Growing Through Difficulties

An essential part of living the victorious Christian life.

Every one of us will walk through difficult situations during our lives. Learning to trust God is a lifelong process and essential to living a victorious Christian life. It is during times like these that we need the wisdom gained through others’ life experiences to help guide us - truths learned through meditating on God’s Word and allowing His truth to be lived out through them. This is what reminds us of God's love and faithfulness to those who believe in Him. 

We have to learn how to receive all God has for us and how to use “what Satan meant for evil” as the very thing that God will use for our good and His glory.  God never wastes one moment of our pain or our sorrows.

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Tools & Challenges for Growth

1. Scripture Memory:

   1. One of the best ways to grow spiritually is simply by memorizing scripture and praying it back to God. Bury His Word in your heart:

   2. Use the wallpaper below to put on your phone (press + hold your finger on the pic).

   3. Print it to use as a bookmark.

   4. Write it down in your journal or on index cards.

   5. Pray it out loud each day throughout the month.

   6. Challenge yourself to recite it without peeking.

2. Quiet Time:

   Make it your goal to have quiet time 5 times per week.

3. Suggested Book:

   Trusting God - Jerry Bridges
   Other Book Choices:

   Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense - Paul David Tripp

   Walking with God through Pain and Suffering - Tim Keller

   You'll Get Through This - Max Lucado

   The J-Curve - Paul Miller

   No More Faking Fine - Esther Fleece

   Total Forgiveness - R.T. Kendall

   As you read or when you’re finished with the book, write a summary of the key insights God gave you and any applications to your life. Think through the following questions:

   1. In what ways did God encourage or challenge me through this book?

   2. Are there any new truths I need to apply to my life?

4. Personal Challenge:

   10-Day Devotion: Choosing to Trust over Taking Control - Download here.

5. Marriage Focus (if applicable):

   Omit The Word “You” - Download here.

6. Growth Partner Challenge:

   Think about one particular challenging situation that you currently need to trust in God’s sovereignty and love. Discuss and pray about this with your growth partner.

7. Other Resources:

   Sermon - Trusting God When Life Hurts (Jerry Bridges)

   Hold On To Hope

   With God We Are Capable of Feeling Peace