Trusting God Through Life's Storms and Challenges
Summary
In the journey of preparing for this message, I found myself in a place of uncertainty and waiting on God. Despite my prayers and efforts, I initially received no clear direction, which led to feelings of panic and stress. However, through a conversation with a friend and a series of events, God began to reveal His message to me. This experience reminded me of the importance of trusting God even when we don't have all the answers. It was a lesson in patience and faith, knowing that God is always with us, even in the storms of life.
As I lay awake one stormy night, listening to the wind and rain, my thoughts turned to those less fortunate, like the homeless, who have no shelter from the storm. This reflection deepened my gratitude for the safety and security I have, and it reminded me of God's promise to be with us through every storm. Hebrews 13:5 reassures us that God will never leave us, and this truth is a source of comfort and strength.
The storms we face can take many forms—work, relationships, finances—but our focus should remain on God. We must hold onto His truths and reject the lies of the enemy. This brings me to a teaching I once heard from Louie Giglio about not giving the enemy a seat at our table. It's a powerful metaphor for maintaining our focus on God and not allowing negative thoughts or doubts to take root in our minds.
In moments of doubt, when we feel inadequate or overwhelmed, we must remember that God equips us for the tasks He sets before us. We have the authority to decide who sits at our table, and we must choose to let God's voice be the loudest. Our past scars and failures do not define us; instead, we are defined by God's love and grace.
Ultimately, the storms will pass, and we will emerge stronger if we keep our eyes on God. His promises are true, and His presence is constant. Let us trust in Him and not be swayed by the storms around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Trust in God's Timing: Even when we feel uncertain and anxious, God is working behind the scenes. Our faith is tested in these moments, teaching us patience and reliance on His perfect timing. [01:35]
2. God's Presence in the Storm: In the midst of life's storms, God's promise to never leave us is a source of comfort. We must focus on Him rather than the chaos around us, trusting that He holds us securely. [04:44]
3. Guarding Our Minds: We must be vigilant about the thoughts we entertain, ensuring that we do not give the enemy a foothold. By focusing on God's truths, we can resist the lies that seek to undermine our faith. [09:43]
4. Empowered by God's Truth: Our identity and worth are rooted in God's love, not in our past failures or the opinions of others. We have the power to reject negative thoughts and embrace the truth of who we are in Christ. [11:31]
5. Overcoming with God's Strength: The storms of life are opportunities to grow in faith and resilience. By keeping our eyes on God and trusting in His promises, we can navigate challenges with confidence and peace. [15:48]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:35] - Waiting on God's Direction
[02:14] - Struggles with Preparation
[03:06] - Finding Confirmation
[03:53] - Reflection on the Storm
[04:44] - God's Promise of Presence
[05:11] - Focus on God, Not the Storm
[05:59] - Different Forms of Storms
[07:58] - Louie Giglio's Teaching
[08:33] - Setting the Table
[09:43] - Guarding Against the Enemy
[10:53] - Rejecting Negative Thoughts
[11:57] - Personal Struggles and Realizations
[12:59] - Embracing God's Empowerment
[13:33] - Controlling the Table
[15:08] - Moving Forward with God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 13:5 - "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
2. Psalm 23:5 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
3. Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was the speaker's initial reaction to not hearing from God about the sermon topic? How did this change over time? [01:35]
2. How did the speaker's reflection on the storm outside lead to a deeper understanding of God's presence? [03:53]
3. What metaphor did Louie Giglio use to describe maintaining focus on God, and how was it explained in the sermon? [08:33]
4. How does the speaker describe the different forms that life's storms can take? [05:59]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Hebrews 13:5 provide comfort during times of uncertainty and waiting, as described in the sermon? [05:11]
2. In what ways does the metaphor of not giving the enemy a seat at our table help us understand the importance of guarding our minds? [09:43]
3. How does the speaker's experience of feeling inadequate relate to the idea of being empowered by God's truth? [11:31]
4. What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between past failures and our identity in Christ? [12:59]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain and anxious. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now, knowing that God is working behind the scenes? [01:35]
2. When facing a storm in your life, what practical steps can you take to focus on God rather than the chaos around you? [05:11]
3. Identify a negative thought or lie that you have entertained recently. How can you replace it with a truth from God's Word? [09:43]
4. Consider a past failure that you have allowed to define you. How can you begin to see yourself through the lens of God's love and grace instead? [11:31]
5. What specific action can you take this week to ensure that God's voice is the loudest at your table, especially when you feel overwhelmed? [13:33]
6. How can you use the storms in your life as opportunities to grow in faith and resilience? Share a recent experience where you saw growth through a challenge. [15:48]
7. Think of someone in your life who might be going through a storm. How can you offer them support and remind them of God's constant presence? [04:44]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Trusting in God's Unseen Workings
In moments of uncertainty and anxiety, it can be challenging to trust that God is working behind the scenes. Yet, these are the times when our faith is most tested and refined. Trusting in God's timing requires patience and a deep reliance on His wisdom, even when we cannot see the full picture. It is in these moments of waiting that we learn to surrender our own understanding and lean into His promises. Remember, God's timing is perfect, and He is always orchestrating events for our good and His glory. [01:35]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you actively choose to surrender this to Him today?
Day 2: Finding Comfort in God's Constant Presence
Life's storms can be overwhelming, but God's promise to never leave us is a source of profound comfort. In the midst of chaos, it is crucial to focus on His presence rather than the turmoil around us. This focus allows us to experience His peace and security, knowing that He holds us securely. God's presence is a constant, unchanging truth that we can rely on, no matter the circumstances. [04:44]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: When you face a storm in your life, how do you typically respond? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's presence during these times?
Day 3: Guarding Your Mind Against Negative Influences
The thoughts we entertain can significantly impact our faith journey. It is essential to be vigilant about what we allow into our minds, ensuring that we do not give the enemy a foothold. By focusing on God's truths, we can resist the lies that seek to undermine our faith. This requires intentionality in setting our minds on things above and rejecting thoughts that do not align with God's Word. [09:43]
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: What negative thoughts or influences have you allowed to take root in your mind? How can you replace these with God's truths today?
Day 4: Embracing Your Identity in Christ
Our identity and worth are not defined by our past failures or the opinions of others but by God's love and grace. We have the power to reject negative thoughts and embrace the truth of who we are in Christ. This empowerment comes from understanding that we are loved, chosen, and equipped by God for the tasks He sets before us. [11:31]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: How do you typically define your worth and identity? What steps can you take to align your self-perception with God's view of you?
Day 5: Growing Stronger Through Life's Storms
The storms of life are opportunities to grow in faith and resilience. By keeping our eyes on God and trusting in His promises, we can navigate challenges with confidence and peace. These experiences refine us, teaching us to rely on God's strength rather than our own. As we emerge from these storms, we find ourselves stronger and more deeply rooted in our faith. [15:48]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did it impact your faith? What did you learn about God's strength and your own resilience through this experience?
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Quotes
"So, over the last few months, I've been praying and asking God what to speak on tonight. Probably since about March, actually. I've been asking God what to speak on tonight. Long time, ain't it, Craig? It is a long time. You know what? I'll be honest, and I hadn't heard a thing off God. Praying and praying, and I've had, up until today, nothing at all. And I thought, great, thanks. So I just started to panic and stress, as I do." [00:01:19] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And I was lying in my bed, my makeshift bed. And all through the night, all I could hear was the wind and the rain and the storm. And I felt God speaking to me. And as I was lying there, I could hear all this outside going on. And I could hear things. The bins being blown over. Everything being tossed and turned about. It just sounded awful outside. And in that moment, my heart just went out to the homeless people who can't find shelter, who are stuck outside." [00:03:39] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Now, I know I am truly blessed to have a roof over my head. Sometimes I do moan, but I am blessed. And it's not something that I should take for granted. But more than that, I felt God remind me that no matter the storm around me, that he has got me. And I just felt God put a couple of questions just to pose to you to think about. Who's got you in the storm? What are you focused on? Are you focusing on the storm or on the one who's holding you?" [00:04:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Storms come in different shapes and sizes to each of us. It could be work situations, relationships, finance, to name a few. But whatever it is, we must stay focused on God. We need to believe his truths and not the lies of the enemy. Which actually leads me to what he initially gave me. He has been speaking to me about this like I say. He reminded me of it. And when I was speaking with a friend, she actually pointed this out to me." [00:06:09] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Diolch yn fawr iawn. Ac ar y cyfweliad hwn, roedd yn siarad am beidio â rhoi ystafell i 'r ennig ar eich tafel. A yw unrhyw un wedi gwrando ar hynny? Nid yw 'n hyfryd? Wel, rwy 'n mynd i 'w gofyn i chi am ychydig o bethau sy 'n yno yno, iawn, oherwydd rwy 'n gwrando arno eto dros y diwrnod diwethaf ac mae pethau wedi dod allan i mi o 'r flynyddoedd diwethaf, felly roeddwn i 'n meddwl, chi 'n gwybod beth? Mae 'n rhaid i rywun yma ddim ond angen snypad o beth?" [00:08:33] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Rydych chi 'n gweld ei fod yn dod yn mewn ffordd caled, mewn ffordd sly, ar eich lefel, gyda sefyllfaoedd personol. Mae 'n siarad a 'i ffynnu am eich problemau, eich anoddau, ac mae 'n dod i ddal popeth y mae 'r arglwydd wedi ei wneud i chi. Bydd hi 'n mynd i 'ch gwerthu rhywbeth i 'ch gwneud i chi ddim y gweddfa o 'r arglwydd." [00:10:35] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Mae 'n dda i 'n bwydo llyfrau. Mae rhai o 'r rhain yn fy hun. Nid ydych chi 'n ddigon dda. Nid ydych chi 'n ddigon smart. Nid ydych chi 'n mynd i ffail. Nid ydych chi 'n mynd i 'w wneud. Nid yw unrhyw un yn mynd i 'w hoffi chi. Mae 'n ddigon gobeithio. Os ydych chi 'n clywed unrhyw un o 'r rhain, rydw i 'n dweud wrthych chi, mae hi eisoes ar y tafel." [00:11:11] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Ac wrth i 'r stwmau ddod, sefydliwch ar y tafel, yn canolbwyntio ar dduw, yn treulio amser gyda 'i gilydd, yn siarad â 'i gilydd a 'i gilydd. Bydd y stwmau hynny 'n mynd, oherwydd byddwch chi 'n cael eu trafod gyda 'r dduw ar eich ochr. Fel y dywedais, mae 'n ei hannabod byth i 'n gadael." [00:15:29] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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