not alone, and the best chapters might still be ahead. 💛