The Ascent Hidden in the Ache: Ascending Through Trials

God does not only call us upward into His presence; He often leads us there through pressure, testing, and affliction. The path of ascension is not always smooth, but it is always purposeful. Scripture shows us again and again that trials are not merely obstacles on the way to God—they are often the very route by which He lifts us higher.

When Paul writes, “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17), he reveals a kingdom pattern. Suffering is not the opposite of glory; in God’s hands, it becomes the road to glory. What feels like descent in the moment may actually be ascension in disguise.

The Way Up

Jesus Himself walked this pattern. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). The cross looked like humiliation, but it became the pathway to exaltation. After the suffering came the glory, after the death came the resurrection, and after the resurrection came the ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9–11; Ephesians 1:20–21).

This is why trials can never be measured only by their pain. They are also places of spiritual elevation. James says, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2–3). And Paul adds that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4). In other words, tribulation trains the soul for ascent. It strengthens the muscles of faith, deepens our dependence, and teaches us to rise by grace rather than by our own strength.

Mountain Paths

The Bible is full of people who met God more deeply because they were willing to go through the hard place. Abraham ascended Mount Moriah with a knife in his hand and faith in his heart, and there he learned that “the Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:14). Moses climbed Sinai through fire, cloud, and trembling, and came down carrying God’s glory on his face (Exodus 19–20; 34:29–35). Elijah reached Horeb exhausted, discouraged, and fleeing for his life, yet there he encountered God in a still small voice and was sent back with renewed commission (1 Kings 19:8–18). Even Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain, and the disciples who went up with Him saw His glory and heard the Father speak (Matthew 17:1–8). Each of these ascents involved risk, surrender, and sometimes sorrow. But each one ended in revelation. God met them in the climb, and they came down changed.

Trials as Sacred Ascent

That is the mystery of tribulation: what tries to break you can become the very pressure that lifts you. Like heat shaping metal, suffering can make the soul more pliable in the hand of God. Paul says, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4). And Peter reminds us not to be surprised by fiery trials, because the Spirit of glory rests on those who suffer with Christ (1 Peter 4:12–14). So do not despise the hard season. The valley may be doing ascent work in you. The delay may be teaching you endurance. The wound may be creating dependence. The opposition may be stripping away what would keep you from the higher place God is forming in you.

Called Higher

To ascend is to rise toward God in faith, even when the route is marked by pain. It is to believe that every trial can become holy ground. It is to trust that God is not wasting your suffering, but using it to lift your eyes, deepen your roots, and strengthen your spirit. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1–2). He is the One who went through suffering into glory, and He now calls us to follow the same pattern—not because the pain is good, but because His purpose is greater. In Him, tribulation becomes a ladder of grace, and every step upward is a step into His presence.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to see my trials as a pathway, not a prison. Help me to trust that every hard place can become a holy ascent when You are leading me through it. Strengthen me in suffering, mature me in waiting, and lift me higher in faith as I follow Jesus, who endured the cross and entered glory. In His name, amen.