We all have rough patches from time to time, but sometimes we go through something particularly painful. It is gut-wrenching, miserable, and we struggle to make sense of it. I usually find myself peppering God with questions of "Why me? Why now? Why this?" Our God is big enough to handle our questions, our hurt and our anger, and if we take the time to listen to His response, He has a lot to say. If you'd like to come along for the ride, I'd love to show you a few of my favorite scriptures that have gotten me through quite a few of these faith-testing trials.
Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Our suffering, difficult as it is, is not in vain. God can use our most painful moments to grow us as a person, and ultimately to give us hope. These verses also remind us that it is ok not to have it all together. When we are weak, we realize how much we depend on God’s strength and not our own. I can hear Him a lot clearer when I don't have the "I can do this by myself" attitude clouding my headspace. When we choose to react to our own suffering by clinging to Jesus for hope and strength, it is such a juxtaposition to how the rest of the world reacts, and Jesus shines through us all the more brightly in these situations.
Micah 7:7
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me. Hebrews 2:10 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Praise God that He listens to His children, and promises to be with us through all of life's surprises, trials, and disappointments. He has not left us alone to deal with this all on our own. We can always count on His presence and His listening ear. He is with us on those mountain top moments, and He is with us in the darkest valleys to comfort us.
Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. It brings me great comfort that Jesus himself was no stranger to suffering. He cared about us so much that He became a man and dealt with every trial and temptation that we humans face. He knows exactly what we are going through, and can empathize with our pain and weakness.
Job 38:4
"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand." Genesis 50:20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." 
You know, sometimes I forget how limited our earthly perspective is. The God who laid the foundation of the earth is still in charge, and His plan is perfect even when we don't understand. Before the beginning of time, He already knew all of the things that would happen to us - the good, the bad, the ugly. He still thought it was worthwhile to create the earth, create us, and send Jesus to save us from our sinful mess He already knew we'd end up in. He is also capable of using the bad times to create beauty, to save lives, to further His kingdom. In the verses leading up to Genesis 50:20, Joseph was sold into slavery and falsely accused, but God still used him to save countless lives during a famine in Egypt. In a similar way, God can use the raw, painful events in our lives to position us to help others and save lives - He can turn our misery into our ministry.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. God's plan and purpose are good and perfect. "Good," though, does not necessarily mean easy, comfortable, or even enjoyable. No, God already knew that our lives would be full of strife and suffering, but He promises to work it all together for good - for righteousness, for the furtherance of His kingdom, for the saving of many lives. God is more than capable of using our imperfect lives to carry out His will!
2 Corinthians 1:9-10
Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us. 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 
I'll never forget hearing these passages in a sermon from a Ukrainian pastor in reference to the ongoing war - these verses brought him such comfort and hope, and I find it does the same for me. If God can deliver us from death itself, why should we be afraid? No problem is too big for Him. All He asks is that we lay our burdens down at His feet and rely on Him to take care of them. It is so easy to let our limited perspective try to put God in a box, but He is able to deliver us from anything! It may not be when we want, or how we thought it would happen, but He has not forgotten about us. Whether or not He chooses to deliver us from our light and momentary troubles, He has already delivered us from death, and He promises we will be with Him again in Christ! I've heard it said that "Earth is short, and heaven is long." Whatever we endure in our short tenure on Earth, the eternal glory we will enjoy in Jesus' presence will outshine it all. Now that is something worth putting our hope in.
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Article by: Makaya Barnett, Paula's Hope Staff Volunteer |
Jesus was sent by the Father to the earth for a purpose, "for this purpose the Son of God was revealed, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8 MEV).
What are the works of the devil? Satan wants to separate man from God for eternity, which is spiritual death.
God gave Adam a free will just as He gave you and me and all mankind. Adam used his free will to sin, which caused him to be cut off from God. This is spiritual death. And, just like God said he would, Adam died—spiritually! When a person dies spiritually they're separated from God. When they are separated from God, that separation, or death, was instant. The moment he violated God's command Adam died. He became spiritually dead.
Adam's body took another 900 years or so to die because he really didn't know how to die. He wasn't made to die. He was made to live forever, but he died. Adam's physical death was progressive. Though he died instantly in the spirit; physically, he died progressively.
Death doesn't come from God, it comes from the one who perverted things, and that's the devil. God is not the author of death. He is not taking you out of here with death.
thanks BWM
God gave Adam a free will just as He gave you and me and all mankind. Adam used his free will to sin, which caused him to be cut off from God. This is spiritual death. And, just like God said he would, Adam died—spiritually! When a person dies spiritually they're separated from God. When they are separated from God, that separation, or death, was instant. The moment he violated God's command Adam died. He became spiritually dead.
Adam's body took another 900 years or so to die because he really didn't know how to die. He wasn't made to die. He was made to live forever, but he died. Adam's physical death was progressive. Though he died instantly in the spirit; physically, he died progressively.
Death doesn't come from God, it comes from the one who perverted things, and that's the devil. God is not the author of death. He is not taking you out of here with death.
thanks BWM
ONGOING COURSES & STUDIES
A man cannot be passive about what Scripture tells him to do for his family and expect to be found faithful to God in the end. He must see with spiritual eyes and realize that future generations are directly impacted by his daily decisions.”
—The Resolution for Men
"The RESOLUTION for Men" Study
~ SATURDAYS from 8am - 9:30am ~
Paula's Hope Office/Education Bldg.
317 W. Poplar St., Rogers, AR ~ Phone: 479-372-4370
The Resolution for Men is the inspiring book born out of Courageous, the film by the makers of Fireproof back in fall 2011.
The movie, which presents a powerful story of strong male leadership, is an emotionally charged wake-up call to fathers whose influence upon their children and society is immeasurable. The Resolution for Men follows to challenge men of all ages to become as bold and intentional about embracing their responsibilities as leaders of their homes, marriages, and children.
—The Resolution for Men
"The RESOLUTION for Men" Study
~ SATURDAYS from 8am - 9:30am ~
Paula's Hope Office/Education Bldg.
317 W. Poplar St., Rogers, AR ~ Phone: 479-372-4370
The Resolution for Men is the inspiring book born out of Courageous, the film by the makers of Fireproof back in fall 2011.
The movie, which presents a powerful story of strong male leadership, is an emotionally charged wake-up call to fathers whose influence upon their children and society is immeasurable. The Resolution for Men follows to challenge men of all ages to become as bold and intentional about embracing their responsibilities as leaders of their homes, marriages, and children.
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Written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, screenwriters of Courageous and authors of New York Times No. 1 best seller The Love Dare (five million copies sold), The Resolution for Men strategically inspires men to reconcile with their past, re-engage in the present by taking full responsibility for their wives and children, and then move forward with a bold and clear resolution for the future.
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~Upcoming Events~
~ This August~ |
~New Classes Start This September~ |
Starts: Wednesday, August 23rd at Cross Church Pinnacle (2448 S. Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers) ~ 6pm-8pm ~ ~ Childcare and Dinner Provided ~ Contact Dave Schell @ 479-466-5170 to learn more. ALSO AVAILABLE:
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Location for all classes:
Paula's Hope Educational Building 319 W. Poplar St., Rogers TWO "KEYS TO FREEDOM"
8 week Study for Women: Start's Sept. 14th Thursdays: 1pm - 2:10pm 6pm - 7:30pm TWO "KEYS TO FREEDOM"
8 week Study for Men:
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