Going Deeper With the Word – See Through the Shadows

Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God. 

We just talked about navigating through difficult times. Now, I want us to explore what Scripture says about this together.

Let’s review examples from God’s Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today’s message. I will read scripture today from the Amplified Bible.

Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;

Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:7

I’ve selected this scripture because I think it points out a situation we may find ourselves in when dealing with a difficult circumstance.

We might find ourselves in difficulty because of the actions of someone else. In fact, we might find ourselves in a situation where someone else is doing evil, and those actions are resulting in consequences that harm us or others we love.

As we talked about today, it can be difficult, even after we have given it over to God and decided to trust Him, when we continue to see someone performing harmful behavior. It can lead us to feel a certain way when it seems like the person doing wrong is getting away with wrongdoing or, even worse, appears to benefit from the wrongdoing.

It is in these times, as the scripture points out, that we must be patient. God sees exactly what we see and infinitely more than we see, so we have to give it to Him and trust Him to handle the situation in a way that He knows is best.

Have you been in a situation where you’re being taken advantage of by someone and they seem to be benefiting from the behavior, even after you’ve asked God for help? What were the circumstances? What was the eventual outcome for the parties involved and how did patience play a role? “Let us know in the comments”

Let’s have a look at another place in the Bible that speaks to the idea that all we can lean on God in the midst of struggle

And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].

Romans 5:3-4

In this verse, the Apostle Paul explains that there is actually a benefit that comes from waiting on God. When we go through the motions of learning how to wait on God, we do, in fact, gain strength in our faith and confidence in Him.

Yes, it can be difficult at first, but over time we can learn how to endure challenges as we wait to know God’s answer of Yes, No, or Not now. 

An additional benefit of this is that we’re learning how to show others what it looks like to have a walk of faith.

When we navigate difficult circumstances with patience and endurance, it reveals to others the strength that comes through faith. And yes, as the Apostle Paul points out, actual maturity in our spiritual walk.

Can you recall a season in your life where you gave something difficult to God, trusted Him, and the wait for His response took longer than you expected? How did this experience shape you and your faith? “Let us know in the comments”

Let’s look at one last passage.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24

In this verse, Jesus reminds us that whatever we ask in prayer, we can trust that we have received it. We can know that if it is God’s will, we will receive what we have asked for in prayer.

There have definitely been times in my life where I have asked for things, knowing the scripture but not knowing if what I asked for was according to God’s will or not. I can tell you that when I have placed a petition before the Lord asking for help to navigate a difficult situation, I have witnessed miracles performed where I thought a favorable resolution was impossible.

These experiences have taught me that God delights in restoring broken relationships; He delights in helping us to break free of chains that we may have even placed on ourselves, and He delights in answering all petitions.

Have you ever experienced a circumstance in your life where you brought a broken relationship to God and asked Him to help you and for restoration? Consider a situation where you had concluded that restoration was impossible, but God did restore the relationship.  Why did you feel restoration was impossible? What ultimately happened once God was involved? “Let us know in the comments”

Thanks for your time today as we continue our series, “Living in the Light.” I hope today’s message has provided you with concrete steps to take when you are facing challenges and difficulties in life. Rest assured that God knows your situation down to every last detail, even more than you do. He can help us in these times if we simply decide to place our trust in Him.. 

Have an amazing week, and we will catch you next time.

Bless you.