Welcome to Chapter 12 of ROW Against the Flow: Warrior for Others. This chapter calls us to embrace a courageous and compassionate role—not just fighting our own battles but standing in the gap for others as spiritual warriors.

Chapter Focus: Advocating and Interceding as a Spiritual Warrior

In this chapter, you’ll explore:

• What it means to be a warrior who fights not only personal battles but also carries the struggles of others in prayer and action.
• Biblical examples of standing in the gap, interceding, and guarding others in the community of faith.
• How compassion fuels courage—the connection between loving others deeply and engaging in spiritual warfare on their behalf.
• Practical ways to grow as an advocate, protector, and encourager for those around you.

You’ll find encouragement to step beyond self-focus and embrace the strength God provides to serve as a defender and support for your spiritual family and community.

Let’s Reflect Together

• Who in your life might need a spiritual warrior standing for them today?
• How do you feel called to carry the burdens of others in prayer and support?
• What are some practical ways you can engage in spiritual warfare intercession for your community?
• How can compassion grow your courage to fight for others?

Feel free to share your thoughts or stories. Your example of standing shoulder to shoulder as a warrior for others can inspire and empower those around you.

What’s Next?

• Keep reading or download the full book to continue your journey.
• Invite friends, small groups, or church communities to explore and live out this calling together.
• Step forward with faith and love as you engage in the battles that affect not just you but the people God places in your life.

Thank you for embracing the call to be a warrior for others—row faithfully against the current with strength, courage, and heart.

Chapter 12: Warrior for Others

Why me? Have you ever asked that question? Maybe you’re still asking it. If you haven’t, just wait—life has a way of serving up challenges that make us wonder if we’re the only ones limping through. But as we discovered in chapter 11, when we start to open up, we find that everyone carries a difficult section in their story. No one escapes this life without wounds from the battle. Some people’s lives might look like a highlight reel, but don’t be fooled—beneath the surface, everyone is fighting their own battles with pain, disappointment, and struggle.

Over the last 111 days, I’ve meditated on a Psalm a day. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that God doesn’t mind hearing what’s really going on with you. Maybe the better question isn’t “Why me?” but, “How long, O Lord?” Yahweh is God welcomes our honest questions and even our laments—He might just be preparing us for something greater than we can imagine. A quick check on the Internet confirms: the death rate is still one per one. No one gets out of this life without pain. The real question is: What will Jesus do with your pain? Maybe it’s time to move from “Why me?” to “I wonder what God might do with this?”

I don’t believe everything that happens is because someone deserves it. That’s a crushing way to live—karma is a terrible master. Yes, sometimes I do things that bring consequences, but God is always gracious to show me my failures and guide me through repentance, obedience, and worship—ROW—to get me back on the right path.

Strength Through Struggle

Let’s look at it another way. I enjoy construction and home remodeling. It makes me stronger and more capable. I tease my kids that while I may not hit the gym every day, I have the “muscles that matter”—what they call “old man strength.” I treat everything as a workout: unloading groceries, helping a neighbor move, clearing debris with a chainsaw. Every challenge is training for the fight, and you can grow stronger through every battle you face. Wounds heal, faith muscles strengthen, and you become a more capable warrior for others.

Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. — Hebrews 12:11

Don’t Waste Your Pain—Let It Become a Pathway

Do you want to waste your pain? I don’t. I want to process it, to let God use it for something more. Pain demands a response, and the truth is, God is always at work healing us—even when we can’t see it. The betrayals I’ve endured, the grief I bear, the scars from my own sin—all of it has become preparation to help others.

About a year ago, I had a conversation with Jesus that lasted all of a second. He revealed an area of my life that had caused pain for me and others—mostly in how I related to people. I asked Him, “Why didn’t you show me this twenty years ago?” Instantly, I sensed His reply: “Because you would’ve conquered it, felt smug, and judged everyone else. Now you’ll have empathy for those who struggle, too.” In that moment, He both humbled and lifted me. Jesus isn’t obsessed with our flaws; He wants to use them to build up His people and encourage them to trust Him.

One of the best ways to get out from under the weight of your own story—when it feels crushing—is to help someone else. Jesus not only provides the pathway for this; He commands it. We weren’t meant to be constantly looking at ourselves, endlessly analyzing our own lives. No wonder we get discouraged when all we do is look inward. That’s what our culture tells us: look inside, find out what’s wrong, fix it, then celebrate your own greatness. But that’s not the way of Jesus.

Jesus calls us to look outside of ourselves. Instead of looking inward—which often leads downward—we need to look upward, which leads us outward. When we shift our gaze from self to Savior, from our own wounds to the needs of others, we find purpose, hope, and healing.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had. — Philippians 2:4–5

Let your pain become a bridge, not a barrier. Let it move you to compassion, to action, and to the kind of service that brings life to others—and, in the process, to yourself.

From Wounds to Warriors: The Outward Turn

Healing is not the end of the fight—it’s the rallying point. When God brings us through the valley, it’s never just for our sake. He transforms battle wounds into marks of victory, and those scars become stories of survival. Our stories, in turn, become battle cries—calling out to others who are still deep in the struggle. The comfort, freedom, and courage we’ve received are meant to overflow, transforming not only our lives but the lives of those around us.

I continue to be amazed by the little church I get to pastor. God has been quietly preparing us to walk with the wounded. I see it up close as I walk my own grief journey, but I also see it in the gentle ways others in our community are being equipped. People who once hid their pain are now learning to walk with kindness, sensitivity, and love—opening up their stories to those who feel like they are bleeding out, alone and unseen.

We are learning together that our scars are not signs of shame or weakness, but testimonies of God’s faithfulness. When we share honestly about where we’ve been and how God has met us, we offer hope to those still in the valley. Our community is becoming a forward operating base for the mission—not because we have it all together, but because we are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with others on the front lines of brokenness.

• When someone shares their grief, there’s always someone ready to listen, to pray, to simply sit in the silence.
• When a new face walks in with invisible wounds, there’s a sense of welcome and understanding that can only come from people who have been there.
• As we open our lives, we find that God uses even our hardest chapters to draw others toward healing and hope.

This is the outward turn: moving from wounded to warrior—not by our own strength, but by the grace that has carried us. We become living invitations for others to step into the light, to believe that their story isn’t over, and to discover that God can use even the deepest pain for a greater purpose. In this way, our church—and every community of faith—becomes a place where healing multiplies, and the mission of Jesus moves forward, one scarred and hopeful story at a time.

Joseph: God’s Goodness in the Midst of Suffering

Joseph’s life (Genesis 37–50) is a sweeping story of betrayal, endurance, and redemption.

• Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph endured years of injustice and isolation in Egypt.
• Even when falsely accused and imprisoned, he remained faithful, using his gifts to serve others.
• By God’s providence, Joseph was elevated to second-in-command in Egypt, ultimately saving many from famine—including the very brothers who betrayed him.

Joseph’s Perspective on Suffering

When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers after years of betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, he offered a perspective on suffering that is both honest and deeply hopeful:

“Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life… So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God.” — Genesis 45:5,8

Later, after their father’s death, Joseph reassured his brothers with words that have become a cornerstone for understanding God’s redemptive power:

“As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.” — Genesis 50:20 

What Joseph’s Story Teaches Us

He Names the Evil: Joseph never glosses over the wrong done to him. He acknowledges the harm and betrayal, calling it what it is. He doesn’t excuse his brothers’ actions or pretend they weren’t painful.

He Refuses to Simplify Suffering: Joseph doesn’t claim that every painful event was “good” or that it was all part of a neat, divine plan. Instead, he holds the tension: people intended evil, but God worked through it for good. He recognizes both the reality of human wrongdoing and the mysterious ways God can redeem even the darkest situations.

He Finds Hope in God’s Redemption: Joseph’s faith is not in easy answers, but in God’s ability to redeem even the worst circumstances. He trusts that God can bring life and blessing out of loss and betrayal, even when the path is unclear.

What Does It All Mean?

It’s important to approach suffering with humility and honesty:

• We Don’t Always Know the Meaning: You may never fully understand why you suffer. It’s not always possible—or helpful—to declare that every hardship is God’s plan to make you better or to improve the world. There is real evil in the world, and things are often deeply broken. Sometimes, pain simply doesn’t make sense.
• Jesus Walks With You: While we may not have all the answers, Jesus does. He is the suffering Servant who understands what it means to be wounded, betrayed, and misunderstood. He can reveal your next steps as you walk with Him through the pain.
• Joseph’s Story Is Not a Formula: Joseph’s journey is not a license to tell others (or ourselves) that every tragedy is secretly a blessing or that God causes all suffering for improvement. Instead, his story reminds us to hold space for lament, honesty, and hope.

How to Respond

Joseph’s story invites us to:

• Affirm God’s Power to Redeem: No suffering is wasted in God’s hands. Even when we can’t see the outcome, we can trust that God is able to bring good out of evil.
• Hold Space for Honest Lament: It’s okay to grieve, to question, and to admit that some pain doesn’t make sense. God welcomes our honest cries and our confusion.
• Look to Jesus, the Suffering Servant: Ultimately, Jesus knows what it is to suffer unjustly. He meets us in our pain, walks with us through it, and alone can reveal what our next steps should be.

In summary: Joseph’s perspective on suffering is both honest and hopeful. It does not deny the reality of evil or the complexity of pain, but it does point us to a God who redeems, a Savior who suffers with us, and a hope that our stories are not over—even when we don’t have all the answers.

Reflection

1. Where have you seen God bring unexpected good out of hardship in your life?
2. Are there places where you need to acknowledge evil and grieve, rather than rush to explanation?
3. How might Jesus, the suffering Servant, want to meet you in your pain today?

Joseph’s story is a declaration: no suffering is wasted in God’s hands. What others meant for evil, God can turn for good—but that doesn’t mean we always see the “why” right away. Instead, we are invited to bring our pain to Jesus, trust Him with our story, and let Him lead us toward hope and healing, one step at a time. “How long o LORD?”

Esther: Courage for Such a Time as This

Esther’s story (Esther 4–8) is one of risk, hidden identity, and deliverance.

• Taken from her home and made queen in Persia, Esther faced a moment when her people were threatened with destruction.
• Her cousin Mordecai challenged her not to remain silent, but to risk everything for the sake of others.
• Esther called her people to fast and pray, then approached the king on their behalf, risking her life to intercede.

“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”… “I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!” — Esther 4:14,16 

Esther’s courage was not just for herself—it was for her people. Her willingness to act changed the fate of a nation.

Reflection

1. Where is God inviting you to take a risk for the sake of others?
2. Have you ever felt unqualified or out of place, yet sensed God calling you to speak up or step out?
3. What does “for such a time as this” look like in your family, workplace, or community right now?

Joseph & Esther: Two Stories, One God

Consider how these two stories echo and complement each other:

• Both Joseph and Esther were uprooted from home and thrust into foreign, hostile environments.
• Each faced injustice, risk, and the temptation to remain silent or bitter.
• Both rose to positions of influence not for their own comfort, but to save and bless others.
• Each saw God’s hand at work, turning evil intentions into opportunities for deliverance and hope.
• Both forgave and acted with courage, trusting that their stories were part of something bigger than themselves.

Discussion: Joseph and Esther in Conversation

1. How does Joseph’s declaration—“God intended it for good”—shape your understanding of suffering and redemption?
2. How does Esther’s willingness to risk her life inspire you when you face fear or uncertainty?
3. In what ways do both stories challenge you to move from self-preservation to sacrificial love for others?
4. What would it look like for your group or community to embody the courage, forgiveness, and hope of Joseph and Esther?

Application: Becoming a Warrior for Others

• Share Your Story: Let your battle scars become testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Your journey may be the rallying point that helps someone else find victory in their own fight.
• Stand in the Gap: Pray and act for those in crisis, even at personal cost.
• Choose Blessing: Like Joseph, speak life and provision over those who have hurt you.
• Embrace Your Moment: Like Esther, recognize that you may be placed “for such a time as this.”

Reflection

1. Who has been a “warrior for you” on your journey?
2. Where is God inviting you to stand in the gap for someone else?
3. What story or scar can you share to bring hope to another?
4. How can your group or community become a source of blessing and strength for others?
5. What is one step you can take this week to move from healed to healer?

ROW Application

• Repent: Release fear or reluctance to serve and bless others.
• Obey: Take a concrete step—pray, encourage, or serve someone in need this week.
• Worship: Thank God for the privilege of joining His mission to heal, restore, and rescue.

Next Steps

• Journal: Who is God putting on your heart to pray for, encourage, or bless this week?
• Community Action: Organize a group prayer, encouragement, or outreach for someone in need.
• Scripture Memory:

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had. — Philippians 2:4–5 

Prayer Focus

Lord Jesus, Thank You for healing our wounds and making us whole. Now send us out as warriors for others—ready to pray, serve, and stand in the gap. Give us courage to share our stories, humility to bless, and faith to believe You can bring light to the darkest places. Knit us together as a community on mission, bearing one another’s burdens and bringing hope to the world. In Your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

As you finish this book, remember: you are not just a survivor—you are a warrior. You are part of a healed, courageous, and mobilized community—fighting for others, carrying hope into the fray, and advancing Christ’s light wherever the battle takes you.

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