Thank God that He will never abandon you, no matter what comes your way. Salem Media Group. Or perhaps they challenge our thinking during a Bible study session. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:8-11). Yet, it is altogether too easy to find ourselves filling life with times of christian songs, bible readings, and even prayer, while missing true communion with Himself. It’s easier said than done but rejoice in your hard times by looking for the Lord in your situation. God gave the prophets the words to say and the provision they needed (e.g., 1 Kings 17; Jonah 4:6–7; Exodus 16). The comfort we can have in trials. An alright self-help book about how we can use difficult times to grow. God not only allows Himself to be found by us, He desires it. How does God help us grow? Learn to grow, finds its way, Make the best of this short-lived stay.” —José Gonzaleź, “Every Age”. May 2017 He cares for those who trust in him…" February 2017 Martha had a choice to make when Jesus let Lazarus die. We will come out “as gold,” tested, tried, and true. March 2019 Accept the challenge to obey God's command to grow - 2Pe 3:18 b. Growth often means pain. Every branch of the tree has to learn. There is definitely an appropriate time to grieve after a loss or tragedy, but we just don't want to get stuck there. See the book, Jesus’ Economy. It will draw us closer to God. But when lived, these words will transform us. So how does the Bible help us grow? And if there is a need for us to learn a lesson, He’ll take advantage of our mistakes to help us grow. September 2017 And when hard times do come, turn to Him and ask Him to use them to help you grow in your faith. But God, in His wisdom, grace, and love, has provided a way to redeem those hard times in our lives: He uses them to help us grow. Growth often means pain. March 2018 Someone says a kind word or prays with us during a difficult time. Don’t forget to also read these motivational survival quotes that will help get through the tough times. And in the uncertainty, God made that happen. Suffering is part of the call to serve Jesus: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 LEB). It caused us to rebel against Him and engage in denial and self-deception. Just look at the life of Joseph. At JesusEconomy.com, people can shop fair trade and align their giving with their passion. “Hard times always lead to something great.” – Betsey Johnson. In my studies over the years, I’ve discovered some quotes that are positively life-transforming. The Bible tells us … Hard times is part of life ,but God is giving us assurance in Romans 8:28 that ALL things will work altogether for good to those who love Him. The prophets had to learn and grow. In fact, the last four years have been about our family learning how to have faith in God during hard times. I’ve learned in my years of walking with Jesus that there are 5 reasons why God allows us to go through hard times. December 2017 If the mother cow didn’t nudge her calf along, it would never see the green pasture outside the barn. Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. November 2019 by John D. Barry, founder of Jesus' Economy. @Kids Church: God uses hard times to help us be more like Him. 22. February 2020 Reason #1: To Glorify God. September 2018 ... On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. All rights reserved. We must move along. JesusEconomy.com. Keeping faith in God during hard times can be extremely difficult.. 1. Here are 4 signs God is at work in the chaos of COVID-19. Knowing the future sounds wonderful, but it would ruin the present. God is going to make a man/woman out of you. January 2017 In the first 13 verses we are given some understanding of the purpose of trials that come our way. If God didn’t nudge us along into the unknown, we would never experience the joy of others coming to Christ, of our relationships with him growing. God is good to give us the greatest gift he can give us, which is more of himself. Having faith in God during difficult times can be incredibly hard. And in the uncertainty, God made that happen. It separated us from our Creator and our true nature. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. September 2019 Think of your growing pains as a child—that summer when your legs hurt so bad that you couldn’t seem to drink enough milk. Knowing the future sounds wonderful, but it would ruin the present. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. At the right time, God can do anything instantly. And growth without pain is an oxymoron. This is how faith is; it is often like growing pains. Inspiration from Jesus’ Economy, a Nonprofit that Created Jobs & Churches 2012–20. So this passage speaks to us to help us in our time of trial when we need understanding and comfort. Your body was transforming. 2. Other times, however, relational growth can be difficult. God Allows Suffering to Bring Us Closer to Him. November 2018 It would live a life that was boring, sad, and stagnant. And He often uses hard times to get our attention. If God is for us who can be against us? In Isaiah 60:22 , God says, “I am the Lord, and when it is time, I will make these things happen quickly” (NCV). “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. September 2016 7 Promises of God to Remember His Love For Us. We know why suffering should be counted as joy, because it will change us for the better. June 2016, Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel: God uses hard times to help us grow. Excruciating. May 2018 This fall marred the original design of God’s creation in many ways. The Lord sends adversity to help us, not to hurt us. It isn’t always about you. But I want to testify that trusting God in difficult times (even finding joy through trials!) 3. The future is only God’s to behold (compare Ecclesiastes 8:7). I am reminded of the way God cares for us. April 2017 As in all things, God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow more and more into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). March 2017 We all have to learn to find our way. God tells us to fix our eyes on Him. Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.". God uses all of these relationships to teach us important life lessons and to help us grow in Him. Even physically painful. We must embrace the uncertain ground, knowing that in this field and in the next, and in the one after that, we will grow and learn. His plans will not be thwarted and his people will not be overcome. July 2018 God’s purpose for allowing pain is to achieve something good. God is always with us. June 2018 Here are seven promises to remind us that God will bring good from the storms we face: 1. But when trials come, they often drive us to our knees in search of answers and comfort. The Psalm 37 message teaches us to delight in the Lord, it reminds us of the ultimate fate of both the wicked and those who choose to follow God, it reassures us that the Lord is fighting for us, but most important, it shows us exactly how to trust God in difficult times. Proud member This is the goal of the Christian, and everything in life, including the trials and tribulations, is designed to enable us to reach that goal. As I have reflected over the events of the past few days and months I was drawn to the first chapter of James. July 2017 Yet the uncertainty of life often overwhelms us. It affected our physical bodies, bringing sickness and death into the world. Ultimately, I believe that God is after a deeper relationship with us. Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel: God uses hard times to help us grow Bible Reading: 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. November 2017 I find I … John D. Barry is a Bible scholar and the CEO of Jesus’ Economy, an innovative non-profit creating jobs and churches in the developing world. When things are going great we are not so quick to turn to Him. If I want God to use me for big things, I must pass the little tests. spreading the gospel through church planting, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. October 2016 If you look back at the lives of the prophets—from Moses to Elijah to Jonah—it is clear that their lives were often lived in the uncertainty. God is going to reveal Himself in your situation but when your eyes are focused on the problem it becomes harder to see Him. 1. 5. June 2019 Sometimes this growth comes in the form of encouragement. And when that happens, we need to ask God to help our faith grow. It might seem hard, but remember God is on your side. This Bible study post was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2020. (Genesis 29:16-17) Sermon Outline A. Jacob goes to Laban 1. What do you want to be when you grow up? Think about Jesus, who suffered severe hardship. August 2017 of February 2019 August 2016 In the case of the apostle Paul, God protected him from pride and taught him to depend on Christ (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Published August 26, 2008 Kids Church, This Week with NEXTgeneration Kids Leave a Comment. The psalmist prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). Trials are more than simply unavoidable aspects of life. However, I want you to know that not only can our faith grow in times of challenge, but we can discover great joy through trials (some of my favorite Bible verses about joy echo this truth).. March 2020 December 2016 Sometimes we would love to pray away, prophesy away or rebuke away these challenges, but God actually sent them to accomplish a purpose. Most of us think about what we will become, as a job… a veterinarian, police officer, teacher… maybe president? - Job 23:10. January 2020 God knows our way, and we are only passing through. Without that pain, you wouldn’t be who you are today. He knows the difficult life ahead, just like this mother cow, but he wants us to enjoy our time in the green pasture nonetheless (Psalm 23). But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4 LEB). November 2016 "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." April 2019 Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. If God says it is in his will to move along—if he nudges our heart—we should do so (Luke 9:62). The good that has come from trials. They are part of God’s plan. But God's plan is for us to bounce back, get in the driver's seat, then go pick up other hurting people who are under the bus. February 2018 But God can use them to show us our weaknesses. When Life is Hard: A Bible Study on Trials. We all have to grow. December 2018 More Stories Bible verses about hard times. On the day of salvation I will help you” ( Isaiah 49:8 NCV). Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. October 2017 Quotes about getting through hard times. July 2016 Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.". Genesis 3 tells the story of mankind’s fall from grace. It may be hard to hear these words, and I know from experience, that they are even harder to live. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Not to make us writhe about in pain and suffering, but to show us a better way (1 Cor 12:31). Suffering is often how God shows us himself. January 2018 God nudged them to unknown places—from wildernesses, to mountain tops, to foreign cities—but he was there each step along the way. She could have been upset and angry with God, or she could continue to use her hardship to cling closer to … The future is only God’s to behold (compare Ecclesiastes 8:7). Regardless of the reasons you are going through adversity, be strong and patient because the Lord will help you. August 2018 God can be missed in these things when He is not sought for Himself, but only treated as a means to an end. October 2018 I want God to trust me with his big tasks, but God doesn’t give us the big tasks without testing us in the little things. THE GROWTH WE DESIRE. 4. The prophets had to learn and grow. Watching the day-old calf frolic across the field—full of life and hope—I am filled with joy. 100% goes where the donor designates, every time — to causes such as spreading the gospel through church planting and empowering women through job creation. January 2019 He nudges us along. Tough times prove ourselves to God and they build our relationship with Him. 21. Here’s a Bible study that will help you look at your trial in a way that will help you grow. God Uses Time to Help You Grow By Rick Warren “At the right time I will hear your prayers. Means to an end like growing pains as a child—that summer when your eyes are focused on the problem becomes! 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