A Journey of Triumph over Tragedy By Dr. R. Victor Gray
Just keep breathing is a theology in the key of grace. God isn’t distant, He is right there with you, literally residing in the core of your very being. God is love—and love is what holds it all together.
Sometimes we experience tragedy and it nearly kills us. In Chicago, Illinois, on April 10, 1899, Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech based upon his personal experiences, to which he argued that strenuous effort and overcoming hardship were ideals to be embraced by Americans for the betterment of the individual, the nation and the world in the 20th century.1
We would never invite tragedy, nor do the effects of such a thing ever look desirable; however, most would agree those that have weathered extreme tragedy, tribulation, and turmoil often emerge as more admirable spiritual people. It is a strange conundrum. You wouldn’t want this for yourself, your children, or really anyone, yet we all likely would agree that in an eschatological or redemptive sense – we would all be better people should we have to endure such a thing. We see this in many ways such as Christianity traditionally thriving during times of persecution.2 Theologically, (unless you’re an extreme Calvinist) no one believes that God did this to you. That clearly isn’t the character of God. Perhaps or maybe he simply “allowed” it to happen within a fallen broken world. We don’t have His eyes to see these or fully understand such events from the eyes of a sovereign God. But He asks us to trust Him and in our covenant faithfulness, through enduring faith He will walk with us and bear our burdens. My friend Paul Dazet points out that God works relentlessly to heal. Always. Not by force, but by love. Not from a distance, but from within. Healing is slow, stubborn, often unseen—but it’s always in motion.3
Suffering has a way of revealing what we truly believe. When life hurts, faith is tested, and character is refined. James 5:10–11 invites believers to look to the examples of the prophets and Job to understand endurance in hardship. These verses remind us that suffering is not meaningless and that the God of compassion and mercy always perseveres for us.
Today nearly everyone I know is facing challenges that can draw parallels from Victor’s experience. In a world where pain and uncertainty are prevalent, Victor’s story encourages believers to hold onto their faith even when answers seem elusive. It emphasizes that questioning and seeking understanding are natural parts of the faith journey. Faithful believers can apply Victor’s example by finding strength in their beliefs, seeking support from their faith communities, and allowing their experiences to deepen their spiritual lives. Victor’s resilience serves as a reminder that enduring hardships can ultimately reinforce one’s faith and provide a sense of purpose and hope deeply within the healing arms of the Savior.
I pray that this work inspires you to persevere, to deepen your faith and trust, and find and flourish in the destiny that Jesus has for you.
May you trust that love is working, even when you can’t see it.
May you find courage to say yes to healing, one small moment at a time.
And may you know that your story, every broken, beautiful piece of it.
Is part of something larger than you can imagine.
Amen!
This piece is a foreword by Dr. Will Ryan to “Just Keep Breathing, A Journey of Triumph over Tragedy” By Dr. R. Victor Gray is slated to be released by TKC Publishing in early 2026.
- Thayer, William Roscoe (1919). “Chapter I”. Theodore Roosevelt: An Intimate Biography. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 20. ↩︎
- Edward Kessler (18 February 2010). An Introduction to Jewish-Christian Relations. Cambridge University Press. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-1-139-48730-6. ↩︎
- A Wounded Healer’s Journal ↩︎
EXPEDITION 44 