Let’s kick off Season 10 of Geek Devotions with a trip into the sewers. This week, we’re diving into a story that’s not just gritty, but surprisingly deep—Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.

It’s not your usual pizza-loving, one-liner-packed TMNT adventure. Instead, it’s heavy. It’s raw. And right in the middle of all that intensity is a powerful reminder for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up.

We unpacked that in our latest episode of Geek Devotions. If you’d rather watch than read, you can check out the full video below or read on.

The Last One Standing

In The Last Ronin, things have gone sideways. All the turtles are gone, except for Michelangelo. The city is ruled by the Shredder’s grandson. Everything Mikey knew is gone, and the weight of that grief nearly crushes him.

He’s ready to quit.

But he doesn’t. He digs in. He trains. He chooses to become something more than what his pain was trying to make him. And that moment, that shift, is what stood out the most.

This is more than a ninja revenge story. It’s a picture of what happens when trauma doesn’t win.

Mikey had every reason to give up. He had lost everything. But instead of letting trauma write the rest of his story, he allowed it to push him to grow not just for himself, but for the sake of the next generation.

That same idea shows up in Scripture, too.

Joseph’s Story in the Middle of Pain

In the book of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. Lied about. Thrown into prison. Forgotten. But through all of it, he remained faithful.

When his story finally comes full circle and he stands in a position of authority, he tells his brothers:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.– Genesis 50:20

God didn’t cause Joseph’s pain, but He used it. He worked through it. And in doing so, He prepared Joseph for something bigger than Joseph could’ve seen in the moment.

You’re Not Stuck Here

Maybe you’re going through something hard right now. Maybe you feel like everything’s falling apart. If that’s you, hear this: the trauma is real, but it doesn’t have to stop you. Your pain doesn’t get to define your future.

God hasn’t left you. He sees you. And He’s working, even in the mess.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to be okay today. But don’t give up. Don’t shut down. There’s more ahead than you think.

What you’re walking through now may end up being the exact thing that helps someone else later.

You are loved. You are cared for. There is a plan and a purpose for your life. Do not give up.