Diane Ritchey
Creative Writer | Editor and Mental Health Coach
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Knowing Christ in His Suffering and Resurrection
The closer we walk with Jesus, the more our lives are shaped to look like His. He gives us His heart, and that gift includes the willingness to suffer as He did.
Key Verse: "My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death." — Philippians 3:10
I remember back in 2020, during the dreadful times of COVID and isolation, I would retreat to my “prayer room,” which was really a corner of our bedroom that became a very precious space. I spent endless hours talking with Jesus and had countless supernatural experiences with Him. This only came about through deep intimacy and a deeper surrender and dying to myself.
I learned so many beautiful things during that time, but the most important was that I can be as close to Jesus as I want to be. He is always there waiting for me with open arms. Someone with more theological knowledge could probably put this into better words, but I can honestly say that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, the more clearly I’ve understood His heart.
No, I’m not claiming to understand the inner workings of God’s heart. But I began to experience a deeper level of discernment, moments when I could sense the burden someone was carrying before they ever opened their mouth. I began to weep at times when I saw abuse and brokenness. I would feel a pain in my chest with a call to pray and intercede for things that I didn’t always know the reasoning behind.
Six years later, I’ve learned that this may be as close as I’ll ever come to understanding the suffering Christ bears for His children—and even then, I know it’s only a small glimpse of what He truly endured.
I once believed my tears were a sign of weakness, especially when faced with so much brokenness. Now, led by the Holy Spirit, I see that this tenderness of heart is not a flaw but a gift from Him. Before I encountered Christ, I don’t believe I could have felt this pull to pray without the Holy Spirit awakening it within me.
I don’t always handle suffering well, and I’m still learning and growing in so many ways. But I can honestly say, even with fear and trembling, that deep in my heart I believe it is a true privilege to carry and identify with Christ in His suffering.
Paul instructs us in Galatians 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We come to Jesus just as we are, with open and honest hearts, laying every struggle, every weakness, and every selfish tendency at His feet. Our confidence rests in Him alone. Romans 8:13: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Day To Day
I know that our Christian walk is ultimately led by the Holy Spirit, but sometimes I need someone to give me tangible steps of what this might look like on a daily basis.
Beginning my day with intentional God time:
● Listening quietly to hear if He has something to say
● Reading His Word
● Listening to worship music
● Interceding for my friends and family, and needs around the world
What I do in my human interactions:
● Choose kindness
● Extend grace
● Receive honest feedback without taking offense
● Assuming best intentions
● Forgive, forgive, and forgive again
Walking in Godly wisdom:
● Asking God to fill my mouth with his words
● If I don’t know, do nothing and pray
● Seek Godly mentoring from much older people
● Knowing without Him, I am weak
● Constantly aware that it is not up to me alone, but Christ through me
I definitely struggle and fail sometimes, but I do my best as the Holy Spirit guides me. You don’t have to have it all figured out. The Holy Spirit who dwells in me also dwells in you, and He will guide you with love, each step of the way.
Filled with hope
As we approach Easter and anticipate the hope of Christ's resurrection, we do not despair when we experience suffering. I love the passage in the book of John where it says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I love that we can stand in victory and hold onto hope, trusting that one day we’ll be with Him forever, where every bit of suffering will be gone, and joy will never end.
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Letting go is not abandonment (https://dianeritchey.substack.com/p/letting-go-is-not-abandonment)
JAN 03, 2026
Like a rose
we need pruning
to be fully alive
the dead parts must fall off
what is forced is smothering
let it go
let it fall away
release
trust that it wasn’t meant for you
know that good and beautiful things are ahead
accept the hard
breathe
give it to God
accept the beautiful
dream again
try new things
dare to grow and learn something new
believe in you
even if no one else does
I do
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Fists clenched and turning blue
I’m trying, I’m trying
what is it that I can’t seem to let go of
am I controlling
how does gripping tightly help
what can I possibly do by holding on
I’m just a human being
isn't Almighty God capable
But…………….
what I know now
is no amount of gripping tightly will change a thing
Lord, help me let go
why is surrender so scary
I feel if I do I will lose it
I trust you Lord
I think
Lord, unclench my fists
please
The hard truth is that none of us has control over much. Let that sink in a little bit! Doesn’t that feel a bit scary? I mean, we do have some control, like what we eat and drink, who we hang around, where we attend church, and what we engage in. But when it comes to things like our health, natural disasters, wars, and the weather, we have zero control.
Here is what I know for sure. The Lord God of the universe will sit with us as we struggle to let go. He holds deep compassion for us as we navigate what life brings. I also know that in my own strength, I cannot possibly let go of control. I sometimes have to ask minute by minute and every single day for His Holy Spirit Power to strengthen me to let go and release all my worries and fears to Him.
Friend, are your fists clenched? Are they turning blue from holding so tightly? Oh, how my heart aches for you! I know exactly where you are, and I am praying for you right now.
Christ beside you, Christ above you, Christ before you, Christ behind you, Christ all around you.
Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know that I am God”
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I met a total stranger today who really touched my heart. She lives in extreme poverty, in a third-world country, going through a major economic crisis. To get to work every day, she has to catch a bus, and her alarm clock goes off at 4:30 am. By the end of the workday, she is absolutely wiped out! She’s a wife, a dedicated Mom, and an active volunteer at her church every Sunday.
Hearing her story made me want to take a nap. But more importantly, she made me stop and think, “How would I respond if I were living her life?” Yikes! I have a pretty easy life overall, yet I still find myself complaining about small inconveniences. I live in a nice house, drive a nice car, have a full pantry, and pay all my bills without a worry. And yet, sometimes I complain about the taste of my coffee or the fact that I need to make dinner again.
Our call started at 6 am my time and 8 pm hers. I showed up fully caffeinated and ready to roll, and as soon as she joined the call, I was greeted by one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. She exuded pure JOY!
Most of our conversation was introductory, getting to know one another. The depth of her questions was incredible, and they caused me to pause and go deep. She wanted to know what my spiritual disciplines were like. I openly shared those with her, and then she began to share with me. To have time with Jesus before leaving for work, she gets up at 4:30 am and spends time in prayer, Bible study, and worship. How? How does she keep up?
After two beautiful hours together, I ended the meeting in prayer, and we agreed to meet next Saturday, at the same time. I left the call and realized that something unusual had happened.
The Mentee had mentored the Mentor
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