through pain to purify our hearts, deepen our dependence on him, and impart spiritual wisdom.” 2 My good friend Mark Buckley calls this “redemptive pain.” Sooner or later, we all face personal and professional battles. These may come in the form of personal failure, betrayal by another, or a serious family crisis. How we respond to our battles will shape us, for better or worse. It is up to us to trust our heavenly Father to turn the pain from our trials into blessing. Thriving in ministry requires