Obedience, Suffering and Salvation

Dear Reader,

Today in my readings I was guided to Hebrews 5:8–9:

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

This passage carries both mystery and wisdom. It tells us that even Christ, the Son of God, “learned” obedience through suffering—and by doing so became the source of salvation for all who obey Him.

Whether or not one accepts the Bible as divine scripture, the words themselves hold great truth: obedience, suffering, and salvation are inseparably linked.

For me in recovery, I have learned that obedience often looks like following the guidance of a sponsor or trusted friends in AA. Almost always, this guidance leads me to a quiet calm and a peace of mind. At times, however, obedience brings discomfort—especially when I am asked to face resentments, make amends, or clean up my side of the street. Yet in the end, I discover that the suffering of pride or self-will opens the door to a higher plane of happiness, leaving the shadows of my past behind.

One example stands out. After my divorce, I continued to “bad mouth” my first wife to family and friends. It was easy to justify my resentment, since others agreed with my side of the story. But carrying that torch of resentment chained me to the past and kept me from moving forward into a freer life.

Eventually, through my sponsor’s direction, I saw the marriage more honestly. I recognized my own actions that had contributed to its failures. I wrote a letter of amends. That act—simple yet difficult—broke the hold of resentment and released me to live more joyfully.

In that moment, obedience led me through the suffering of wounded pride into the salvation of peace. I also discovered new strength in “handling situations which used to baffle me.” For me, salvation can be described simply as a life with fewer resentments and a way to heal them when they arise.

I leave you, dear reader, with these reflections from others who speak to the same truth:

C. S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity:
“The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.”

Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning:
“In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Step Five:
“We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past. Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease.”

In the end, obedience is less about blind submission and more about trust—trusting God, trusting the process, and trusting that even suffering has a purpose. My journey has shown me that when I accept this path, I find not only release from resentment but also a deeper joy and peace. I hope you, dear reader, may also discover in your own way that through obedience and endurance, salvation—however you define it—can be both present and real.