Overcoming The Challenges
Introduction
Quote:
God’s light shines the brightest through the cracks in our stories.
#ShareYourStory #NoFiltersJustFaith #SundaysAtTheHarvest
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. —Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Three Common Struggles To Embracing My Story:
1. The Struggle To
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. —Acts 9:1-5 (KJV)
Quote:
God didn’t call you to fit in; He called you to stand out.
#ShareYourStory #NoFiltersJustFaith #SundaysAtTheHarvest
24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, ‘Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.’” —1 Samuel 15:24 (NLT)
Quote:
Trying to fit in will keep you small, but stepping into your calling will stretch your faith.
#ShareYourStory #NoFiltersJustFaith #SundaysAtTheHarvest
2. The Struggle To Hide
7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man[a] and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. —Genesis 3:7-11 (NLT)5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
6 Then David sent word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. 8 Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. —2 Samuel 11:5-8 (NLT)
Quote:
God does His best work with broken pieces.
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3. The Struggle To Remain
10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” —Exodus 4:10-12 (NLT)
Quote:
Fear will keep your story locked inside you, but faith will set it free.
#ShareYourStory #NoFiltersJustFaith #SundaysAtTheHarvest
See God’s Purpose in My Challenges
People may admire your
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” —John 20:27 (NLT)
Quote:
God doesn’t waste pain; He repurposes it.
#ShareYourStory #NoFiltersJustFaith #SundaysAtTheHarvest
Conclusion
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. —Romans 8:28 (NLT)
My Next Steps:
- List three expectations of people that are holding me back in my life?
- Identity one struggle or failure that I have been afraid to acknowlegde.
- Write down a difficult moment from my past and look for how God has used or can use it to help others.
My Upcoming Events:
Wednesday Online Prayer Gathering
Next Week’s Message: Finding Redemption
Resurrection Seed Offering: Sunday, April 20, 2025