Devotionals about Suffering & Trials
Suffering is not the evidence that God has left — it's often where He does His deepest work. The devotionals on suffering and trials below refuse easy answers and sit with the real pain while pointing to the real hope.
210 devotionals about suffering & trials
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210 devotionals in Suffering & Trials
May 2, 2023
Living is Christ: Finding Purpose in Every Circumstance
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Philippians 1:21 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the...
gods-loveApril 11, 2023
God's Unfailing Love Through Life's Curveballs
Life can throw you curve balls, we all know that. Lately, I’ve had a steady diet of them too. But, you know what, I know they will eventually pass and today is a beautiful new day full of hope!So, as we move forward this week, take time to think about the unfailing love of God. Despite our sinful...
disappointmentApril 10, 2023
When Disappointment Becomes Direction
If you’ve ever competed in anything or spent much time trying to accomplish anything, then I’m sure you’re familiar with disappointment. I say this jokingly, because clearly we’ve all had disappointments in our lives. However, the disappointments we face can either keep us where we are or catapul...
perseveranceMarch 29, 2023
Blessed in Trials: Standing Steadfast for the Crown of Life
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”James 1:12 As we’ve talked about staying true to our faith under hard times and how that will build perseverance, James tells us t...
trialsMarch 21, 2023
Count It Joy During Trials - God Is Shaping You
It sure seems like every time you turn around we are being informed about someone else’s troubles. From individual victims of bad fortune to groups feeling victimized. While I certainly feel empathy, I can’t help but reflect on the fact the If you live long enough in this world, you will inevitab...
sufferingMarch 15, 2023
When We Get Frustrated with God
Why do we sometimes get frustrated or angry with God? Let’s face it, we all do it. We lose a job promotion, a competition didn’t go our way, we experience a death in the family, personal injury or financial hardships. This list is long...we all have them. Life’s hard. "God, why did you let that h...
peaceMarch 1, 2023
Finding Perfect Peace in Life's Imperfect Circumstances
So, what causes us to think God’s peace equals perfection on earth? Our expectations. I read where a pastor once said, “If I’m going to live at peace, I’ve got to surrender my expectation of perfection. Peace isn’t found in a place or in a set of circumstances that are problem free.” Amen, huh?Wh...
trialsJanuary 3, 2023
When the Storm Hits: Trusting God's Plan
I talked to a friend yesterday who was diagnosed with Cancer mid-year last year and his did who was diagnosed five years ago. We were all just remunerating and laughing about some of the nuances of treatment. But it got me thinking how quickly things can turn in our lives just when we think “we g...
sufferingJanuary 2, 2023
After Suffering: God's Promise of Restoration
Happy New Year! I’m still tired from that Saturday of football games! “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”1 Peter 5:10 I love this verse from Peter. You...
sufferingDecember 9, 2022
Rejoicing in Suffering: God's Megaphone of Grace
Like you, I’ve gone through sufferings and hard times and I will again I’m sure. But are we rejoicing in our sufferings?Here’s a great quote by CS Lewis, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” “Not only t...
thanksgivingNovember 24, 2022
Gospel Chains: Finding Purpose in Prison
Happy Thanksgiving!“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the...
perseveranceNovember 17, 2022
You've Survived 100%: God Uses All Things for Good
This has been a tough week and it’s only Thursday, but you know what, life keeps going doesn’t it? I love the saying, “you’ve survived 100% of everything you’ve gone through so far, so there’s a good chance you’re going to make it through this...”The things you go through make you unique. Everyon...
peaceNovember 14, 2022
Peace in the Storm: Jesus Has Overcome the World
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."”John 16:33 Do you ever feel like life is one problem after another?You make it through one issue, but before you can recover another one shoots up....
patienceOctober 19, 2022
Finding Patience: God's Control in Life's Pressures
Are the horrible election campaign ads ever going to stop? Good grief…We live in a world that is going by so fast that finding patience is becoming a lost art. However, one of the best ways to be patient is to carry on with life, knowing God is in control...not you. I will say it one more time, “...
hopeSeptember 26, 2022
Joy Beyond Circumstances: Jesus Has Overcome the World
Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble…”That’s almost like a disclaimer for life on earth , you are going to have trouble, whether you are in Christ or not. But the hope that we have is what separates us from the world, and that is why Jesus goes on to say, “But take hear...
perseveranceSeptember 23, 2022
Pressing On: Moving Forward from Failure
Short and sweet going into the weekend…This life isn’t easy, in fact it’s hard. We all have struggled and we all have failed but we must move on...“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I...
perseveranceAugust 26, 2022
When Prayers Seem Unanswered: Finding Hope in Perseverance
Have you been praying for something for a long time and it hasn’t happened yet? I think at times we all have. Look, we all know that life isn't always easy, I dig it. And more so for a Christian who wants to live a life contrary to the world's philosophies. Sometimes it is tempting to throw in th...
gods-presenceAugust 4, 2022
Never Alone: God's Presence in Hard Times
This has been a great week for me, and I hope you too, for digging deep into God’s word and focusing on being intentional about my gratitude. I feel like we have had some great discussions about when and where God is in good times and in bad. But there’s a little something more I’d like to talk a...
gods-planJuly 14, 2022
His Plan, Not Ours: Growing Through Suffering
You ever notice that when we finally get out of whatever it is we are suffering from it never seems to be the way we thought we would get out of it? Like during our suffering we could never understand or see the way out that God has for us. It’s because it’s His plan for us not our plan for us. H...
wisdomJune 6, 2022
Ask for Wisdom: God's Generous Gift in Hard Times
Alright, so you are probably asking yourself, after Friday’s message, “how exactly am I supposed to stay rejoicing during these hard times?” Well, I hear you and I get it. James is telling us to rejoice during our times of struggle because this faith produces perseverance. The Bible teaches us th...
trialsJune 3, 2022
Count It All Joy: Finding Purpose in Trials
Aight, look here…we all know people who are going through a rough season in their life. Heck, you may be too.While I certainly feel empathy, I can’t help but reflect on the fact the If you live long enough in this world, you will inevitably go through some kind of suffering. But as Christians, yo...
friendshipMay 17, 2022
Hold On to True Friendships - We Need Each Other
Hold on to those friendships. A true friend is a blessing. I believe that the Lord Jesus wants me to encourage you to look after your friendships and not neglect them, nor take them for granted!We need each other, especially in these turbulent times in which we are living. In the book of Ecclesia...
sufferingMay 6, 2022
The Vagrant Faith: Owning Nothing, Having Everything
This has been an extremely difficult week for me. I’ve felt some of the lowest lows due to pain from treatment and the highest high from the relief. Yet for some reason, it’s given me pause to think about things I’m fighting to hang on to and things I need to let go. What are you trying to hang o...
afflictionMay 2, 2022
Finding Purpose in Pressure: Relying on God
Let keep digging into 2 Corinthians;“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us...