Suffering and How God Helps Us Have The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

 I would like to start off with a quote that says, Every trial of Suffering is an opportunity to grow in the Faith. 

I wanted to start with that quote because it brings me to the first scripture we are going to be looking at in 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 12. 

The next scripture we will look at is James chapter 1 verse 12.  The last two scriptures I want us to take a look at are Hebrews chapter two verse 10 and 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 21. 

In the scriptures we see that even though we go through suffering, and trials, these are things that God puts in our paths so that we can have our hearts, eyes, and mind open to know that with Him nothing is Impossible and all things will come and work together for His good and for His Glory.

I would like to share a song with you called Through Suffering. The line I would like to share says this, It is through suffering I find the strength I need, it is through suffering, I know that you're faithful so even when I don't see the change around me, God I know you're changing me. You're changing my heart, because you're the only way.

So as we look back at the scriptures, we see God is the only way to help us through difficult times and the struggles that we may not always want to face. 

Last week we remember the scripture that says, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future. 

When we take a scripture like that, and we look back at what we read tonight, we begin to see that the trials we face in life are not to harm us, but to give us hope for a future that God is planning for our lives. 

We are warriors, and we were made in His Image for a purpose. So while we may think the things we go through are difficult, God reminds us that He has a plan for every single one of us.

I would like to share another quote that says, In the midst of the storms and suffering... God Is Working.

My question for all of you is, how have you seen God work through you in your life when you were facing a difficult trial and how did God help you overcome it?

Thank you all for sharing, before we pray I would like to share three last things with you.

Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, It is the presence of God.

The prayer of faith is a prayer of trust. The very essence of faith is trust. 

The Peace Of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.