Word of the Week: You Prayed for Purpose — That’s Why It Got Hard

Bro. David Woodard | The Weekly Ledger News | Faith & Inspiration Column

You prayed for purpose. That’s why it got hard.

You didn’t do something wrong.

You didn’t miss God.

You didn’t fail the test.

You answered the call.

Don’t confuse spiritual warfare with disqualification.

Resistance doesn’t mean you’re off track —

It often means you’re right where you need to be.

Your “no’s” didn’t reject you.

They refined you.

They trained you to hear God over approval.

They taught you how to stand without applause.

You asked to be used by God.

And He took you seriously.

So the stretching wasn’t cruel.

The pruning wasn’t punishment.

The silence wasn’t abandonment.

It was preparation.

Because purpose carries weight.

Influence carries responsibility.

Calling demands capacity.

And God does not place weight on those who have not been strengthened.

As written in 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV):

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

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What you’re walking through isn’t random.

It’s required.

You’re learning endurance.

You’re building discernment.

You’re developing obedience that does not fold under pressure.

You didn’t just pray for purpose.

You prayed for impact.

And impact requires fortification.

So if it feels heavier than you expected…

If it costs more than you planned…

If it’s demanding more maturity, more discipline, more trust…

Good.

You are not being buried.

You are being built.

Final Encouragement

Do not allow frustration to convince you to abandon what God is using to strengthen you.

Seasons of pressure are often seasons of preparation.

What feels like a delay may be development.

What feels like resistance may be refinement.

What feels like breaking may actually be building.

Remain steady.

Remain faithful.

Remain surrendered.

Because God is not simply working on your situation- He is working on your capacity to carry what He has prepared.

Scripture for Reflection

James 1:2–4 (NKJV)

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Strengthen those who feel weary today.

Encourage hearts that feel stretched and tested.

Bring peace to minds wrestling with doubt and discouragement.

Lord, remind them that no season is wasted in Your hands.

That every challenge has a purpose.

That every delay carries meaning.

That every difficulty is shaping them for what lies ahead.

Grant endurance where there is fatigue,

faith where there is uncertainty,

and confidence where doubt has tried to take root.

Help them remain steady, faithful, and surrendered to Your process.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

About the Columnist

Bro. David Woodard is a faith leader and speaker committed to sharing biblical truth, encouragement, and hope through practical, Scripture-based messages. He is available for preaching engagements, special services, and church revivals.

Phone/Text: 256-393-4992

Email: DWoodard4Bama@gmail.com

If you would like to learn more about Jesus and salvation, or if you are in need of prayer, Bro. Woodard welcomes you to reach out.

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