As I survey the New Testament teaching regarding trials, two truths stand out. I wish it were not so, but it is true. So rejoice and be glad and take comfort; you have no reason to fear. (He told his conversion story in the bestseller Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.) A student understands that God allows hard times in order to help him grow. The noun form of the word difficult is difficulty, which alludes to trouble. Gordon Dickson Encouragement in Hard Times, 1 The Greek word for “unsettled” actually means to “wag the tail.” It has the idea of being shaken by circumstances so that you fall away from the right path in life. He is all powerful, all knowing, and ever-present. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Or perhaps we’ve just gone through a divorce and we feel rejected and alone. From this passage I want to share with you five truths about hard times. David knew that it is hard to avoid fretting. A touch from the shepherd’s staff and the presence of his rod is reassuring to the heart. No, in the midst of the storm, I do not have to worry about my salvation, and for that I praise you, God. Maybe you've lost your job, are battling a chronic illness or your marriage is falling apart. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless” (v. 5). As I thought about the matter, I concluded that even if I had the power (which I don’t), I wouldn’t take the pain away or make the hard times disappear. A student understands that God allows hard times in order to help him grow. A student focuses on helping others so that he has no time to feel sorry for himself. May these inspirational bible verses provide that same heavenly comfort to you in your difficult times. 1 Peter 4:7-11: You are unique and God has a plan for you, but your days are limited. There is much fear and concern not only about the future, there is fear of the here and now. God’s Protection from Harm in These Crisis Times. Summary: There are key B=biblical truths to live by when the world is facing a pandemic. It was from Lorna. If you are facing fear, anxiety, the loss of a job or family member, Joyce Meyer reminds us how to trust God when it seems like the end of times. Then she walked out of my office. You can get the words of encouragement for a friend who is going through tough times of his/her life. We prayed, and I know it was a divine appointment. As Tony Evans has pointed out, everything that happens in the world is either caused by God or allowed by God, and there is no third category. Our friends watch to see how we will respond to tragedy. Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. Psalm 23: God, Jehova-Rohi—the Lord is my shepherd, knows where you are, and he will answer you. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright © 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. Second, your particular trial doesn’t matter as much as how you respond to it. Ephesians 1:15-16; 3:1; 3:13-21: Be encouraged! Explanatory note: the following Scriptures are not presented in “sermon” format. She wants to be free but the pain of coming off heroin is so great that she cannot face it. Second, he tempts us to retaliate against others with anger and resentment. Things may appear impossible, but with God you’ll have the victory. You may not see a way out of the situation you find yourself walking in today; but know this, you are not alone. So many believers struggle because they try to handle their problems alone. People need to be encouraged today. Loss—yes. The shepherd is always looking to protect his sheep. It seems tough times don’t have any problem finding each of us. The strength and power of the spirit of God is within you. (part 10), Discouraged? A situation may look dark and the shadows of all the problems you are walking through might appear impossible to you at the moment. Faith in God’s Character—that he is good and makes no mistake. Let no one condemn her, but instead let us consider our own lives and realize how vulnerable we are to Satan’s attacks. But that’s how life is sometimes. It’s a story of Grace and God’s sovereignty over evil. Sermons: TRUSTING GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES. This message encourages faith over fear and helps you understand and apply some promises of God to your life. Our trials often come with very little warning. Give Careful Thought to Your Ways and Be Renewed, Encouragement for Moms - Nameless Heroes With Hearts of Love, Faced With a Difficult Situation? Satan tempts us to fall away during our trials. I don’t know what the future holds for Nabeel, but as I pray for his healing, I also pray that his faith might remain strong. One day I joined him on Moody Radio for Primetime America, the program he hosted each weekday afternoon. From the shadows they watch us as we suffer to see if what we have is real or not. How does the devil tempt us in hard times? God is calling you to a deeper spiritual commitment and to fulfill the call of God on your life. Living by the truths in this message will enable you to enjoy God’s peace while those in this world panic. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: Does your life show evidence of faith? James 1:2 reminds us to “Count it all joy” when you encounter various trials. Listen to the Spirit of God and press in. And those who are following ever so close to him.
We all encounter difficult seasons and circumstances in our life. Michael Thacker. I personally have much more confidence in someone who expects trouble and prepares for it than in someone who goes through life singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” The truth is, every rose has its thorns, and the sooner we understand that the happier we will be. Stop in your tracks and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. In my office we quoted Bible verses together. James 1:12 ~ Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When hard times come, be a student, not a victim.” Over 20 years have passed since that day, and I still regard that simple sentence as one of the most profound things I have ever heard. Don’t fight the battle alone. Find hope in El Shaddai: There's power in the name! A victim feels so sorry for himself that he has no time for others. A student asks, “How much of this did I bring on myself?”, A victim looks at everyone else and cries out, “Life isn’t fair.” A student looks at life and says, “What happened to me could have happened to anyone.”. That was on Thursday. What a difference it makes to be a student and not a victim: A victim says, “Why did this happen to me?” A student says, “What can I learn from this?”, A victim blames other people for his problems. First, he tempts us to doubt God’s goodness. When trials come: pray, trust the Lord and walk in faith. Mark 15:22-27, 33-37: If you’re facing an impossible situation or you’re just tired of the constant flow of bad news, this message is for you! Whatever you're experiencing, Jesus knows, and He’s able to deliver you. Paul Washer is founder of the HeartCry Missionary Society. In fact, a form of this word, parakletos is used for the Holy Spirit. When God Almighty steps in, miracles happen. Try our selection of worship songs and sing along! You may go through times of suffering but God is with you. Look to Jesus and you will find the strength you need. Your difficult time could be: the loss of a job, death of a family member, a relationship problem with another person, disease in your family, a problem at work. Many of them are unbelievers who wonder if Christ is real. Look Unto Me and Be Ye Saved, All the Ends of the Earth. I can think of three obvious answers to that question. Some people may regard this as a negative, but to me it is a positive. Hard times eventually wear us down. Heartache—yes. No accidents! I have compiled 30 Bible verses that have been helping me during my trials, comforting me, and giving me peace. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. During our interview with him, he sounded very strong and confident in all his answers. When that happens, everything we believe will be put on the firing line. When you’re an imitator of the Lord, you become a model of how a person of faith should act and live. Here Paul plainly says that we can overcome our trials by faith. A Message of Hope & Encouragement for Hard Times, Lessons From Revelation's 7 Churches (part 2) - Smyrna: A Call Not to Fear, Lessons From Revelation's 7 Churches (part 1) - Ephesus: A Call to Return to Your First Love. A victim believes his hard times have come because God is trying to punish him. Remember the shepherd and the shepherd’s tools. She then adds this P.S. Allow the word of God to light your path and the Holy Spirit to be a very present help. We never suffer alone. I am glad to share it because it is truly encouraging.
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