Let’s talk about something real for a moment. As you know, life can hit hard. Maybe you’ve lost someone you love, your marriage feels like it’s under attack, or you’re just trying to keep your head above water with all the financial stress. Maybe you’ve felt abandoned by people who were supposed to be there for you, or you’re watching a family member struggle with sickness. It’s tough, and sometimes it feels like it just won’t let up.
But I want to remind you of something—something that’s been on my heart. As a former Navy SEAL, there’s a saying, “The only easy day was yesterday.” That was a code we lived by. It wasn’t just words; it was a way of life. And in a lot of ways, following Jesus is similar. The path isn’t easy, but it’s worth every step, every struggle because we're on a road that's eternal.
Take a moment to remember what the Apostles went through. These were men who walked with Jesus, saw Him perform miracles, and heard Him teach with their own ears. But when it came time to lay it all on the line, all except one (Judas) didn’t quit—even when it cost them everything.
Take Peter, for example. He wasn’t perfect—far from it. Peter denied Jesus three times when fear got the best of him (Luke 22:61-62). He even heard Jesus say, “Get behind me, Satan,” when he was thinking more like a man than a disciple (Matthew 16:23). But here’s the thing: Peter didn’t stay down. He repented, and he came back stronger. Tradition tells us he was eventually crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. This account is recorded by church historian Eusebius.
James, the brother of John, was put to death by the sword on the orders of King Herod, as recorded in Acts 12:2. He was the first of the Apostles to be martyred, and his death marked the beginning of a wave of persecution.
John, the beloved disciple, was the only Apostle who wasn’t martyred. However, he suffered greatly for the faith. He was exiled to the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9), where he received the vision that became the Book of Revelation. Church tradition holds that he died of old age, having endured many hardships.
Andrew, Peter’s brother, was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. According to tradition, he was tied to the cross rather than nailed, prolonging his suffering, and he preached to onlookers for two days until he died. This account comes from the writings of early church fathers.
Thomas, often remembered as "Doubting Thomas," carried the Gospel to India, where he was speared to death by soldiers, according to church tradition.
Philip was crucified in Hierapolis, Phrygia, after converting the wife of a Roman proconsul, which led to his martyrdom, according to the early Christian historian Polycrates.
Matthew, the former tax collector and author of the Gospel of Matthew, was believed to have been stabbed to death in Ethiopia while preaching the Gospel. This account is found in various early traditions, though the exact details are less clear.
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was flayed alive and then beheaded in Armenia, according to several church traditions. His brutal death is recorded in writings such as the Acts of Bartholomew.
James, the son of Alphaeus, sometimes called James the Less, was stoned and then clubbed to death in Jerusalem, according to the Jewish historian Josephus and early church writings.
Simon the Zealot was believed to have been sawn in half in Persia for refusing to sacrifice to the sun god, according to the writings of early Christian martyrs.
Jude, also known as Thaddeus, was martyred in Persia, where he was killed with arrows or a club, according to various traditions, including the Acts of Simon and Jude.
Lastly, Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded in Jerusalem, according to church tradition recorded by Hippolytus.
Paul, though not one of the original twelve, faced more hardship than most. Shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments, and eventually, he was beheaded in Rome under Nero’s persecution. And yet, Paul’s life was a testimony to another Navy SEAL phrase, "It pays to be a winner." He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
— 2 Timothy 4:7
Each of these men faced down fear, pain, and death because they knew something we need to hold on to: This life isn’t the end. No matter how hard things get, no matter how much it feels like you can’t take another step, remember what they endured—and remember why they endured. They were soldiers for Christ, and so are we.
"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."
— 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Another saying we had in the SEAL Teams was, “You’ve got to love it when it sucks.”
I hope that you can think about this - not because we should love pain, but because we know what it’s producing in us: Perseverance. Character. Hope.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
— Romans 5:3-4
And more than anything, we can have a deeper connection with the One who will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
— Revelation 21:4
Stay in the fight. Don't be a Judas, who didn't repent when he could have. Don’t quit. Because the only easy day was yesterday, and today, God’s grace is enough to see you through whatever comes your way.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we’re in this together. Let's not back down and deny Jesus even when your life is on the line. Not now, not ever.
“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” – 2 Timothy 2:12
Never Quit Jesus.
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, and saying, “THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS we must enter the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 14:21-22
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