Archives For suffering

Apply the Wisdom of Creation to Your Struggles

The awesomeness of creation exists as more than beauty for us to observe.

In spite of the chaos in our culture, the world screams of order in its origin. Its predictable seasons and trustworthy laws of nature reveal wisdom in its design.

Laser Towards Milky Ways Centre Wallpaper Apply the Wisdom of Creation to Your Struggles

(Photo by http://www.ForestWander.com (CC-BY-SA-3.0), via Wikimedia Commons)

The wisdom of creation we see is explained in the Bible we read. Wisdom played such an integral role in creation that the author of Proverbs 8 personifies it as a person present with God:

“Before the hills I was brought forth . . . When He established the heavens, I was there . . . When He marked out the foundations of the earth; then I was beside Him, as a master workman”—Proverbs 8:25–33

God’s wisdom displayed in the wonders we see also proves His wisdom in all areas of life.

Including the painful ones.

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Why God Allows Us to Crash and Hurt

I’ll never forget the day when one of my daughters learned to ride her bike without training wheels. (The “fall” was an appropriate season for this event.)

As she sped down a hill toward a huge ravine, I saw written all over her face the message: “I’m not in control!”

vivozoom 51493686 w 2 Why God Allows Us to Crash and Hurt

Photo: Monkey Business Images, via Vivozoom

As she raced by me, I reached out and lifted her off the bike—saving her from the ravine but causing her to fall. As the bike launched into the abyss, my rescued daughter hopped up hotter than a hornet!

“Why did you do that, Daddy?!” To answer, I simply pointed to the bottomless gorge I saved her from. But that didn’t matter. All she could see was that I caused her to fall.

Years later, I pondered how we can carry this same attitude into our relationship with God.

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Waiting on God to Do Something

Sometimes it feels like God takes way too long.

He could stop all the pain and confusion in a moment. He could meet the need. But He doesn’t.

Waiting on God Waiting on God to Do Something

Photo: hurricanehank, via Vivozoom

Waiting on God is often confusing. He has operated this way for a long time.

When Mary and Martha of Bethany sent a message to Jesus that their brother Lazarus lay sick, Jesus stayed right where He was. When He finally did arrive, He found that Lazarus had been dead four days.

In other words, Jesus took His sweet time showing up.

Why does He do this?

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Stretching Our Prayers Past Our Pain

My prayers don’t go far enough.

Maybe your prayers need some stretching too.

Streching Our Prayers2 Stretching Our Prayers Past Our Pain

Often our prayers begin and end with asking God to change the way things are around us.

  • “Provide enough money this month”
  • “Protect us as we travel”
  • “Heal my friend from pain”
  • —etc.

These are fine prayers, and all legitimate, but incomplete.

They just don’t go far enough. Continue Reading…

How to Walk in Victory Against Sin [Podcast]

Romans 6:1-14

Can we really walk in victory against sin in our lives? Romans 6 gives the liberating truths needed to begin the walk of victory. Many Christians are simply unaware that they are free!

Many Christians continue enslaved to sin– ignorant of the freedom available to them through Christ’s death and resurrection.

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What Good is Evil? [Podcast]

2 Peter 2:3-9; 3:3-13

The problem goes like this: “If God was all-powerful, He could get rid of evil. If God was all-loving, He would get rid of evil. So since we have evil in the world, God must either be apathetic or absent.”

The Apostle Peter—almost as if writing for this very topic—teaches us that the problem of evil in the world stems from the problem of evil within our own hearts. God allows evil so that we may choose good . . . and one day God will permanently remove all evil.

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Your Adversary, The Devil [Podcast]

1 Peter 5:8-14

The clear source of suffering is an enemy we can’t see and yet who’s on the prowl for those unprepared. So be prepared! Stand firm in your faith, knowing you’re not alone in the struggle, and the struggle is only a temporary state before an eternal glory.

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The Best Way to Suffer [Podcast]

1 Peter 4:12-19

Peter argues that suffering is part of God’s plan for every believer; the variable remains how we will suffer. The best way to suffer is to rejoice in the knowledge that trials are normal, but temporary, and rejoicing at what’s eternal will cause extraordinary rejoicing in eternity. The best way to suffer as a Christian is to suffer unjustly, entrusting yourself to God—for in so doing “for the name of Christ, you are blessed.”

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The Ever-Ready Message [Podcast]

1 Peter 3:13-22

If Christ is set apart as absolute Lord of our hearts, then we should be ready at any moment to give a reason for the hope of heaven. And once that reason is given, our good conscience and behavior—regardless of our suffering—should match the message we share. Christ exemplified this behavior of readiness amidst unjust suffering—even going so far as to proclaim, after His death, a message of victory to the damned.

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He Loves Me Not [Podcast]

1 Peter 3:1-6

Just as all believers are to submit to proper authority—even when it’s unjust—so that principle extends to the home. Peter offers practical advice to wives of unbelieving husbands, as to how excellent behavior can also be a tool through which God works on a husband’s heart.  Peter also gives comfort to the weary woman who struggles with a husband who doesn’t love her.

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