Trusting God Through Family Struggles and Brokenness
Summary
### Summary
Today, we continue our series "From Brokenness to Breakthrough" by reflecting on the journey of Abraham and Sarah, and how their story mirrors the struggles and blessings many of us experience in our own families. Celebrating 32 years of marriage with Hope, I was reminded of the unexpected paths and challenges we faced, much like Abraham and Sarah. They were called by God to leave their home and journey to an unknown land, trusting in His promise to make them a great nation. Despite their obedience, they faced years of waiting and disappointment, particularly in their desire to have children.
In Genesis 16, we see Sarah's frustration and impatience lead her to suggest that Abraham have a child with her servant, Hagar. This decision, born out of human impatience and discontentment, resulted in family conflict and emotional turmoil. Yet, even in this mess, God’s faithfulness shines through. He meets Hagar in the wilderness, showing that He sees, hears, and pursues us even in our darkest moments.
The story of Abraham and Sarah teaches us that every family has its struggles and brokenness. It’s in these moments of waiting and uncertainty that we are most tempted to take control and deviate from God’s plan. However, God’s promises remain steadfast. He works through our messes, bringing beauty and purpose out of our brokenness. The key is to trust Him, even when the wait seems unbearable, and to remember that He is always with us, seeing and hearing our cries.
### Key Takeaways
1. God’s Faithfulness in the Unknown: Abraham and Sarah’s journey began with a call to leave their comfort zone and trust God’s promise without knowing the destination. This teaches us that faith often requires stepping into the unknown, trusting that God’s plans are greater than our understanding. [12:41]
2. The Danger of Impatience: Sarah’s decision to have Abraham conceive a child with Hagar highlights the dangers of impatience and taking matters into our own hands. When we act out of frustration and discontentment, we often complicate our lives and create more problems. Trusting God’s timing is crucial, even when it’s difficult. [21:11]
3. God Meets Us in Our Wilderness: Hagar’s encounter with God in the wilderness shows that He pursues us even in our most desperate moments. God sees, hears, and knows us intimately, and He meets us in our places of brokenness to offer comfort and guidance. [38:04]
4. The Importance of Dealing with Our Past: God’s questions to Hagar, “Where have you come from?” and “Where are you going?” emphasize the need to confront and deal with our past before we can move forward. Healing and breakthrough require acknowledging and addressing past hurts and mistakes. [42:43]
5. God’s Unchanging Love and Promises: Despite the messiness of Abraham and Sarah’s family, God’s love and promises remained steadfast. He blessed Hagar and her son, Ishmael, showing that His love extends to all people. This reminds us that God’s love is unchanging and His promises are true, even when we falter. [47:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:24] - Reflecting on 32 Years of Marriage
[02:47] - The Rarity of Long-Term Pastoral Tenure
[04:13] - Blessings and Challenges in Family
[05:42] - Struggles in Marriage and Family
[07:04] - Every Family Has Brokenness
[08:48] - Biblical Examples of Family Dysfunction
[10:07] - Introduction to Abraham and Sarah
[11:23] - Abraham’s Call and Journey
[12:41] - Trusting God in the Unknown
[13:59] - The Waiting Room of Faith
[15:30] - Family Meltdowns and Struggles
[18:12] - The Emotional Toll of Waiting
[21:11] - Sarah’s Impatience and Decision
[24:18] - The Consequences of Taking Control
[26:04] - The Danger of Discontentment
[27:34] - David’s Lament and Our Own
[28:54] - From Surrender to Striving
[30:28] - Family Conflict and Complications
[32:07] - Blame and Deflection in Relationships
[35:11] - Taking Out Frustrations on Others
[38:04] - God Meets Us in the Wilderness
[42:43] - Confronting Our Past to Move Forward
[47:12] - God’s Love and Promises
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 16:1-16 - The story of Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham.
2. Genesis 12:1-4 - God's call to Abraham to leave his homeland.
3. Psalm 13:1-2 - David's lament, expressing feelings of abandonment and questioning God's timing.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, and how did it set the stage for their journey?
2. How did Sarah's impatience manifest in Genesis 16:1-2, and what were the immediate consequences of her decision? [21:11]
3. In Genesis 16:7-8, how did God demonstrate His awareness and care for Hagar in the wilderness?
4. What emotions and questions does David express in Psalm 13:1-2, and how do they relate to the feelings of Sarah and Abraham during their period of waiting? [27:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Abraham and Sarah's journey of faith in Genesis 12:1-4 illustrate the concept of trusting God in the unknown? What does this teach us about stepping out in faith? [12:41]
2. What are the dangers of taking matters into our own hands, as seen in Sarah's decision in Genesis 16:1-2? How can impatience complicate our lives? [21:11]
3. How does God's encounter with Hagar in Genesis 16:7-8 show His faithfulness and care even in our darkest moments? What does this reveal about God's character? [38:04]
4. In Psalm 13:1-2, David's lament reflects a deep sense of waiting and questioning. How can expressing our frustrations to God, as David did, be a part of our faith journey? [27:34]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to step into the unknown, trusting God's plan without knowing the outcome. How did that experience shape your faith? [12:41]
2. Are there areas in your life where impatience is leading you to take control rather than waiting on God's timing? How can you surrender these areas to God? [21:11]
3. When have you felt like you were in a "wilderness" season, similar to Hagar's experience? How did you sense God's presence and care during that time? [38:04]
4. David's lament in Psalm 13:1-2 shows the importance of being honest with God about our struggles. How can you incorporate this kind of honest prayer into your daily life? [27:34]
5. Think about a past hurt or mistake that you need to confront and deal with. What steps can you take to address this and move forward in your faith journey? [42:43]
6. How can you remind yourself of God's unchanging love and promises, especially during times of waiting and uncertainty? What practical steps can you take to stay grounded in His faithfulness? [47:12]
7. Identify a specific area of your life where you need to trust God's timing. What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate your trust in His plan? [26:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God in the Unknown
Description: Abraham and Sarah’s journey began with a call to leave their comfort zone and trust God’s promise without knowing the destination. This teaches us that faith often requires stepping into the unknown, trusting that God’s plans are greater than our understanding. Abraham and Sarah had to leave everything familiar behind, relying solely on God’s promise to make them a great nation. This act of faith is a powerful reminder that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our understanding of His plans. [12:41]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are unsure of the outcome. How can you take a step of faith today, trusting that God’s plans are greater than your understanding?
Day 2: The Danger of Impatience
Description: Sarah’s decision to have Abraham conceive a child with Hagar highlights the dangers of impatience and taking matters into our own hands. When we act out of frustration and discontentment, we often complicate our lives and create more problems. Sarah’s impatience led to family conflict and emotional turmoil, showing us the importance of trusting God’s timing. It’s crucial to remember that God’s promises are fulfilled in His perfect timing, not ours. [21:11]
Psalm 37:7 (ESV): "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!"
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are feeling impatient. How can you practice patience and trust in God’s timing today?
Day 3: God Meets Us in Our Wilderness
Description: Hagar’s encounter with God in the wilderness shows that He pursues us even in our most desperate moments. God sees, hears, and knows us intimately, and He meets us in our places of brokenness to offer comfort and guidance. Hagar felt abandoned and alone, yet God sought her out, demonstrating His unwavering presence and care. This story reassures us that no matter how lost or broken we feel, God is always with us, ready to provide the support we need. [38:04]
Genesis 16:13 (ESV): "So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are a God of seeing,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt alone or abandoned. How did you experience God’s presence and care during that time? How can you seek His comfort in your current struggles?
Day 4: Confronting Our Past to Move Forward
Description: God’s questions to Hagar, “Where have you come from?” and “Where are you going?” emphasize the need to confront and deal with our past before we can move forward. Healing and breakthrough require acknowledging and addressing past hurts and mistakes. By facing our past, we can find the strength and clarity to move forward in God’s plan for our lives. This process of reflection and healing is essential for personal growth and spiritual development. [42:43]
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 past hurt or mistake do you need to confront and address? How can you seek God’s guidance and healing to move forward?
Day 5: God’s Unchanging Love and Promises
Description: Despite the messiness of Abraham and Sarah’s family, God’s love and promises remained steadfast. He blessed Hagar and her son, Ishmael, showing that His love extends to all people. This reminds us that God’s love is unchanging and His promises are true, even when we falter. God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our actions but on His unchanging nature. This assurance allows us to trust in His promises and rely on His steadfast love. [47:12]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God’s love. How can you remind yourself of His unchanging love and promises today? How can you extend that same love to others?
Quotes
1. "Every family has problems. Every family has brokenness in it, right? It's in every family that includes your pastors. And again, we, we just realized that some of you that family is something that is a great blessing for you. But we also know this, that in a church, in any church, in a church this size, especially is that there are some of you that the deepest wounds that you've experienced have come from people that you love." [07:04] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What God also does is he takes these families that are really, really messy and God in his perfect way brings something beautiful out of that. And as we look at this today, we're going to look at a family, a family from the really kind of the father of our faith, who is Abraham. And you're going to see he's married to a woman named Sarah." [09:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "My hope today is that you see that God wants to do something in the middle of what it is that you are facing. And I hope you know this too, that you're not alone. As I share about struggles that we've had in our family, which are very real. Now, some of you have experienced the pain of divorce. Some of you have experienced the pain of maybe a child kind of going off the rails and, you know, and there's just so many things." [10:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The waiting place is a dangerous place. The waiting place can be where you make good decisions to continue to trust and lean into God. But the waiting place also can be where you decide to take control and do it your way. This is what we are tempted to. We're tempted to either go our way, culture's way, as opposed to God's way. Here's something good to write down. We are tempted to go another way when we're waiting on God." [25:04] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How long, Lord, until the depression lifts? How long, Lord, until the illness that I've been battling with gets better? How long, Lord, until this thing at work changes? How long until our marriage, maybe gets more stable? How long until our child comes back to the ways that we've taught him or her? It's a very real lament. How long? And this huge lesson that God is showing us today and the huge lesson that he's giving us, all of us today, is this, is that the weight can be where we are tempted to discontentment." [27:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God can still work mightily in our messes. And you may find yourself kind of in the middle of a mess right now. And I want you to know you're not alone. And I want you to know there is hope. And that is the intent of where, as we keep reading in a moment, you're going to see a family that had some serious mess and dysfunction, but you're going to see big picture that God can even work in the middle of the mess. God does things that maybe we don't even expect him to do." [18:12] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God pursues us. That's what it's showing. God pursues you even when you go into the wilderness. Not only does he pursue you, he knows you. And you may feel forgotten, but this is showing that he pursues, that he knows, that he knows us in the middle of our mess, and that he's pursuing you, even if things in your family are a mess right now, if your life is a mess, if it's a mess at work, whatever it may be, God hasn't forgotten you is what you're being shown." [41:01] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You have to begin to acknowledge and deal with things that have happened in the past because they're affecting you right now. Maybe relationships right now, and they're going to continue to affect you, affect you in the future. If you won't allow God to do something in the middle of this, but you first have to acknowledge where you came from. I got to deal with some stuff. Before you can begin to find the breakthrough here, you got to make peace with your past. You got to allow the Holy Spirit, our God, to help you deal with this." [42:43] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You can't properly move forward until you start though, to deal with whatever it is that you have come out of. And we don't do that by pretending. We don't, you know, just stuff that we've got to deal with the stuff. And so look at what she says. And that might be where some of you are also. I'm on the run. I ended up here because they've not been being nice to me. I'm on the run. I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai. And that is what a lot of us will do. It's a natural response. Fight or flight, right? Well, she's in the flight mode rolling out. I got to get away from these people. We run away." [44:19] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Maybe you've run away from a mess. Maybe you're in the wilderness, right? And it's really complicated. Maybe you've run away from a problem and that's been your MO is you just keep running. And here's what he's showing. You got to stop and you've got to deal with it with God and let him begin to do something within you. Now he's going to begin to give her a tough step of faith. In verse nine, the angel of the Lord said to her, return to your mistress and submit to her authority." [45:42] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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