What Does Psalm 27 Say
Psalm 27 1
The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
What Does The Bible Say About 5 Challenges Many Are Facing
We are living through some crazy times: pandemics, political unrest, weve even had Saharan Desert sand storms in the U.S. Its no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed and keep asking whats next? When were backed against a wall, exhausted, and not sure who to trust we can easily fall into traps of despair. Were going to use the HelpFinder Bible to find out what the Bible says about 5 common responses during times of confusion and pain. This is not an exhaustive study, but a good start to find out what Gods Word says about being angry, when were anxious, living in fear, dealing with grief, and how to respond when we are called to love those we dont like.
Anxiety: Pressures in our lives can build and pull us in different directions. These pressures pull against our sense of well-being, and anxiety begins to overwhelm us. Trying to do too much work with too little time or too few resources can stretch us beyond our capacity. Trying to cope with the financial demands of life without adequate income can make us begin to feel desperate. Difficulties in marital relationships, in parent-child relationships, or in work relationships can lead to deep anxiety and a sense of hopelessness. What is the answer? We need a perspective that comes from God. And we also need the help of wise counselors and friends who God can use to bring us his presence, wisdom, and hope.
What can I do when Im overwhelmed by anxiety?
How do I deal with loss in my life?
What Does The Bible Say About Adversity
Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Deuteronomy 31:6,8 Be strong and bold have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you he will not fail you or forsake you.
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What Are Gods Purposes For Allowing Adversity In My Life
James the Apostle recommended a surprising response to troubles: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing .
The Apostle Paul expressed a similar perspective on adversity: We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly .
These men understood that in light of what Christ did for us by providing salvation, the difficulties we experience in this life take on new meaning. They are a means through which God works to accomplish His will in our lives: to shape us so that we reflect the character of Christ. On the basis of this purpose, all adversity works together for our good and Gods glory.
Adversity gets our attention.
When adversity comes, we are forced to face problems and pressures that are too big for us to resolve. In this way, God gets our attention. We cant continue to pursue our goals, tasks, and relationships in the same manner. We have to stop and evaluate our situation, ask God for wisdom, obey His Word, and trust Him to bring the help we need.
Adversity reminds us of our weaknesses.
Adversity exposes pride.
Is Adversity Good Or Bad
A recent report, Whatever Does Not Kill Us: Cumulative Lifetime Adversity, Vulnerability, and Resilience in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that yes, when bad experiences happen we do suffer from mental, physical, and spiritual pain but in that suffering many of us develop a greater
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Focus On Your Relationship With Christ
Though you have not seen him, youlovehim and even though you do not see him now, youbelieveinhimandarefilledwithaninexpressibleandgloriousjoy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls .1 Peter 1:89
Peter, in speaking to these Christians, says they are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy because of their love and belief in Christ. How can this bring joy? It brings joy because it is in the midst of the trial that we see Christ and know him more. It is this loving relationship with Christ that allows us to endure and have joy in trial or tribulation.
I cannot help but think about Jacob and Rachel. As you know in that story, Jacob served Laban for seven extra years to receive Rachel. Genesis 29:20 says: So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, buttheyseemedlikeonlyafewdaystohimbecauseofhislovefor her .
It was hard work to serve for her, but it felt like only a few days because of love. Many people have experienced this in the midst of trials. Itistherelationshipsaroundusthatoftenenableustoendurehardtimes. There is often a bonding that happens with others while going through hardship together.
Trials can create a tremendous intimacy. Many have experienced this in athletics or the military, as they have gone through both joys and difficulties with those around them. There is a deep intimacy created, which is often hard to replicate apart from the experience of trials.
What Does Adversity Mean In The Bible
adverse or unfavorable fortune or fate a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress: Friends will show their true colors in times of adversity. an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance: You will meet many adversities in life.
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James : 12 For The Crown Of Life
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Every accomplishment you receive in life comes from perseverance.
When you learn to walk, read, graduate college, parent, manage your finances, lose weight, run a 5k.chances are, those didnt come easily.
Perseverance is a skill that certainly takes discipline, but blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.
The Recipients Of This Epistle
James 1:1b
To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings!
One final word of introduction is necessary, pertaining to the recipients of this epistle. James addresses this work to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad. By this I understand that he is writing primarily to Jewish Christians who have been dispersed from Jerusalem. In Acts 2:9-11, we read of all the distant places Jews had come from to observe the Feast of Pentecost. These folks had already been dispersed abroad, before the death of our Lord. When we come to Acts 8:1, we read of the persecution that resulted from the stoning of Stephen, and we are told they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Surely when Jewish converts to Christ dispersed to far away places there were many questions that these new believers needed to have answered. We need to view this epistle as having been written during a very critical transitional period in the history of the church. This is at a time when Old Testament Jewish saints have come to faith in the Messiah, aware that they are living in a new dispensation, and that they are now participants in the New Covenant. How are Jewish Christians to relate their faith in Jesus Christ to their Jewish heritage? These things James begins to deal with from a Jewish perspective. Paul will also explore these matters from a more gentile-oriented point of view.
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Bible Verses About Life Struggles: Overcoming Adversity Scriptures
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
The first time I read this part of the scriptures, I was amazed.
These are the words of Jesus Christ, our savior.
There are no better words for reassuring a dwindling faith, especially in this wicked world.
Sometimes, you feel so downhearted that you are broken up in pieces and have no hope.
But that is what life is about To make you struggle.
I have had my own share of temptations too. And by Gods grace, I stood firm.
In the past four years, I have been involved in various startups.
I had to raise so much money, including my savings for some form of business.
Yet, despite all efforts, my business crashed.
I was completely devastated, but knew within me, that God would make a way.
I know youve also had your own share of temptations. But stand firm.
This world is run by the devil.
His plan, as you know, is to make a man suffer unnecessarily
But you will overcome if you persevere and have faith in God.
Think about it this way If Christ can be persecuted, why wont I?
Jesus was mocked, beaten, abuse, and degraded in the pubic domain. He was shamed and killed.
If Christ now lives in Glory, will he forsake you?
I have compiled bible verses about life struggles and overcoming adversity that will inspire you today.
Correcting Jewish Misconceptions Regarding Adversity
James chapter 1 deals with the way the Christian should handle adversity. His teaching should be understood against the backdrop of some false assumptions held by many Jews, including our Lords disciples. Based upon Gods covenant promises with Israel , individual Jews were inclined to expect God to invariably bless them materially in response to pious living. Conversely, they expected that those who did evil were to experience divine discipline in various forms. In short, they expected God to bless them for doing good and to punish others for their sin.
We see this mindset revealed by Jobs friends in the Book of Job. In truth, Job was being tested with adversity because of his piety, and not because of sin . Jobs friends persisted in trying to force him to confess that his suffering was the result of some sin he had committed. If he but forsook his sin, they insisted, then God would again bless him. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, had the same assumptions about prosperity and poverty, and he was frustrated and angry with God because the wicked appeared to prosper while the pious did not . Even our Lords disciples bought into this thinking. When they came upon the man who was born blind, they revealed their wrong assumptions when they asked the Master, Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents? . James is going to give a very different perspective on the Christians attitude toward adversity.
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Secrets To Joy In The Midst Of Trials
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faithof greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by firemay be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 1:69
ApplicationQuestion: What are common responses to suffering?
In this epistle, Peter is writing to Christians that are spread throughout Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. They had been scattered because of the persecution coming from Rome. These believers were being persecuted for following Christ they were being persecuted for being different. He writes to encourage them. Listen to what he says in 1 Peter 1:6: In this yougreatlyrejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffergrief in all kinds of trials .
What is the secret to joy in trials? Whats the secret for a Christian to have joy while suffering through bankruptcy, cancer or even a lost child? Is it realistic that both joy and grief can exist together?
In this study, we will see sixsecrets to having joy in the midst of trials.
Uplifting Bible Verses For Times Of Adversity
Sometimes you must go through the valley to reach the top of the mountain. Figuratively, the valley is what we call the times of adversity. These are those times when you may have some questions for your Heavenly Father. The hard times are when you should draw nigh unto God He wants to hear from you . In adversity I often call to mind a memory verse. One of my favorite memory verses in the valley is one that was written by the weeping prophet, Jeremiah: It is of the LORDs mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul therefore will I hope in him.
Take a look at these twenty uplifting Bible verses for times of adversity I pray that you are encouraged.
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Deuteronomy : 8 Youre Not Doing This Alone
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
One of the lies we often believe when we feel stuck is that we are alone in this.
Nobody else understands how hard this is. Nobody else has been in this situation. Nobody else feels my pain. No one gets it.
God promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. Just because you are going through a tough time doesnt mean He has abandoned you.
God is with you, always!
Who Is The Holy Spirit
He is The Creator Spirit, present before the creation of the universe and through his power everything was made in Jesus Christ, by God the Father. For the majority of Christian denominations, the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is Almighty God.
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Trials Sometimes Are Necessary Toprotectusfromsin
What does that mean? Let me explain through the illustration of Paul and his thorn in the flesh.
Second Corinthians 12:7 says: Tokeepmefrombecomingconceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me . We are not sure what this thorn in the flesh was. God has chosen not reveal it. I have no doubt that God did this so that we could apply it to any trial we experience, whether sickness, depression or demonic persecutions. Whatever Pauls trial, it was given to him because of the surpassing great revelations he had received from God.
In the previous verses , Paul had talked about how he was taken to heaven and saw visions and things he could not speak about. These would make any person proud. If Satan, who was originally an angel without a sin nature, fell into pridehow much more likely a human who was exalted to write near half of the New Testament? In order that he would not become proud, God humbled him through a demonic affliction. It does not say Paul was prideful, but God was saving him from the sin of pride through this humbling experience. Maybe that is why God touched Jacobs thigh and caused him to limp after wrestling with God and prevailing. Maybe that was why God allowed Peter to go through such a humbling trial at the cross since he would be the Lords chief Apostle.
The trial given to Paul was a work of grace to keep him from the sin of pride.
Philippians : 13 You Can Do Hard Things
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
One of the things we tell women all the time in our Faithful Finish Lines program is, You can do hard things.
You can be sure of that! And the best news of all is that it doesnt depend on you.
Its all because of Christ in you.
Dont feel good enough? Its okay, God makes you more than enough.
Dont feel strong enough? Its okay, God gives you all the strength you need.
Dont feel like you have enough energy? God renews strength.
God will fill in all of your not enoughs with his abundant provision.
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Bible Verses About Overcoming Obstacles
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
This world were living in today is filled with hate and violence. Satan has done a great job turning people against each other. But guess what my beautiful friends?! The Lord is still on our side.
In spite of what mankind can do to you, call on Him to give you the strength, faith and courage to get you through and if you believe He will, He absolutely will. Dont let the negativity and hatred of this world get you down. Look to Jesus, who gave His life as a ransom for your sins. Let Him comfort you and help you in overcoming struggles in life.
John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.
Yes, my sweet friend, Jesus has overcome the painful death on the cross at Calvary. Jesus was buried for 3 days and then He was resurrected. He overcame so that we can have everlasting life forever with Him in Glory if we accept Him as our Savior. Our peace comes from the saving grace of God through Jesus.