Faithful In The Storm
"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." - Forrest Gump
Whether it's an unexpected new baby, a flat tire, that dream job, or a global pandemic, we never know what tomorrow brings. Good or bad, it's all part of life. How we respond to the hard times is what matters the most. God is good all the time, even when we struggle to see it.
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. Revelation 2:8-11 NLT
In this letter to Smyrna, Jesus encouraged them to remain faithful even through trials. He knew how hard it would be. When we walk through the storms of life, sorrow threatens to drown us, but we have hope in the Lord.
Journal: What is something you are walking through at this very moment that is discouraging you?
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Respond: List the things that trials produce according to this Scripture.
Have you ever known someone that just seems to have it all? They sail through life without a care in the world. Everything comes easy to them; it just doesn't seem fair. But we know that isn't true. It's not even possible. Everyone will encounter trials at some point, but some have learned to rise above them. They have taken God's promise to heart and remained faithful to Him.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
It's a change in mindset that only comes from a relationship with the Lord. By drawing close to Him, we shift our thoughts. Instead of focusing on the negative, we can see the positive by looking through the lens of God's goodness.
Jesus says:
“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich!" Revelation 2:9 NLT
We are rich. Just ponder on that for a minute. Let it really sink in. Regardless of what we are going through and how hard it may feel, there is so much for which to be thankful. We may not have as much money as our friend, go on expensive vacations, or live in a big house. There's nothing wrong with those things, but it isn't what God considers true wealth. He has blessed each one of us in so many other ways. It's when we shift our mindset to that of Christ that we can appreciate all that God has done.
Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 NLT
Suffering will come and go and sometimes stay longer than we'd like. When we least expect it, hardships will come knocking on our door. The enemy will use everything he can to cause us to question God's promises and turn from Him. But suffering only lasts for a season. God promises He will see us through. If we remain faithful and weather the storms of life, God will bless us abundantly, so we must anchor our hope in Him.
Activation: Make a list of God's blessings and goodness in your life. Determine to focus on these things when you face difficult circumstances.
Prayer Prompt: Write a prayer of thanksgiving for God's blessings on your life and ask Him to help you focus on His goodness instead of the trials.
Whether it's an unexpected new baby, a flat tire, that dream job, or a global pandemic, we never know what tomorrow brings. Good or bad, it's all part of life. How we respond to the hard times is what matters the most. God is good all the time, even when we struggle to see it.
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. Revelation 2:8-11 NLT
In this letter to Smyrna, Jesus encouraged them to remain faithful even through trials. He knew how hard it would be. When we walk through the storms of life, sorrow threatens to drown us, but we have hope in the Lord.
Journal: What is something you are walking through at this very moment that is discouraging you?
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Respond: List the things that trials produce according to this Scripture.
Have you ever known someone that just seems to have it all? They sail through life without a care in the world. Everything comes easy to them; it just doesn't seem fair. But we know that isn't true. It's not even possible. Everyone will encounter trials at some point, but some have learned to rise above them. They have taken God's promise to heart and remained faithful to Him.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
It's a change in mindset that only comes from a relationship with the Lord. By drawing close to Him, we shift our thoughts. Instead of focusing on the negative, we can see the positive by looking through the lens of God's goodness.
Jesus says:
“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich!" Revelation 2:9 NLT
We are rich. Just ponder on that for a minute. Let it really sink in. Regardless of what we are going through and how hard it may feel, there is so much for which to be thankful. We may not have as much money as our friend, go on expensive vacations, or live in a big house. There's nothing wrong with those things, but it isn't what God considers true wealth. He has blessed each one of us in so many other ways. It's when we shift our mindset to that of Christ that we can appreciate all that God has done.
Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 NLT
Suffering will come and go and sometimes stay longer than we'd like. When we least expect it, hardships will come knocking on our door. The enemy will use everything he can to cause us to question God's promises and turn from Him. But suffering only lasts for a season. God promises He will see us through. If we remain faithful and weather the storms of life, God will bless us abundantly, so we must anchor our hope in Him.
Activation: Make a list of God's blessings and goodness in your life. Determine to focus on these things when you face difficult circumstances.
Prayer Prompt: Write a prayer of thanksgiving for God's blessings on your life and ask Him to help you focus on His goodness instead of the trials.
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