Date:
October 25-26, 2021Gumption
Facing a massive project ahead? Having a hard time getting started on it or sticking with it? Chuck Swindoll gives some advice to help you keep plugging away at it.
Resource Library
Browse
Tough Stuff
A crisis is any event that leads, or is expected to lead to, an unstable and dangerous situation, which affects an individual, family, group, community or society as a whole. Crises are deemed to be negative changes in life especially when they occur abruptly. Since a crisis is a testing time or an emergency event, we may panic, become stressed, or struggle to cope as a result.
Regardless of the reason for the crisis God is always in control. He cares about what we are going through (1 Peter 5:7) and He never forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). God provides grace for our times of need if we humbly look to Him (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13). That grace can manifest itself in whatever we need: peace (Isaiah 26:3), comfort (Psalm 23:4), stability, protection, or guidance (Psalm 31:3). He will strengthen and uphold us (Isaiah 41:10). God also assures us that He can work in and through the crisis for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
Denial, Distress, Deception, Desertion
While Jesus may have been the Son of God, He still possessed a fully human nature. We see this humanity on full display in Matthew 26:31–56 as Jesus prepared Himself for His fate.
Life Isn't Fair
Suffering has a way of simplifying life. It stretches our faith and pulls us back to the basics of prayer and dependence on God.
A Good Thanksgiving
When troubling circumstances disturb you remember God is using them to refine and shape you into the image of His Son.
Impossible Tasks
When we face “impossible tasks” we can choose to give up or become inspired by the challenge.
Impatience
Waiting for God isn’t easy. It’s because His timing is different than ours. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “God has made everything beautiful in its time.” This means we must wait for God. He will make everything beautiful in its time.
Battle of the Will
Painful or pressing conditions quickly reveal our internal battles. These struggles are not usually between what is good or bad, right or wrong, but between our desires and God’s will.
Tragedy Breeds Calamity
God doesn’t leave us in the tough times. Even when we question His goodness, He stays near. Psalm 46 says God is our refuge and strength—a very present help in trouble. Whatever you’re going through, God is there and He’s in control.
Second-Guessing Self-Pity
When times are tough it’s easy to get lost in self-pity. But instead of dwelling on your problems, think about others. When you choose to help others even though you’re struggling you are choosing to rise above your situation. You’re choosing victory instead of defeat.
When Catastrophe Strikes
In the midst of catastrophe your priorities change. You find the things once important to you are now insignificant. And you become more sensitive to God—you learn to trust Him like never before.
