Trusting God Through Trials: Embracing Faith's Journey
Summary
In the exploration of faith and the challenges it presents, there is a profound understanding that belief often requires trusting in what is unseen. The longing for God's new creation and the restoration of the Earth is a deep-seated desire within many, and it is this yearning that propels the faithful through life's trials. The concept of believing without seeing is not merely an abstract idea but a tangible experience of trusting that God, who initiated the work of creation and redemption, will bring it to completion. This belief transcends the present suffering and reaches into the promise of eternal life, offering a sense of peace amidst pain.
The journey of faith is likened to watching a child's show, where the absence of a parent leads to growth in trust and maturity within the child. Similarly, the hardships and sufferings faced by believers are not obstacles but opportunities for developing endurance, character, and ultimately, hope. This perspective is echoed in the writings of Paul, who, despite his own trials, rejoiced in suffering because of the growth it produced.
The metaphor of a blank canvas is used to describe the moments in life when the presence of God seems to fade, leaving individuals questioning where God is and what He is doing. These moments of seeming emptiness are not indicative of God's absence but are instead opportunities for a deeper encounter with Him. It is in these times that individuals are called to trust in God's ongoing work, even when it is not immediately visible.
The narrative of Thomas, a close follower of Jesus, illustrates the struggle of doubt and the desire for tangible proof of God's action. Thomas's story is a powerful example of how isolation and withdrawal from community can lead to increased doubt and a lack of peace. However, it also demonstrates that Jesus meets individuals in their doubt, offering peace and inviting them to believe without seeing. This encounter with Jesus emphasizes the importance of community and the need to remain connected to others, even in times of uncertainty.
The concept of the "wall" is introduced as a metaphor for the times when individuals feel stuck or encounter obstacles in their spiritual journey. These walls are not signs of failure but are instead part of the natural cycle of growth. It is through these experiences that individuals are invited to deepen their trust in God and to embrace a journey of transformation that leads to a more intimate union with Him.
The teachings of James reinforce the idea that trials and sufferings are not to be shunned but embraced as they produce steadfastness and maturity. The faithful are encouraged to view these challenges as opportunities for growth rather than as problems to be solved. The story of Thomas serves as a reminder that even in the midst of doubt and confusion, God is present and ready to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.
In summary, the message conveyed is one of hope and encouragement to trust in God's presence and work, even when it is not immediately apparent. The faithful are called to embrace the trials of life as opportunities for growth, to remain connected to the community, and to believe in the promises of God, even when they are not yet fully realized.
Key Takeaways:
- Belief in the unseen is a fundamental aspect of faith, offering a sense of peace and purpose that transcends current suffering and looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. This belief is not passive but an active trust in God's faithfulness to complete the work He has begun. [01:06:06]
- The growth and maturity of faith often occur in the absence of tangible evidence of God's work. Like a child learning to trust in the return of a parent, believers develop a deeper intimacy with God through the trials and hardships they endure, much like Paul's teachings on rejoicing in suffering. [01:08:43]
- The metaphor of a blank canvas represents the times when God's presence and action may not be visible, prompting feelings of abandonment or doubt. However, these moments are actually opportunities for a deeper encounter with God and a call to trust in His unseen work. [30:03]
- The story of Thomas, known for his doubt, highlights the importance of community in the journey of faith. Withdrawal and isolation can lead to increased doubt, but Jesus meets us in our doubt, offering peace and an invitation to believe. This underscores the need for believers to stay connected to one another, especially during challenging times. [45:20]
- The concept of the "wall" in one's spiritual journey is not an indication of failure but a natural part of growth. These moments are invitations from Jesus to trust Him more deeply and to enter into a transforming union with Him, leading to greater maturity and conformity to His image. [34:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:24-29 (The story of Thomas and his doubt)
2. James 1:2-4 (Trials and steadfastness)
3. Romans 5:3-5 (Rejoicing in suffering)
#### Observation Questions
1. In John 20:24-29, what was Thomas's initial reaction to the other disciples' claim that they had seen the Lord?
2. According to James 1:2-4, what are the outcomes of facing trials and suffering?
3. How does Romans 5:3-5 describe the process and benefits of enduring suffering?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Thomas demanded physical proof of Jesus's resurrection before he would believe? How does this reflect common human tendencies? [44:05]
2. What does James mean by "steadfastness" and how is it developed through trials? [36:03]
3. How does Paul's teaching in Romans 5:3-5 about rejoicing in suffering challenge or support your current understanding of hardship and growth? [01:08:02]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were facing a "blank canvas" in your spiritual life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [30:03]
2. Thomas isolated himself from the other disciples during his time of doubt. How can you ensure that you stay connected to your faith community during times of personal struggle? [45:20]
3. James encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth. How can you shift your perspective on a current challenge you are facing to see it as an opportunity for developing steadfastness? [36:03]
4. The sermon mentioned that hardships can lead to deeper trust and intimacy with God. Can you identify a recent hardship that has brought you closer to God? How did it change your relationship with Him? [01:06:06]
5. The concept of the "wall" was introduced as a natural part of spiritual growth. Have you experienced a "wall" in your spiritual journey? How did you navigate through it, and what did you learn? [34:55]
6. How can you apply the lesson from Thomas's story to your own life when you face doubt or uncertainty? What practical steps can you take to seek Jesus in those moments? [45:20]
7. Paul talks about rejoicing in suffering because it produces endurance, character, and hope. How can you cultivate a mindset of rejoicing in your current or future sufferings? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of this truth? [01:08:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting the Unseen Reality
Faith is not a leap into the dark but a step into the light of unseen truth. Believers are called to trust in the promises of God, which offer peace and purpose beyond current sufferings. This active trust is anchored in the assurance that God will fulfill His work in creation and redemption. [01:06:06]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: How can you exercise trust in God's promises today, even when the evidence of His work is not visible in your current circumstances?
Day 2: Embracing Growth Through Absence
The absence of visible signs of God's work can lead to a deeper faith and intimacy with Him. Like a child who learns to trust a parent's return, believers grow in trust and maturity through life's trials, understanding that these experiences are not obstacles but opportunities for growth. [01:08:43]
Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent trial that has the potential to grow your perseverance and character? How can you embrace this trial as an opportunity for growth?
Day 3: The Canvas of Unseen Work
When God's presence seems to fade, it is not an absence but an invitation to seek Him more earnestly. The blank canvas moments in life are opportunities for believers to trust in God's ongoing, unseen work and to experience a deeper encounter with Him. [30:03]
Isaiah 45:3 - "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."
Reflection: What does trusting in God's unseen work look like for you in a practical sense during times when you feel He is silent?
Day 4: Community and Overcoming Doubt
Isolation can lead to doubt, but community provides the space for encountering Jesus and His peace. The story of Thomas reminds believers of the importance of staying connected to one another, especially in times of uncertainty, to foster belief without seeing. [45:20]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: How can you actively seek community this week to strengthen your faith and help others in their journey of belief?
Day 5: Transformative Encounters with the "Wall"
Encountering walls in the spiritual journey is not failure but an invitation to deeper trust and transformation. These moments are opportunities to grow in maturity and to be shaped more into the image of Christ. [34:55]
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: What "wall" are you facing right now, and how can you view it as an opportunity for transformation and deeper union with God?
Quotes
1) "Believing without seeing is to know that what God started, He will finish, reaching past my present suffering into the new creation that God will bring about." [01:06:06] (Download)
2) "There's growth in maturity and intimacy that comes from trust, which can only come when we don't see, much like a child learning that grown-ups come back." [01:07:20] (Download)
3) "Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope doesn't put us to shame." [01:08:43] (Download)
4) "The fruit of withdrawing from community is doubt, missing Jesus in the midst of it. It's why it's so important for us to stay in community." [49:37] (Download)
5) "These moments at the wall are not a problem at all; they are opportunities, invitations from Jesus to trust Him more and grow in our relationship." [34:55] (Download)
6) "The places where we grow the most in life are born in the soil of hardship and suffering, the incubator where real faith that endures comes from." [41:39] (Download)
7) "Jesus didn't knock and then they opened the door, He just shows up in the midst of a locked room, comforting us that He is more invested in our fullness and peace than we are." [59:05] (Download)
8) "In the blank canvas moments of life, when God's presence seems to fade, we're invited to trust in His unseen work, believing He's writing a beautiful story." [31:10] (Download)
9) "When we're at the wall, we may lock everything out, but Jesus breaks through, showing us He's been with us all along, ready to meet our needs." [54:28] (Download)
10) "The longer you follow Jesus, the more you'll experience moments of dryness or darkness, but these are common and part of the growth cycle." [35:27] (Download)
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