Finding Strength in the Spirit Amidst Struggles
Summary
Today, we explored the profound reality that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not natural responses to life’s circumstances, but supernatural works of the Holy Spirit that are available to us even in the midst of our greatest struggles. Life often doesn’t turn out the way we dream, hope, plan, or pray, and it’s easy to feel disoriented or paralyzed by disappointment or pain. Yet, Jesus assured us that while we will face trouble in this world, we can take heart because He has overcome it. The presence of God is not reserved for the other side of our battles; it is available right in the middle of them, offering us a joy and peace that defy understanding.
Our own journey has taught us that God’s promises do not have expiration dates. Even when we walk through seasons of loss, uncertainty, or heartbreak, God is faithful to meet us there. He doesn’t always remove us from the wilderness or the wasteland, but He promises to make a pathway through it and to create rivers in the dry places. In those moments of deepest need, we discover new facets of who Jesus is—our provider, our healer, our rescuer. The comfort and joy He gives are not dependent on our circumstances, but on His nearness and His Spirit at work within us.
Practically, when we find ourselves in the fight of our lives, we are invited to respond not with worry, but with prayer, gratitude, and worship. God inhabits the praises of His people, and where His Spirit is, there is freedom. Fear may still be present, but faith is not the absence of fear; it is the choice to trust God in the face of it. We are called to believe that God can, to pray that He will, and to trust Him regardless of the outcome. Ultimately, the invitation is to live—fully, boldly, and courageously—knowing that God is with us, empowering us to stand strong and to point others to Him, no matter what we face.
Key Takeaways
- The fruit of the Spirit is a supernatural response, not a natural one. Love, joy, and peace are not simply emotions that come and go with our circumstances, but are the result of abiding in God’s presence. Even in the midst of chaos or pain, the Holy Spirit produces these qualities in us, enabling us to walk through trials with a joy that doesn’t make sense to the world. [31:55]
- God’s promises do not expire, even when life doesn’t go as planned. When we encounter seasons of disappointment or loss, it’s easy to believe that God’s plans for us are over. Yet, Scripture reminds us that God is always doing something new, making a way through the wilderness and providing rivers in the wasteland. Our current struggle can be the very place where God begins a new work in us. [41:40]
- We discover the character of Jesus most deeply at our point of greatest need. It is in the moments when we need saving, healing, or provision that we come to know Jesus as Savior, Healer, and Provider. These experiences are not just theological truths, but lived realities that shape our faith and deepen our relationship with Him. [43:35]
- Faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to trust God in the face of it. Many of us have believed that if we have enough faith, we won’t feel afraid. But true faith is demonstrated when we choose to trust God even while fear is present, allowing His strength to carry us through uncertainty and challenge. [53:48]
- Living a life of faith means believing God can, praying that He will, and trusting Him regardless of the outcome. This posture frees us from the need to control every result and invites us to place our lives fully in God’s hands. When we see our obstacles as opportunities for God to work, we are empowered to live boldly, courageously, and with purpose, no matter what we face. [01:01:41]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[29:48] - Introduction to Love and Joy
[31:55] - Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in Hardship
[35:38] - A Story of Joy in the Midst of Loss
[37:13] - New Beginnings and God’s Faithfulness
[39:40] - Booth 18: A Place of New Beginnings
[41:40] - God’s Pathways Through the Wilderness
[43:35] - Discovering Jesus at Your Deepest Need
[47:23] - The Presence of God in Difficult Moments
[51:38] - Practical Steps: Prayer, Worship, and Peace
[53:48] - Faith and Fear: Trusting God in Uncertainty
[57:37] - Trusting God Regardless of the Outcome
[01:01:41] - Living Boldly and Seeing Obstacles as Opportunities
[01:02:37] - Encouragement to Live Courageously
[01:03:25] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[01:04:15] - Prayer and Closing Celebration
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living the Fruit of the Spirit in the Middle of the Struggle
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### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
- Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
- Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5, what is the source of the fruit of the Spirit? Is it something we produce on our own, or is it a result of something else? ([29:48])
2. In Isaiah 43, what does God promise to do for His people in the wilderness and wasteland? ([41:40])
3. The sermon mentioned that God’s presence is available “in the middle” of our struggles, not just after they’re over. What evidence or examples were given to support this? ([31:55])
4. What does Psalm 34:18 say about God’s nearness to those who are hurting? ([43:35])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The fruit of the Spirit is described as a supernatural response, not a natural one. Why is it important to recognize this difference when facing difficult circumstances? ([31:55])
2. Isaiah 43 talks about God making a way in the wilderness. How might this change someone’s perspective when they feel stuck or lost in a hard season? ([41:40])
3. The sermon said, “Faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to trust God in the face of it.” How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to have faith? ([53:48])
4. The speakers shared that they discovered new aspects of who Jesus is (Provider, Healer, Rescuer) during their hardest times. Why do you think these parts of Jesus’ character become more real in seasons of need? ([43:35])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a current struggle or disappointment in your life. What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to produce love, joy, or peace in you right now, rather than waiting for things to get better? ([31:55])
2. The sermon encouraged responding to worry with prayer, gratitude, and worship. What is one practical step you can take this week to replace worry with one of these responses? ([51:38])
3. Is there a “wilderness” or “wasteland” area in your life where you need to trust that God is making a way, even if you can’t see it yet? What would it look like to believe God’s promises don’t have expiration dates? ([41:40])
4. The speakers talked about experiencing God’s presence through worship, even when they didn’t feel like it. What is one way you can intentionally create space for worship in your daily routine, especially during hard times? ([51:38])
5. The idea that “faith is not the absence of fear” was highlighted. Can you share a time when you had to trust God even though you were afraid? What helped you take that step? ([53:48])
6. The message challenged us to “live—fully, boldly, and courageously.” What is one area of your life where you feel called to live more boldly for God, even if it feels risky? ([01:01:41])
7. The speakers said, “We discover the character of Jesus most deeply at our point of greatest need.” Is there a need in your life right now where you want to ask Jesus to show Himself as Provider, Healer, or Rescuer? How can the group pray for you in this? ([43:35])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person experience the fruit of the Spirit and His nearness, no matter what they are facing.
Devotional
Day 1: The Fruit of the Spirit Is Supernatural, Not Situational
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not natural emotional responses to life’s circumstances, but supernatural works of the Holy Spirit that are produced as you spend time in God’s presence. Even in the midst of chaos, pain, or disappointment, you can experience these fruits not because your situation is easy, but because God is with you and working in you. The world may tell you to “just be happy,” but true joy and love are not dependent on what’s happening around you; they are gifts from God that can flourish even in the fight of your life. [29:48]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you waiting for your circumstances to change before you expect to experience love or joy? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to produce these fruits in you right where you are today?
Day 2: God Brings New Beginnings Even in the Wilderness
No matter what you are facing, God promises to do something new in your life—even when you feel lost or stuck in a wilderness. He doesn’t always remove you from difficult places immediately, but He creates pathways and rivers right in the middle of your dry and weary seasons. Your current seat, your present moment, can be a place of new beginnings where you encounter God’s presence and experience joy that doesn’t make sense to the world. God is not just the God of deliverance, but also the God who walks with you through every trial, making a way where there seems to be no way. [41:40]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels like a wilderness or wasteland? Ask God to show you the new thing He is doing and to help you see the pathway He is making for you today.
Day 3: God Is Close to the Brokenhearted and Heals the Wounded
When you are at your lowest, God draws near to you. He is not distant from your pain; He is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed. God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, offering comfort and restoration that goes beyond what anyone else can provide. Even when you feel like giving up, His presence can fill you with unspeakable joy and peace, enabling you to walk through hardship with a grace that others notice and wonder about. [43:35]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 147:3 (ESV)
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Reflection: When have you felt crushed or brokenhearted? How can you invite God’s healing presence into those places today, trusting Him to bind up your wounds?
Day 4: Faith Is Trusting God in the Face of Fear
Faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to trust God even when you are afraid. You may have learned to believe that big faith means you never feel fear, but true faith is choosing to trust God in the midst of your fears and uncertainties. The enemy uses fear to paralyze, but God calls you to move forward, believing that He can, praying that He will, and trusting Him regardless of the outcome. Courage is not about never feeling afraid; it’s about taking the next step with God anyway. [51:38]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What fear is holding you back right now? What would it look like to take one step of faith today, trusting God even as you feel afraid?
Day 5: Live Boldly and Courageously for God
God’s desire is for you to truly live—not just survive, but to live boldly, courageously, and with purpose. The enemy wants to keep you paralyzed, but God calls you to live your life to the fullest: to worship, to encourage, to make a difference, and to point others to Him. Strength and courage are found in God’s presence, and when you see your obstacles as opportunities, you open the door for miracles, breakthrough, and answered prayer. No matter what you face, God is with you, and He will keep you standing strong. [01:02:37]
Ephesians 6:10, 13 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might... Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Reflection: What is one bold or courageous step you can take today to live fully for God, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?
Quotes
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