Thriving Through Adversity: Trusting God's Faithfulness
Summary
Today, the focus is on overcoming adversity and learning to thrive in the midst of challenges, rather than being consumed by worry or frustration over the state of the world or the actions of others. The gifts of the Spirit are present and available, and God’s authority is in the room, ready to empower us. Drawing from Psalm 37 and the story of Caleb in Numbers 13, the call is to stop fretting over evildoers and the injustices that seem to prevail. Instead, the invitation is to trust in the Lord, do good, and feed on His faithfulness, knowing that God’s provision and care are not dependent on the chaos around us.
It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity and agitation that saturate our culture—politics, social unrest, and the constant barrage of bad news. But Scripture instructs us not to let these things kindle anger or anxiety within us. The world’s problems come and go, but God’s faithfulness endures. Rather than wasting energy on what we cannot control, we are called to do good, delight ourselves in the Lord, and trust that He will give us the desires of our hearts. This delight is not passive; it’s an active, joyful engagement with God that transforms our desires and aligns them with His will.
Adversity is not something to be avoided or prayed away. Like lifting weights, it is the resistance that builds our spiritual strength. God does not intend for us to be weak or to have every obstacle removed from our path. Instead, He wants us to become overcomers—people who face challenges head-on, trusting that He will bring us through and make us stronger in the process. This principle applies to every area of life, from parenting and personal growth to our walk with God. Discipline, correction, and facing difficulties are all part of God’s process to mature us and prepare us for greater things.
Ultimately, the choice is ours: we can focus on the problems and the people who seem to prosper through wrongdoing, or we can focus on God’s goodness, His promises, and the path He has set before us. When we delight in Him, commit our way to Him, and trust Him, He orders our steps and brings His purposes to pass. The adversity we face is not meant to destroy us but to develop us into spiritual warriors who possess the promises of God. Let’s change our language from complaint to praise, from fear to faith, and move forward to claim the victory that is already ours in Christ.
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Key Takeaways
- Stop Fretting Over Evildoers and Injustice
The world is full of agitation, injustice, and people who seem to prosper while doing wrong. Yet, Scripture commands us not to let these things stir us up or make us anxious. Our energy is better spent trusting God and doing good, knowing that the apparent success of the wicked is temporary and God’s justice will prevail. Fretting only harms us and distracts us from God’s faithfulness. [45:33]
- Delight in the Lord and Let Him Transform Your Desires
There is a profound difference between living in worry and living in delight. When we choose to delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires begin to align with His, and He gives us the very things our hearts truly need. This delight is an active joy in God’s presence and purposes, which shifts our prayers from fear-based requests to faith-filled expectations. [53:08]
- Adversity Is God’s Tool for Spiritual Growth
Just as muscles are built by pushing against resistance, our spiritual strength is developed through facing and overcoming adversity. God does not intend for us to avoid every problem but to become overcomers who grow stronger through each challenge. Praying for God to remove every obstacle is less effective than asking Him for the strength and wisdom to overcome them. [55:05]
- Commit Your Way to the Lord and Stay the Course
It’s not enough to tell God what we want and then return to worry or doubt. True faith involves committing our path to Him, trusting that He will bring His promises to pass, and refusing to be distracted by setbacks or the apparent success of others. God orders the steps of those who trust Him, and He delights in their journey, even when it includes stumbles and falls. [01:08:36]
- Change Your Language from Complaint to Praise
The words we speak reflect the focus of our hearts. When we shift from complaining about problems to praising God for His faithfulness and provision, we create an atmosphere of faith that attracts God’s blessing. This change in language not only transforms our own outlook but also influences those around us, moving us from circles of gossip and negativity to communities of faith and encouragement. [01:16:08]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[36:02] - Gifts of the Spirit Are Present
[38:25] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[45:33] - Stop Fretting Over Evildoers
[47:36] - Trust in the Lord and Do Good
[49:22] - The World’s Agitation and God’s Faithfulness
[51:13] - Responding to Adversity with Faith
[53:08] - Delighting in the Lord
[54:20] - Spiritual Growth Through Resistance
[56:01] - The Value of Discipline and Correction
[58:20] - Overcoming Adversity in Life
[01:01:31] - Protecting the Next Generation
[01:08:36] - Commit Your Way to the Lord
[01:16:08] - Change Your Language, Change Your Life
[01:24:30] - Possessing the Promised Land
[01:28:59] - Faith for Breakthrough and Victory
[01:40:29] - Closing Prayer and Declaration of Victory
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Overcoming Adversity and Thriving in Challenges
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 37:1-7 (ESV)
> Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
> For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
> Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
> Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
> Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
> He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
> Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Numbers 13:30 (ESV)
> But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 37, what are the specific instructions given to believers when they see evildoers prospering?
2. According to Numbers 13:30, what was Caleb’s response to the negative report from the other spies?
3. The sermon describes the meaning of “fret” in Psalm 37 as “to become hot, angry, get excited or kindle, start a fire.” What are some examples the pastor gave of how people get “fired up” over the world’s problems? [45:33]
4. What does the passage say will happen to those who do evil, compared to those who trust in the Lord?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Psalmist tells us not to fret or be envious of those who do wrong, even when it seems like they are succeeding?
2. The sermon compares adversity to lifting weights, saying that resistance builds strength. How does this analogy help us understand God’s purpose for allowing challenges in our lives? [54:20]
3. What does it mean to “delight yourself in the Lord,” and how does this differ from simply trying to avoid problems or worrying about them? [53:08]
4. The pastor said, “Don’t tell God what you want and then tomorrow go back to worrying about it.” What does true commitment to God’s way look like in everyday life? [01:08:36]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to stop getting worked up over the news, politics, or the actions of others. What is one area where you find yourself “fretting” or getting agitated? What would it look like to redirect that energy into trusting God and doing good? [49:22]
2. When you face adversity, do you tend to pray for God to remove the problem, or for strength to overcome it? Share a recent challenge and how you responded. How might you approach it differently in light of this teaching? [55:05]
3. The pastor talked about changing our language from complaint to praise. What is one complaint you’ve been repeating lately? How could you turn that into a statement of faith or gratitude this week? [01:16:08]
4. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” What does it look like for you to actively delight in God? Are there practical ways you can increase your joy in Him this week? [53:08]
5. The sermon emphasized that adversity is not meant to destroy us, but to develop us. Can you think of a time when a difficult situation actually made you stronger or brought you closer to God? How did your perspective change as a result? [54:20]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of discipline and correction, especially in parenting. If you are a parent (or have influence over young people), how do you balance protecting them with allowing them to face challenges and learn resilience? [58:20]
7. Caleb said, “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Is there a “promised land” or goal in your life that you’ve been hesitant to pursue because of obstacles? What step of faith could you take this week to move forward? [01:24:30]
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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for faith to overcome adversity, for hearts that delight in the Lord, and for the courage to change their language from complaint to praise.
Devotional
Day 1: Overcoming Adversity Through Faith
God does not call us to avoid adversity, but to face it with faith, trusting that He will bring us through stronger than before. When we encounter obstacles, rather than praying for their removal, we should ask God for the strength and wisdom to overcome them, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and victory. Like Caleb, who saw the giants in the land but declared, "We are well able to overcome it," we too must see our problems through the lens of God's power, not our own limitations. The Lord delights in those who trust Him and step forward in faith, believing that He is greater than any mountain before us. [55:05]
Numbers 13:30 (ESV)
But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Reflection: What is one specific obstacle you are facing right now that you have been asking God to remove? How can you shift your prayer today to ask for the faith and strength to overcome it instead?
Day 2: Do Not Fret—Trust and Do Good
It is easy to become anxious, angry, or envious when we see evil or injustice around us, but God calls us to a different response. Instead of getting worked up over what others are doing, we are to trust in the Lord and do good, knowing that He is faithful and will take care of His people. Our energy is better spent making a positive difference and feeding on God's faithfulness than wasting time in worry or complaint. When we focus on doing what is right, God promises to provide for us and satisfy our needs, regardless of the chaos in the world. [45:33]
Psalm 37:1-3 (ESV)
Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Reflection: When you find yourself getting worked up about the news or someone else’s actions, what is one good thing you can do today to shift your focus back to trusting God and doing good?
Day 3: Delighting in the Lord Changes Your Desires
There is a powerful contrast between living in worry and living in delight. When we choose to delight ourselves in the Lord, He transforms our desires and fills our hearts with joy, replacing fear and frustration with faith and expectation. As we get excited about what God is doing and focus on His goodness, our prayers and dreams become aligned with His will, and He gives us the desires of our hearts. This delight is not passive; it is an active, joyful anticipation of God’s faithfulness in every area of our lives. [53:08]
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can intentionally choose to delight in the Lord today, and how might that change your desires or prayers?
Day 4: Commit Your Way and Let God Order Your Steps
When we commit our way to the Lord and trust Him fully, He promises to bring His plans to pass and to order our steps. This means staying faithful to the path God has set before us, even when we don’t see immediate results or when distractions and frustrations arise. God delights in those who walk in His ways, and even if we stumble, He upholds us with His hand. Our commitment to God’s way leads to a life of purpose, blessing, and generational impact, as He provides for us and our children. [01:08:36]
Psalm 37:5, 23-25 (ESV)
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. ... The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
Reflection: What is one area where you need to recommit your way to the Lord and trust Him to order your steps, even if you don’t see the outcome yet?
Day 5: Change Your Language—Speak Faith, Not Complaint
The words we speak shape our perspective and our future. Instead of complaining about problems or focusing on what others are doing wrong, we are called to speak the language of faith—declaring God’s goodness, thanking Him for His provision, and claiming victory over adversity. When we shift our conversation from negativity to praise, we align ourselves with God’s promises and open the door for His blessings to flow in our lives and in our community. Let your words today be filled with faith, gratitude, and expectation for what God is doing and will do. [01:16:08]
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Reflection: What is one negative or complaining phrase you often say about your situation or others? How can you replace it today with a declaration of faith or gratitude?
Quotes
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