Real Men Bleed Worship — Spiritual Grit Starts Here

When life crushes you, you either run to God—or you fall apart trying to play god.

Most men talk about strength like it’s something they can earn, fake, or flex. But real spiritual grit? That’s forged in fire. This devotional challenges Christian men to step into real spiritual leadership—where trials aren’t the end, but the beginning of true strength. If you’re tired of passivity, confusion, and spiritual weakness in your home, this one’s for you.
Christian fatherhood. Daily devotional. Real talk.

God’s Word for Today
Romans 5:3 — Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. (ESV)

There are things I’ve walked through that should’ve broken me—completely. I’ve lived through seasons that stripped me down to the bone. Divorce. Financial ruin. Total emotional collapse. There were days I woke up not knowing where my next meal would come from. But one thing never left me: my relationship with God.

Not church. Not religious routines. Not feelings. God.

I’ve seen death face to face, not just in my own life, but standing beside others as a hospital and hospice chaplain. When people lose someone they love, all the illusions fade. It’s raw. Some folks blame God. They bail on what little belief they had. I’ve watched it. Sat in it. Prayed through it. Most people don’t have a relationship with Jesus—they have a cultural idea of faith that disappears when tested.

That’s not spiritual grit. That’s sand. And sand doesn’t hold a house up in a storm.

But I remember what held me together during my storm. It wasn’t a podcast or a preacher. It wasn’t positive thinking or pulling myself up by the bootstraps. It was Jesus. It was the Spirit inside me whispering, “You’re not done. I’m still with you.”

Spiritual grit is what kept me steady. And brother, if you want to lead your family well, you better have some.

I’m not talking about playing tough. I’m talking about being filled—emptied of pride, emptied of excuses, and filled with the power of God. John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” That’s not poetic. That’s the price. You want more of Jesus? Then you’ve got to make less room for yourself.

I don’t write these devotionals because I’ve figured it all out. I write because I know what it means to break—and be rebuilt by the grace of God. That’s where grit is born. Not when things go right, but when everything goes wrong, and you still praise Him.

That’s what happened to Horatio Spafford. Successful lawyer. Strong man of faith. Then came the fire that wrecked his business. Then the shipwreck that took his four daughters. Only his wife survived. In the middle of the ocean, passing over the place his daughters died, he wrote a hymn you probably know: It is well with my soul.

Man. That doesn’t come from good feelings. That comes from a soul forged in fire and filled with faith.

That’s spiritual grit.

This kind of grit doesn’t wait for blessings. It doesn’t rely on comfort. It knows God is still good, even when life hurts like hell.

This kind of grit is what we need. Not loud men with hollow words, but quiet warriors who bleed worship. Men who don’t blame God in the storm—but find Him there. Men who don’t retreat when life hits hard—but stand up, sword in hand, ready to lead with conviction.

Your sword is the Word of God. And grit is what lets you swing it when the world’s crashing down.

Spiritual grit means you keep showing up. You keep praying. You keep leading. You keep trusting—even when you don’t understand. Job said, “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15). That’s what I’m talking about.

Grit isn’t self-help. It’s Spirit-help. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” That’s the power we need. Not muscles. Not money. Power from the Spirit of God.

And it’s not about performance either. You don’t earn grit. You grow it—in pain, in pressure, in prayer. In the slow grind of real life. Grit leans into grace, not ego. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

That verse has carried me more than once.

Spiritual grit isn’t about looking strong—it’s about not letting go of Jesus when everything else falls apart.

So I’m calling you out, brother.

Stop waiting for life to get easier. It won’t. Stop thinking you’ll step up when things settle down. They won’t. If you can’t lead your family through the mess, you won’t be able to lead them in peace either.

It’s time to toughen up—not in the world’s way, but God’s way. Grit isn’t noise. It’s presence. Consistency. Stability. Your wife and kids don’t need a perfect man. They need a man who leans into Jesus when life gets hard.

That’s what real leadership looks like.

Men of the Shepherd, you’ll know you have spiritual grit when you bleed worship while still holding your sword high.

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value
Endurance through adversity proves spiritual leadership. Grit isn’t loud—it’s consistent.

Reflect / Apply / Share

1. Reflect – What’s one trial that nearly broke you—and how did it impact your faith in God?
2. Apply – What is one area in your life or leadership that needs more spiritual grit right now?
3. Share – Who in your life needs to hear about spiritual grit—and how can you speak it into them this week?

Bible References (ESV)
Romans 5:3 — Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.
John 3:30 — He must increase, but I must decrease.
Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…
Job 13:15 — Though he slay me, I will hope in him.
Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 — But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Hebrews 12:1 — …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Personal Prayer
Father, give me the kind of grit that holds on to You no matter what. I want to lead with strength that only comes from Your Spirit.

My Personal Journey & Engagement Call
These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.
If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.
To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

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