The adage “God gives the hardest battles to his toughest soldiers” offers a comforting thought in times of adversity. It suggests a divine hand selecting individuals for specific challenges, based on their inherent strength. However, this perspective presents a limited view of both God and human resilience.

I do not subscribe to the adage that ‘God gives the hardest battles to his toughest soldiers.’ God does not ‘give’ anything; God only provides. God creates her toughest soldiers through life’s hardest battles.

God, or a higher power, does not actively “give” challenges or “choose” who suffers. Instead, life inherently presents difficulties. It is through these trials, through the fires of adversity, that we are forged into stronger individuals. God, in this understanding, acts as a provider – providing us with the tools, the strength, and the opportunities to grow through these challenges.

This reframing emphasizes personal growth and agency. We are not passive recipients of divine will, but active participants in our own journeys. Each battle we face, each obstacle we overcome, shapes us and molds us. It is in the crucible of hardship that we discover our true strength, resilience, and capacity for love. This perspective allows us to embrace challenges not as punishments, but as opportunities for transformation, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, we have the potential to emerge stronger and more whole.

~ An Excerpt from “Cast Your Light”