Resilience Through Faith: Bouncing Back with God
Summary
In this sermon, I shared my personal experiences of overcoming challenges and setbacks in my life, emphasizing the importance of resilience and faith in God. I discussed my journey through various church positions, some of which ended in painful experiences, and my personal health struggles. Despite these challenges, I chose to keep trusting God and continue my walk with Him. I also shared my experiences with pregnancy losses and the joy of welcoming our children into the world. Through these experiences, I learned that everyone needs to know how to bounce back and get back up when life knocks them down.
In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the importance of involving God in everything we do and say. I emphasized that our actions and words reveal whether we are down or walking with God. I encouraged the congregation to ask God for help in controlling their words and actions to prevent hurting others. I also introduced an acrostic, START, to provide practical steps on how to involve God in everything and how to bounce back from setbacks.
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience and faith in God are crucial in overcoming life's challenges and setbacks. It's important to keep trusting God and continue walking with Him, even when things don't go as planned. ([07:05])
- Our actions and words reveal our spiritual state. When we're down, we may say or do things that hurt others. Therefore, it's important to ask God for help in controlling our words and actions. ([14:08])
- Everyone needs to know how to bounce back and get back up when life knocks them down. This involves learning how to reboot and get back on track with God. ([05:19])
- It's important to stop making excuses for our wrongdoings. Instead, we should confess and renounce our sins to find mercy. ([15:55])
- We can involve God in everything we do by following the START acrostic: Stop making excuses, Take responsibility, Act in faith, Refocus on God, and Trust in God's love. ([15:13])
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. We all have things we think, do, and say. The question is whether they reveal that we're down or that we're walking with God. We should get God involved in everything we speak and do, asking Him to help us so that our words don't hurt others. [14:08]
2. We should learn how to reboot after something knocks us down so that we can immediately get back up and get strong with God again. This way, we don't repeat the same mistakes and hurt others again. [14:39]
3. The speaker presents an acrostic, START, to help us involve God in everything and bounce back from setbacks. The steps are: Stop making excuses, Take responsibility, Apologize and ask for forgiveness, Refocus your thoughts, and Trust in the Lord. [15:13] [27:14] [29:39]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Proverbs 28
2. Romans 12
3. Colossians 3
4. Zechariah 4
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. In the sermon, the speaker mentioned that our words and actions reveal whether we're down or walking with God. Can you share an instance where this was true in your life?
2. How did the speaker explain the concept of "rebooting" after a setback?
3. What does the START acrostic stand for and how does each step help us involve God in everything and bounce back from setbacks?
Interpretation Questions:
1. In Proverbs 28:13, it says, "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." How does this verse relate to the first two steps of the START acrostic?
2. Romans 12:2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of your mind. How does this connect with the fourth step of the START acrostic, which is to refocus your thoughts?
3. In Zechariah 4:6, it says, "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." How does this verse support the final step of the START acrostic, which is to trust in the Lord?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a recent situation where you could have applied the START acrostic? How would it have changed the outcome?
2. How can you practically involve God in everything you speak and do, as suggested in the sermon?
3. How can you help others in your life apply the START acrostic when they face setbacks?
Devotional
Day 1: Refocus Your Thoughts
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with negative thoughts. These thoughts can cloud our judgment and lead us away from the path of righteousness. However, God encourages us to refocus our thoughts towards gratitude and faith.
Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you struggled with negative thoughts. How did you handle it? Could you have asked God or your community for help in refocusing your thoughts towards gratitude and faith? What is one step you can take to lead or participate in a small group for mutual support?
Day 2: Trust in the Lord
In times of trouble, we often rely on our own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord. However, God encourages us to lean on Him for strength and guidance.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Can you recall a challenging situation where you leaned on your own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord? How might the outcome have been different if you had leaned on God's spirit for strength and guidance? What is one burden or concern you can give to God today?
Day 3: Stop Making Excuses
We often make excuses for our sins instead of confessing and renouncing them. However, God encourages us to seek His mercy and forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Have you recently made excuses for a sin instead of confessing and renouncing it? How can you seek God's mercy and forgiveness for this wrongdoing? What is one way you can involve God in your daily actions to prevent hurting others?
Day 4: Take Inventory of Your Experiences
Our experiences, both good and bad, shape us and help us grow in our faith. God encourages us to take inventory of these experiences and learn from them.
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Reflection: When was the last time you took inventory of your experiences, both good and bad? What lessons did you learn from these experiences? How have these experiences helped you grow in your faith? Can you identify a recent victory that you can celebrate in God?
Day 5: Involve God in Everything
In times of setback, we often forget to involve God in our recovery process. However, God encourages us to seek His guidance and strength in all situations.
Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reflection: Can you think of a recent setback where you didn't involve God in your recovery process? How might involving God have changed the outcome? What is one way you can seek God's guidance and strength in controlling your words and actions, especially when you are feeling down?
Quotes
1. "All of us have things we think, all of us have things we do, all of us have words we say. The question is, are they revealing that we're down or are they revealing that we're up and that we're walking with God? What do they reveal? They're going to show something." - 14:08
2. "Stop making excuses for yourself. Proverbs 28:13 says, 'Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.' So to miss the mark, those who miss the mark and we all do, we can still find mercy if we'll confess it." - 15:55
3. "Ask God to refocus your thoughts. Ask him to help you not spiral down in your mind. Let your mind be renewed, let your mind refocus. Proverbs 4:23 says, 'Above all else, guard your heart, which is your mind, for everything you do flows from it.'" - 27:14
4. "Ask God for stuff. Ask him to bless you. James chapter 1 verse 5 and 6 says, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.'" - 24:19
5. "Trust in the Lord. Zechariah 4 verse 6 says, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.' You can trust him. The Spirit of God wants to bless you and help you and strengthen you and keep you out of trouble and keep you from staying down after you stumble." - 29:39
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