This post is based on reporting by Christianity Today. Read the original story here: A Russian Drone Killed My Brother. Is the World Tired of Our Suffering?
The Story
Four years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Four years of war. Four years of death, destruction, displacement, and grief.
A Ukrainian theologian tells a personal story: his younger brother Andriy, a military medical doctor who spent two and a half years saving wounded soldiers at the front, was killed by a Russian drone — on his 33rd birthday. The same age as Christ when He went to the cross.
The theologian writes: “War destroys not only with bullets. It destroys dreams, plans, and the future. What is the future when the present is so uncertain?”
His family has buried six members. Five more are serving at the front.
As pressure grows for a “peace deal” that would reward Russian aggression and leave millions under occupation, the church faces a question: Will we be like King Hezekiah, wanting peace only for ourselves? Or will we stand with the vulnerable, even when it costs us?
Fruits of the Spirit in This Story
❤️ Love
The love shown by medical workers like Andriy — running toward danger to save lives — is the love that laid down its life for others. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” These doctors don’t just talk about love. They live it.
😄 Joy
How do people find joy in the midst of such suffering? Romans 5:3-4 says, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The hope of eternity gives joy even in the darkest circumstances. The Ukrainian church has found a joy that the world cannot understand.
☮️ Peace
But what kind of peace? The theologian warns against “Hezekiah’s error” — wanting peace only for yourself, accepting deals that move violence out of sight rather than confronting its roots. True peace isn’t just the absence of war. It’s the presence of justice. Romans 14:17 says, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
⏳ Patience
Four years of war. Four years of waiting. Four years of hoping and grieving. The Ukrainian people have displayed extraordinary patience. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” This is patience not as passivity, but as active hope.
💚 Kindness
Despite their suffering, Ukrainian churches have shown incredible kindness — taking in refugees, caring for the wounded, sharing what little they have. Romans 12:13, “distributing to the needs of the saints.”
✨ Goodness
The goodness in this story isn’t from the governments or the powerful. It’s from the ordinary people — doctors, soldiers, volunteers — who choose good over evil when no one is watching. Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
💙 Faithfulness
Andriy was faithful to his calling — saving lives at the front for two and a half years. The theologian’s family has lost six members, with five more serving. This is faithfulness even unto death. Romans 8:35-39 asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” The answer: nothing. Not even war.
🕊️ Gentleness
How does one respond to such evil with gentleness? The theologian writes with measured grief, not hatred. He calls the church to prophetic witness, not revenge. This is gentleness under fire — strength controlled by grace.
🎯 Self-Control
In the midst of grief, anger, and injustice, self-control is essential. It’s easy to lash out, to call for vengeance, to give up hope. But Romans 6:12-13 says, “Let not sin reign in your mortal body… Rather, offer yourselves to God.”
A Reflection
Four years. Let that sink in.
We complain about four-hour traffic delays. These people have lived through four years of war.
The theologian asks a piercing question: “Is the world tired of our suffering?”
The church must answer differently than the world. We are called to remember. We are called to stand in solidarity. We are called to pursue justice, not just comfort.
Hezekiah wanted peace for himself, even if it meant harm for his children. That’s the temptation: look out for #1, let someone else deal with the consequences.
But we are the body of Christ. When one member suffers, all suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). The Ukrainian church is not separate from us. They are our brothers and sisters.
A Prayer
Lord, we pray for Ukraine. We pray for the families who have lost loved ones. We pray for the soldiers on the front lines. We pray for the church in Ukraine — that they would be strengthened in their suffering, that they would find joy in the midst of sorrow, that they would be a light to the world.
We confess that we grow weary of others’ suffering. Forgive us. Help us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, even when it costs us.
Give us patience as we wait for Your kingdom to come. Give us courage to pursue justice, not just peace. Give us love that lays down our lives for others.
We ask for peace — not just the absence of war, but the presence of Your righteousness.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
This is part of a daily journey through the New Testament, focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit found in Romans.