God Sees You: Persistence Through Trials and Rejection

God is bringing you through. No matter what you’re facing—trials, tribulations, or the weight of feeling overlooked—God is at work in your life, moving you through every season. The story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 reminds us that even when we feel ignored, rejected, or like outsiders, Jesus sees us. This woman, though dismissed by society and even initially by Jesus, persisted in faith for the sake of her child. Her story is a powerful reminder that our struggles are not just our own; they ripple through our families, communities, and generations.

We all know what it’s like to feel less than human, to be treated as if we don’t belong, or to be overlooked. Sometimes, we hide our struggles, pretending to be superhuman, but the truth is everyone is carrying something. The church, as the body of Christ, should be a place where people can come and be seen, valued, and helped. If we know what it’s like to be overlooked, we must not overlook others. Jesus is the only one who can truly bring us through these feelings and situations—no substitute will do.

Hopelessness can creep in when it seems like God is silent or when our prayers go unanswered. But like the Canaanite woman, we are called to persist, to keep seeking, worshiping, and trusting. Sometimes, the breakthrough isn’t even for us, but for those connected to us—our children, our families, our communities. Our faith and persistence can change the trajectory for others.

Helplessness is real, but it’s not the end of the story. God’s timing is perfect, and sometimes we just need to keep pressing, keep believing, and keep moving forward. It’s not about what others call us or how they label us; it’s about what we answer to and who we are in Christ. Our identity is secure in Him, and our legacy is shaped by our faithfulness, not by the opinions of others.

No matter how you feel—humanless, hopeless, or helpless—God cares for you. He is bringing you through, and your feelings do not define your future. Surrender those feelings to Him, trust His process, and remember: eventually, He will make everything all right.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God Sees the Overlooked and the Outcast The Canaanite woman’s story shows that even when society deems us unworthy or invisible, Jesus notices and values us. Our feelings of being “less than” are real, but they are not the truth of our identity. We are called to extend that same recognition and compassion to others, refusing to perpetuate cycles of exclusion or indifference. When we remember how it feels to be overlooked, we become more attentive to the needs of those around us. [15:54]
• 2. Persistence in Faith Changes Outcomes The woman’s refusal to give up, even when Jesus seemed to ignore her, is a lesson in spiritual tenacity. Sometimes, God’s silence is not His absence; it’s an invitation to press in deeper, to worship more fervently, and to trust more fully. Our persistence is not just for ourselves but can unlock blessings for those we love and intercede for. Faith that endures through rejection and delay is the kind that moves the heart of God. [23:48]
• 3. Your Struggle is Not Just About You The Canaanite woman’s plea was for her daughter, reminding us that our battles often have generational and communal impact. The legacy we leave is shaped by how we respond to adversity—not just for ourselves, but for those connected to us. Sometimes, God brings us through so that others can see His faithfulness and find hope for their own situations. Our breakthroughs can become the testimonies that inspire and sustain others. [34:27]
• 4. Identity is Rooted in Christ, Not in Labels The woman did not let being called a “dog” define her; she was focused on the blessing and the breakthrough. What others call us is less important than what we answer to and who we are in Christ. Our worth is not determined by societal categories or the opinions of others, but by our relationship with Jesus. When we rest in our identity in Him, we are free from the need for validation from the world. [29:00]
• 5. Feelings Are Real, But They Don’t Dictate God’s Faithfulness Feelings of being humanless, hopeless, or helpless are powerful, but they are not the final word. God cares deeply about how we feel, but He calls us to surrender those feelings and trust His process. Even when emotions threaten to overwhelm us, God is working behind the scenes, bringing us through to a place of healing and restoration. Our faith must speak louder than our feelings, anchoring us in the truth of God’s love and purpose. [39:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:09] - Introduction: God Is Bringing Me Through
• [06:42] - Trials, Tribulations, and Community Impact
• [12:21] - Jesus: The Only Solution
• [14:33] - The Canaanite Woman’s Struggle
• [15:54] - Feeling Overlooked and Humanless
• [17:38] - How We Treat the “Other”
• [19:11] - Everyone Has Issues
• [20:53] - The Pain of Rejection
• [21:53] - From Humanless to Hopeless
• [23:05] - When God Seems Silent
• [23:48] - Persistence for the Sake of Others
• [25:31] - Increasing Worship in Difficulty
• [26:59] - Fighting for Your Blessing
• [28:16] - Identity and What You Answer To
• [29:58] - The Blessing Is for You Too
• [32:41] - Identity Debates and Social Media
• [34:27] - Legacy and Impact Beyond Self
• [35:40] - Timing and Testimony
• [37:40] - God Cares About Your Feelings
• [39:00] - Prayer for the Overlooked, Hopeless, and Helpless
• [40:09] - Final Encouragement and Benediction

Bible Reading

Matthew 15:21-28 (ESV) — 21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Observation Questions

1. What challenges did the Canaanite woman face when she approached Jesus, and how did the disciples respond to her? ([14:33])
2. How did Jesus initially respond to the woman’s request, and what was her reaction to being called a “dog”? ([28:16])
3. According to the sermon, what feelings did the woman experience as she sought help from Jesus? ([21:53])
4. What was the outcome of the woman’s persistence, and who benefited from her faith? ([23:48])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus have chosen to remain silent at first and then challenge the woman with difficult words? What does this reveal about faith and persistence? ([23:05])
2. The sermon talks about feeling “overlooked” or “less than human.” How does the Canaanite woman’s story speak to people who feel excluded or rejected today? ([15:54])
3. The woman’s request was for her daughter, not herself. What does this teach about the impact of our faith on others, especially our families and communities? ([34:27])
4. The sermon says, “It’s not about what others call us or how they label us; it’s about what we answer to and who we are in Christ.” How does this idea challenge the way we see ourselves and others? ([29:00])

Application Questions

1. The Canaanite woman didn’t let being ignored or insulted stop her from seeking help for her child. Is there an area in your life where you’ve felt overlooked or rejected? How did you respond, and what might persistence look like for you now? ([21:53])
2. The sermon says, “If we know what it’s like to be overlooked, we must not overlook others.” Can you think of someone in your life or community who might feel invisible or left out? What is one practical thing you can do this week to make them feel seen and valued? ([15:54])
3. The woman’s faith and persistence led to healing for her daughter. Is there someone you are praying for or fighting for right now? How can you keep pressing in, even when it feels like nothing is changing? ([23:48])
4. The message reminds us that our struggles can impact more than just ourselves—they can affect our families and communities. How have you seen your own battles or breakthroughs influence those around you? ([34:27])
5. The sermon says, “Our identity is secure in Him, and our legacy is shaped by our faithfulness, not by the opinions of others.” Are there any labels or opinions from others that you need to let go of? What would it look like to live out of your identity in Christ this week? ([29:00])
6. The pastor prayed for those feeling “humanless, hopeless, or helpless.” Which of these feelings do you relate to most right now? What would it look like to surrender those feelings to God and trust His process? ([39:00])
7. The sermon encourages us to “keep pressing, keep believing, and keep moving forward.” What is one step you can take this week to move forward in faith, even if you don’t see immediate results? ([35:40])