Finding God in Our Wilderness: Stories of Hope
Summary
Today, we paused our regular series to listen to the powerful stories of three members of our community, each wrestling with deep questions in their own wilderness seasons. These testimonies remind us that God is present and at work, even when we feel unqualified, broken, or overwhelmed by chaos. Greg shared about his journey with feelings of inadequacy, especially when called into ministry without the traditional credentials. Despite his doubts and the temptation to measure his worth by worldly standards, he discovered that God delights in using those who feel weak or unqualified, so that His strength and glory are revealed. Greg’s story is a testament to how God uproots our self-reliance and invites us to trust in His sufficiency.
Kumi’s story centered on the question of whether her walk with God was authentic, even as she continued to feel broken. Growing up in a Christian home, she encountered both faith and confusion, especially as she navigated denominational differences and personal suffering. Chronic illness, mental health struggles, and shame marked her journey, yet she found that God’s presence was most real in the midst of her pain, not in its absence. Through the love and honesty of friends and mentors, she learned that brokenness is not a sign of inauthentic faith, but rather a shared human experience that God enters into with us. Her story is a reminder that God’s goodness and mercy pursue us, even when our circumstances remain messy.
Lucy’s testimony was one of desperation and surrender in the face of overwhelming chaos. As a mother of a daughter with severe behavioral and mental health challenges, Lucy fought tirelessly for her child, advocating, praying, and seeking every possible avenue for healing. Yet, it was in the place of utter surrender—placing her daughter on the altar before God—that she experienced a profound transformation. Though her circumstances did not immediately change, Lucy found peace, joy, and the strength to persevere. Her story reveals that God’s glory is not found in suffering itself, but in the way He meets us, sustains us, and brings redemption as we surrender everything to Him.
Each story invites us to see our own questions and struggles as places where God can meet us, transform us, and use us for His purposes. No matter how unqualified, broken, or desperate we feel, God’s presence is enough.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Power Is Made Perfect in Our Weakness
When we feel unqualified or inadequate, it is often the very place where God chooses to work most powerfully. Our lack of credentials or worldly qualifications does not disqualify us from being used by God; in fact, it positions us to rely on His strength rather than our own. This humility allows God’s glory to shine through our lives, making it clear that the credit belongs to Him alone. [09:22]
- Authentic Faith Exists Amid Brokenness
The presence of ongoing struggles, doubts, or emotional pain does not mean our faith is inauthentic. True faith is not the absence of brokenness, but the willingness to walk with God through it. God meets us in our confusion and pain, and it is often in these places that we experience His love and presence most deeply. [18:32]
- Surrender Is the Pathway to Peace and Joy
When we reach the end of our own strength and surrender our deepest desires and fears to God, we open ourselves to His transforming work. Surrender is not giving up hope, but entrusting our hopes to the One who is able to redeem all things. In surrender, we find a peace and joy that is not dependent on our circumstances, but rooted in God’s unchanging love. [31:32]
- God Redeems Our Stories for His Glory
Even the most chaotic, painful, or confusing chapters of our lives are not wasted in God’s hands. He enters into our suffering, walks with us through the darkest valleys, and brings redemption in ways we may not expect. Our stories, when surrendered to Him, become testimonies of His faithfulness and grace, offering hope to others who are struggling. [33:25]
- Community Is Essential in the Wilderness
God often ministers to us through the presence and encouragement of others. Friends, mentors, and fellow believers can see God’s work in us when we cannot, and their support helps break the power of shame and isolation. In sharing our stories and walking together, we remind one another that we are not alone, and that God is with us in every season. [08:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to “This Is My Story” Series
[01:08] - Greg Brewer: Wrestling with Inadequacy
[03:35] - Called to Ministry Without Credentials
[04:51] - Struggling with Failure and Doubt
[06:14] - God’s Surprising Opportunities
[08:07] - The Power of Honest Friendship
[09:22] - Learning to Trust God’s Ability
[10:36] - Reminding Others of Their Worth in Christ
[11:21] - Invitation to Prayer
[12:02] - Kumi Nabiju: Is My Faith Authentic in Brokenness?
[14:37] - Wrestling with Illness and Shame
[17:12] - Finding Home and Healing in Community
[18:32] - Jesus’ Presence in the Midst of Pain
[19:51] - Faith in the Midst of Unchanged Circumstances
[21:08] - Hope for the Messy Journey
[21:55] - Invitation to In-Person Services
[22:35] - Lucy Leone: How Can Chaos Bring God Glory?
[25:11] - Navigating Behavioral Challenges
[27:09] - Desperation and Earnest Prayer
[30:55] - Surrendering Abby to God
[32:08] - Becoming an Overcomer
[33:25] - God’s Glory in Our Suffering
[34:03] - Abby’s Testimony of Transformation
[34:40] - Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “This Is My Story”
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### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV)
> For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Psalm 23:1-4 (ESV)
> The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
> But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, what kinds of people does Paul say God chooses, and for what purpose?
2. According to Greg’s story, what were some of the ways he felt unqualified for ministry? ([04:13])
3. In Psalm 23, what does the shepherd do for the sheep, especially in the “valley of the shadow of death”?
4. How did Lucy describe her experience of surrendering her daughter to God, and what changed for her after that? ([31:32])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might God choose to use people who feel weak, unqualified, or broken, rather than those who seem strong by the world’s standards? ([09:22])
2. Kumi shared about feeling broken even after coming to faith. What does her story suggest about the relationship between faith and ongoing struggles? ([18:32])
3. How does the idea of surrendering our deepest fears and desires to God lead to peace and joy, even if our circumstances don’t change? ([31:32])
4. What role does community play in helping us see God’s work in our lives, especially when we feel isolated or ashamed? ([08:07])
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### Application Questions
1. Greg talked about feeling like an “impostor” and doubting his qualifications. Have you ever felt unqualified or not good enough for something God was calling you to do? What did you do in that situation? ([06:53])
2. Kumi’s story showed that faith can be real even when life feels messy or broken. Are there areas in your life where you feel like your struggles make your faith less “authentic”? How might God be present with you in those places? ([18:32])
3. Lucy found peace and joy after surrendering her daughter to God, even though her circumstances didn’t change right away. Is there something in your life that you are holding onto tightly? What would it look like to surrender it to God? ([31:32])
4. The testimonies all highlighted the importance of honest friendships and community. Who in your life helps remind you of God’s truth when you can’t see it yourself? How can you be that kind of friend to someone else this week? ([08:07])
5. Each story showed that God can use our pain and chaos for His glory. Can you think of a time when God brought something good out of a difficult or confusing season in your life? How did that experience shape your faith? ([33:25])
6. The stories mentioned shame and isolation as barriers to experiencing God’s love. What are some practical ways you can break the power of shame in your own life or help someone else do the same? ([18:32])
7. After hearing these stories, what is one step you feel prompted to take in trusting God with your weaknesses or struggles this week? ([09:22])
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