Choosing Faith and Gratitude in Uncertain Times
Summary
In this message, I reflect on the challenges and uncertainties of the year 2020, particularly in light of the ongoing presidential election and the global pandemic. I begin by honoring our veterans, acknowledging their sacrifices and the freedoms they have secured for us. This year has been a test of character, commitment, and patience, as we navigate through unprecedented times. I draw attention to the negative emotions many are experiencing, such as disappointment and discouragement, and emphasize the importance of choosing faith over fear.
I offer seven principles from God's Word to help us through these difficult times. First, always choose faith over fear, trusting in God's command to not be afraid. Second, trust that God is in control, even when life seems chaotic. History is His story, and He has a bigger perspective. Third, be patient, as this is not the end of the story. God's plans unfold in His perfect timing. Fourth, don't jump to conclusions, especially in times of uncertainty and accusations. Seek the truth and be discerning.
Fifth, look for lessons to learn from every situation, even the disappointing ones. God wants us to grow through our experiences. Sixth, be empathetic with others, understanding that everyone is facing their own struggles. Listen more than you speak, and be considerate of others' fears and doubts. Finally, look for things to be grateful for, even in a challenging year. Gratitude shifts our focus from what is wrong to what is right and good.
As we navigate these times, I encourage you to keep your eyes on the eternal, remembering that our true citizenship is in heaven. Let us be a witness of love and hope to those around us, trusting in God's sovereignty and His good plan for our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Choose Faith Over Fear: In times of uncertainty, always choose faith over fear. Fear never helps, and worry solves nothing. Trust in God's repeated command to not be afraid, as He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. [06:14]
2. Trust God's Control: Even when life seems chaotic, trust that God is in control. History is His story, and He has a bigger perspective. Our choices are limited, but God's sovereignty is meant to comfort us. [09:45]
3. Be Patient: This is not the end of the story. God's plans unfold in His perfect timing, and we must trust His timetable. Be patient and remember that God's promises will not be overdue. [12:20]
4. Don't Jump to Conclusions: In times of uncertainty, avoid jumping to conclusions. Accusations are not facts, and rhetoric is not proof. Seek the truth and be discerning, holding on to good sense. [19:47]
5. Look for Gratitude: Even in challenging times, look for things to be grateful for. Gratitude shifts our focus from what is wrong to what is right and good. Remember that our true citizenship is in heaven. [29:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Honoring Veterans
- [01:30] - Prayer for Veterans
- [02:27] - Reflections on 2020
- [03:08] - Negative Emotions
- [05:02] - Disappointments in Life
- [06:14] - Choose Faith Over Fear
- [09:45] - Trust God's Control
- [12:20] - Be Patient
- [19:47] - Don't Jump to Conclusions
- [23:11] - Look for Lessons
- [27:10] - Be Empathetic
- [29:28] - Look for Gratitude
- [32:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
2. Psalm 75:6-7 - "For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only come from God. He promotes one and deposes another."
3. Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the most repeated command in the Bible, and how many times is it mentioned? [07:11]
2. What does Pastor Rick say about the role of veterans in securing freedoms, and how does he express gratitude towards them? [00:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the current state of emotions people are experiencing, and what commonality do these emotions share? [03:08]
4. What historical examples does Pastor Rick provide to illustrate that delayed election results are not uncommon? [08:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that choosing faith over fear can impact one's response to life's uncertainties? [06:14]
2. In what ways does trusting in God's control provide comfort during chaotic times, according to the sermon? [09:45]
3. What lessons does the sermon encourage us to learn from disappointments, and how can these lessons contribute to personal growth? [23:11]
4. How does the sermon propose that gratitude can shift our focus during challenging times? [29:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt fear. How might choosing faith over fear have changed your response? [06:14]
2. Think about a time when life felt chaotic. How did trusting (or not trusting) in God's control affect your peace of mind? [09:45]
3. Identify a disappointment you have faced this year. What lessons can you learn from it, and how can you apply these lessons moving forward? [23:11]
4. Consider someone in your life who is struggling. How can you practice empathy by listening more and speaking less in your interactions with them? [27:10]
5. What are three things you can be grateful for today, even amidst challenges? How can focusing on these things change your perspective? [29:28]
6. How can you remind yourself of your eternal citizenship in heaven during times of national or personal turmoil? [31:49]
7. Reflect on your current media consumption. How might reducing time spent on political news and increasing time in God's Word impact your spiritual well-being? [18:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Faith Amidst Uncertainty
In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to choose faith over fear. Fear can paralyze and prevent us from seeing the bigger picture, while faith empowers us to trust in God's promises and His presence in our lives. By choosing faith, we align ourselves with God's command to not be afraid, recognizing that He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. This choice is not always easy, especially when faced with challenges and disappointments, but it is essential for spiritual growth and peace. [06:14]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific fears are you facing today, and how can you actively choose faith over fear in these situations?
Day 2: Trust in God's Sovereignty
Even when life seems chaotic and out of control, we are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty. History is His story, and He has a perspective that is far greater than ours. While our choices may seem limited, God's sovereignty is meant to comfort us, knowing that He is in control of all things. This trust requires us to surrender our need for control and to rest in the assurance that God is working all things for His purposes. [09:45]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's control, and how can you begin to surrender these areas to Him today?
Day 3: Patience in God's Timing
Patience is a virtue that is often tested in times of waiting and uncertainty. We are reminded that this is not the end of the story and that God's plans unfold in His perfect timing. Trusting in God's timetable requires us to be patient and to remember that His promises will not be overdue. This patience is not passive but active, as we continue to seek God's will and remain faithful in our daily walk with Him. [12:20]
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate patience in your current season of waiting, and what practical steps can you take to trust in God's timing?
Day 4: Seek Truth and Discernment
In times of uncertainty, it is easy to jump to conclusions and make assumptions based on incomplete information. We are encouraged to seek the truth and to be discerning, recognizing that accusations are not facts and rhetoric is not proof. This discernment requires us to hold on to good sense and to seek God's wisdom in all situations. By doing so, we can navigate through uncertainty with clarity and confidence. [19:47]
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to seek truth and discernment in a current situation where you feel uncertain or confused?
Day 5: Cultivate Gratitude
Even in challenging times, there are always things to be grateful for. Gratitude shifts our focus from what is wrong to what is right and good, reminding us of God's blessings and faithfulness. By cultivating gratitude, we can find joy and contentment in the midst of difficulties, recognizing that our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective allows us to be a witness of love and hope to those around us. [29:28]
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: What are three specific things you can be grateful for today, and how can you express this gratitude in your daily life?
Quotes
"Always choose faith over fear. Always choose faith over fear when things don't work out the way you wanted, when your plan is not God's plan, when you don't understand what's going on. Always choose faith over fear. You don't panic, you pray. You don't worry, you worship. You turn your thoughts to the greatness of God." [00:06:19]
"God's commandment to not be afraid is the most repeated command in the Bible. Did you know that God's command to not be afraid, to not be fearful, to not be anxious, to not worry is the most repeated command in the Bible? There are 365 'fear nots' in the Bible. That's one for every day of the year." [00:07:11]
"Always trust that God is in control. Always trust that God is in control. It may look like chaos from a human viewpoint, but God has a bigger perspective. History is His story, and instead of being afraid of what people might do in the days or weeks ahead, the Bible says we should have a holy fear of God." [00:09:43]
"Be patient because it's not the end of the story. You know, part of our problem is that we look at things in a short-term perspective. We don't see things from an eternal perspective. We're so short-sighted and we're so impatient, and we think that the most important thing that's ever happened in the entire history of the world is happening right now." [00:12:23]
"God says the things that I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. But He says if it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient. They will not be overdue a single day." [00:14:14]
"Don't jump to conclusions. When you are going through a time that God's plan is not your plan, and you're disappointed or you're discouraged or you're down in the mouth or you're depressed because things aren't going the way you wanted them to go, when you start to feel discouraged and disappointed, don't jump to conclusions." [00:19:47]
"Look for lessons to learn. Never, never waste a disappointing situation. When your plan wasn't God's plan, when things didn't go the way you want them to go, learn from it. You know, God wants us to learn from everything. God wants us to learn from our fears, our failures, our frustrations. God even wants us to learn from our sins." [00:23:11]
"Be empathetic with everybody. That's the sixth step. When you're going through a tough time, that you're disappointed, you're discouraged, you're defeated, you're depressed, be empathetic with everybody because everybody's having a tough time. You know what empathy means? Empathy means you use your ears more than your mouth." [00:27:10]
"Look for things to be grateful for. Look for things to be grateful for. What is there to be grateful for in 2020? First Thessalonians 5:18 says this: Do you want to know God's will? I want to do God's will. Okay, First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us God's will: Give thanks in all circumstances." [00:29:28]
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. You say, Rick, what in the world can I be grateful for at the end of this really kind of bad year? Well, let me just think. How about this: Be grateful the fact that you live in a country that transfers power through ballots, not bullets." [00:30:32]
"Be grateful for the grace of God in your life, all the grace that God's shown you. Be grateful for the good plan that God has for your life. Be grateful for the changes God is making in your life. Be grateful that Jesus Christ died for you. Be grateful that He is a home for you in heaven." [00:31:18]
"Remember, our real citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our real citizenship in heaven. You know, I think every Christian should carry a green card because ultimately your primary loyalty and primary citizenship is not in whatever country you live or you're a citizen. It's in heaven." [00:32:23]
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