Thrive – healthy and growing in all areas of your life.
When has life been hard?
a. Jesus said that we would have trouble. There would be hard times.
i. John 16:33b NLT – Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Big Idea: God is building your character through hard times.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6: 4-10 NLT – 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
What do you do when your life gets hard?
a. You Keep going!
i. 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NLT –4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.
ii. Acts 20:21 NLT – 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
iii. Isaiah 50:7 NLT – 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.
b. Continue to set the example!
i. God is working through your life and example.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7 NLT – 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us.
1 Timothy 4:12 NLT – 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Philippians 3:17 NIV – 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
2 Corinthians 6:8a NLT – 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV – Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
c. Keep a Positive Attitude
i. 2 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT – 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
ii. Philippians 4:8 NIV – 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Where is God building your character today?
a. Romans 5:3-4 NLT – 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Next Steps
i. Memorize: John 16:33b NLT – Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
ii. Evaluate: Am I a good example for people to follow?
iii. Action: Focus on the good things that God is doing in the midst of the chaos of your life.