Wise people don't go through challenges with a sense of hopelessness but instead want to find out what God is accomplishing in their lives. Dr. Stanley says that wisdom asks four questions to help us reflect on the past, present, and future. Learn to let godly wisdom direct your actions and experience the peace that comes with living according to God's will.
Sermon Outline
Sometimes we go through things that are so difficult, painful, or upsetting that it’s hard to imagine God could bring something good out of them. But one of His tools for our growth is adversity—even when He doesn’t cause it. This week, Dr. Stanley talks about the hard times in our life and how to get through them God’s way.
Key Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-8
Supporting Passages: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Hebrews 13:5
Are you going through a trial you don’t understand? Often, the only thing we want in such situations is to escape. But God desires something different.
► “I can benefit from whatever difficulty I’m facing or I can blame God and miss the whole point.”
Difficult trials in life can …
Make us question God.
Make us bitter and resentful.
Or they can …
Teach us something important.
Make us thankful to God (1 Pet. 1:3-8).
We need wisdom to discern …
The source of the trial, whether it’s God, the Enemy, or our own mistakes.
The purpose of the trial: If God allows it, He has a purpose, and that purpose is good.
► “God intends that we profit from every hardship we experience.”
Trials have many purposes, such as …
1. Proving our faith (v. 7).
A trial reveals the true state of our faith. God allows pain and suffering to help us better understand our level of trust in Him.
2. Testing our devotion.
In hardship, we learn if we love God even when we are in pain or only when things are going our way.
3. Purifying our life.
Pain cuts to the center of our being and has a purifying quality as God works in our heart.
4. Revealing God’s strength.
He demonstrates His awesome power in our impossible situations. We learn what He can do in our life if we’re willing to listen.
5. Building Christlike character.
When we are persecuted, we grow closer to Jesus and become more like Him.
6. Equipping us for service (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
Once God carries us through our own sufferings, we in turn can help others in theirs.
► “If I believe that God has a purpose in allowing this trial, then I can walk through it with confidence and assurance.”
We need wisdom to discern the proper response to trials. When you are tested, repeat one or all of the following truths to yourself:
God is in control of the timing and intensity of this trial.
He has a specific purpose for allowing it.
He is meeting a specific need in my life.
This trial is an opportunity for me to persevere under pressure.
God is developing Christlike character in me.
The trial will help measure my spiritual growth.
God will walk with me continually (Heb. 13:5).
After Watching
Today, Dr. Stanley suggested that we ask ourselves an important question: Do I believe God loves me so deeply that He must be up to something good in my life? What’s your answer?
We’re not meant to carry heavy burdens. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The Lord wants to carry them for us. Read Matthew 11:28-30, and then take a moment to hand your worries over and rest in Jesus’ love.
