TRUSTING GOD IN HARD TIMES

His Goodness Is Greater Than Our Problems

CAN WE TRUST GOD AND THANK HIM IN ALL THINGS?

Even in the midst of great adversity?

WE SAY WE BELIEVE

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight…” (Prov. 3:5-6)

WE SAY WE BELIEVE

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in his way.” (Ps. 37:23)

WE SAY WE BELIEVE

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28: )

WE SAY WE BELIEVE

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

WE SAY WE KNOW

“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Is. 55:8)

BUT CAN WE TRUST HIM When Life Gets Hard?

HOW IS GOD GOOD TO US?When Life Puts Us Back On the Potter’s Wheel?

OUR STRUGGLES CAN LEAD TO GREAT BLESSINGS FOR

OTHERS

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES

JOB

Job did his best, but life fell apart.

Job didn’t know he was helping God win a cosmic contest with the devil.

Job’s godly response to his suffering brought great honor to God in heaven and in hell.

THE JEWEL FORGED IN THE JAIL

Pilgrim's Progress (1678) was written by John Bunyan…

while imprisoned

It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature.

JONI EARECKSON TADA

• A diving accident in 1967 left Joni, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands.

• Joni is the Founder of Joni and Friends International Disability Center—an international advocate for people with disabilities.

MUHAMMAD’S LOSSThe World’s Gain

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS1000 Years Newer Than Any Other OT manuscript

LT. MATTHEW MAURY

• Lt. Maury’s seagoing days ended at 33 after he broke his right leg.

• Thereafter, he devoted himself to study winds and currents.

• He is now called the ”Father of Modern Oceanography and Naval Meteorology"

ANDRE CROUCH

• As a boy, Andre could not speak without a severe stutter. He could only say complete sentences if he sang them.

• Seven Grammy Award’s later, he is often called "the father of modern gospel music"

JOSEPH’S AGONYBrought Great Ecstasy to His Family & Clan

Thrown into a pit to be killed by his brothers

Sold into slavery by his brothers

Wrongly accused for resisting sin

Forgotten in prison by a man he blessed.

Ruled Egypt & saved his family from the famine!!

YOU MEANT IT FOR EVILBut God Meant It for Good! (Gen. 50:20)

 “…FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS."

2 Cor. 12:9

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”( 2 Cor. 12:10)

ADVERSITY =NEW

OPPORTUNITIES

“Some of our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty.” 

HOW DO TOUGH TIMES CHANGE US?

A short List

WE SEE GOD BETTER

Adversity helps us see God’s love & power more clearly.

“If I’d never had a problem, I’d never know that God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God can do.”~~Andre Crouch (Thru It All)

WE HEAR GOD CLEARER

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” ( CS Lewis)

GOD DRAWS CLOSER

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Ps. 34:18)

Is. 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

DON’T WASTE YOUR SUFFERINGS

Times of suffering are valuable opportunities to grow more into the person God wants you to be now & in eternity.

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison...”2 Cor. 4:16-17