The Church has been told for decades that God is going to bless us and prosper us, but one of the missing teachings of the church in recent years is how the church is supposed to face life’s challenges and suffering as a Christian. 

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Facing life’s challenges are to build us up, not tear us down. The suffering we face in this life is to produce lasting results that will benefit us in future times. We all face tests in our faith and it’s just like being in school. If you pass the test, you move on to the next. If you fail the test, you get to do it all over again.

*Romans 5:3-4
*James 1:2-4
*1 Peter 1:6-7

Paul faced trials, tests, and life’s challenges to a level none of us may ever face, but we can leave from his testimony how his faith brought him through. We can leave with shy he was driven to keep going instead of giving up. To keep pressing on instead of coping out.

*2 Timothy 1:7-12

The world is in a condition right now that we don’t know what the future holds. The past 18 months have left the church in a time of not knowing if we will ever return to our former selves.

We better know the one Who does know!

Job faced some of the greatest challenges that could be thrown his way. Everyone around him was questioning what God was doing and why He was doing it. Job chapter 38 God answers Job.

God is all powerful (omnipotent)

If you are going to make it through life’s challenges you better know that it is God who holds all things together.

Colossians 1:16-17
¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

God is all knowing (omniscient)

As you face life’s challenges you will begin to see some things as they are revealed to you, but you will never see everything going on in your life. There will always you don’t understand.

1 Corinthians 13:12
¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

God is always present (omnipresent)

Do you believe God is always with you?

Isaiah 43:1-5
But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush^[a] and Seba in your stead.
⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.

 

*2 Timothy 1:7-12

• ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
• ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
• ⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
• ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
• ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
• ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

*Romans 5:3-4

• ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
• ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.

*James 1:2-4

• ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
• ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
• ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

*1 Peter 1:6-7

• ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
• ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.