“though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we’re honest, most of us aren’t huge fans of the word “obedience.” It feels restrictive, like something we should have left behind in childhood, like in middle school or, some will say, kindergarten. But here’s the kicker: even Jesus, the ultimate Son of God, had to learn obedience—and He learned it through suffering.

Wait, what? If Jesus, who was perfect, had to go through this process, what does that say about us? It shows that obedience isn’t just about following the rules. It’s about transformation, growth, and, yes, sometimes a bit of pain along the way.

Flash back

Most of us think we know it all as teenagers and young adults. But, if we’re honest, you’ll admit that you must have been on “crack” or something to think so. I do.
I’m a proponent of freedom of expression. Allow the kid freedom to express themselves such that when, you stamp your foot down, you hope they (the kid) get it and know that it’s that, and must be, serious.
Or that they will have an experience such that no one will need to explain to them any longer why they can, or cannot, do some things.

Yes, but wait a minute, sone kids can be daring. True. That’s a different post. 😊

The Link Between Suffering and Obedience

we’re pushed to choose between our own way or sticking to what’s right. That decision builds our character.

Obedience often comes hand-in-hand with challenges. Think of it like this: when we go through hardships, we’re pushed to choose between our own way or sticking to what’s right. That decision builds our character.

Take the example of an athlete training for the Olympics. To achieve peak performance, they must be disciplined—obeying strict routines, diet plans, and intense training regimens. It’s not always fun. There’s soreness, exhaustion, and sometimes failure along the way. But it’s through this suffering that they gain strength and resilience, leading them to the podium. Their obedience to the process shapes their victory.

Obedience in Everyday Life

We might not all be Olympic athletes, but we face daily choices where obedience is key. Imagine you’re at work, and your boss gives you feedback that stings. You want to snap back or ignore it, but instead, you humble yourself, take the advice, and improve. In that moment, you’re learning obedience, and through it, you become better at your job. It’s not about avoiding the suffering; it’s about using it as fuel for growth.

Parental Lessons: The School of Obedience

Parents are the first authority figures we learn obedience from, even if we resist. Remember being told to clean your room or finish your homework? It felt like torture at the time, but those small moments of obedience built responsibility and discipline, skills we carry into adulthood.

Another great example I use is a teenager who asked his parents if he could attend a night party. The parents said “no.” The son couldn’t comprehend why his parents said “no.” So, while they were asleep, he snicked out of the house and left the house door unlocked so he can snick back in without waking anyone up.

Unfortunately, when he arrived, he found the police, ambulance, and fire outside his home. His parents crying surrounded by neighbors.
An intruder had entered the house, into their bedroom, startled them, and woken everyone up … the good thing was that none was injured, but all were terribly shaken, distraught, and disappointed.

So, just as Jesus learned obedience through His suffering, we also grow when we follow the hard path of obedience, even when it hurts.

The Soldier’s Journey

Think of a soldier in training. They endure grueling drills, harsh weather, and extreme physical challenges. Why? To learn discipline and obedience to their commanding officers. This isn’t just blind following; it prepares them for life-or-death situations where quick, obedient action can save lives. The suffering they go through in training makes them stronger, more focused, and better equipped to serve and protect.

In the same way, our suffering teaches us obedience, shaping us to handle the bigger challenges in life with clarity and purpose.

Another example of the soldier. The general or commanding officer has strategized a plan of attack. His strategy can be fatal if he has a disobedient soldier (or soldiers) in his command who, despite all the training he has (they have) received disobeyed to do his/their own thing/s. That soldier (or soldiers) will definitely be court-martialed. Your guess is as good as mine on the outcome.

The Doctor’s Path

Becoming a doctor is no walk in the park. There’s a reason medical school is often described as a trial by fire. Long nights of studying, sleepless shifts, and the constant pressure to learn from every mistake are part of the process. But this path of suffering teaches future doctors the discipline, empathy, and precision needed to save lives.

Obedience here means sticking with the process even when it feels overwhelming. And that obedience leads to the incredible reward of healing others.

Relationships: Obedience in Love

Love is another area where obedience comes into play. Whether in marriage, friendship, or family, sometimes love requires us to obey the needs of the relationship rather than our own desires. Forgiveness, patience, and compromise aren’t always easy. At times, it feels like suffering, especially when you’re the one making the sacrifice.

But through this, we learn that true love often means putting others before ourselves. Obedience to love’s demands strengthens our bonds and teaches us humility, selflessness, and the deeper meaning of connection.

The Farmer’s Patience

A farmer planting seeds understands obedience to the process of nature. There’s hard labor involved—tilling the soil, sowing seeds, watering, and waiting for the crops to grow. But no matter how much work is done, the harvest won’t come overnight. Farmers must obey the natural laws of seasons and growth, enduring periods of drought, storms, and uncertainty.

Through their obedience and patience, they eventually see the fruit of their labor. Their suffering turns into abundance, but only after they’ve stayed committed to the process.

Spiritual Growth

“wilderness” seasons can feel like spiritual suffering, where it seems as if God is silent. But even in those moments, we’re learning obedience.

Sometimes, we experience seasons where we pray and seek God, but it feels like nothing is changing. These “wilderness” seasons can feel like spiritual suffering, where it seems as if God is silent. But even in those moments, we’re learning obedience. We don’t turn our backs on God and declare that we’re no longer Christians. Rather, it is at those times that we continue to seek God more, praying, and trusting in the process, our faith deepens.

It’s through these trials of obedience that we grow spiritually, finding strength and clarity on the other side of the challenge.

Conclusion: Obedience as Growth, Not Restriction

The truth is, obedience isn’t about limitation. It’s about learning, adapting, and flourishing. Whether through suffering, tough choices, or the discipline of everyday life, obedience shapes us into better versions of ourselves. And if it was good enough for Jesus, maybe—just maybe—it’s something we should take seriously too.

Let’s get to that point where when the prince of the world (satan) comes he will find no hold on us. God help us all.